Biomedical subjects

S R Gullans

Publications and source records attributed to S R Gullans.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

Modulation of osmolytes in MDCK cells by solutes, inhibitors, and vasopressin.

MDCK cells accumulate organic osmolytes in response to hyperosmotic NaCl-supplemented medium. We examined time course and inhibitor sensitivity of myo-inositol, sorbitol, and glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC) accumulation in MDCK cells exposed to hyperosmotic NaCl-, D-glucose-, or mannitol-supplemented media. In NaCl medium, cells preferentially accumulated inositol and GPC. In comparison, in glucose medium cells preferentially accumulated sorbitol and GPC. Inositol demonstrated a late (72-96 h) accumulation in glucose medium, although less than in NaCl medium. Mannitol medium did not significantly stimulate accumulation of any of these three osmolytes at 24 h, suggesting that hyperosmolality alone is not sufficient stimulus for their accumulation in this time frame. GPC accumulation was very rapid in glucose medium, and fell to the level induced by NaCl medium at 96 h (approximately 50 nmol/mg protein). Inositol and sorbitol accumulated more gradually, each reaching greater than 400 nmol/mg protein after 96 h. Sorbitol was still accumulating at 96 h, whereas inositol plateaued at 72-96 h. Phlorizin or sorbinil blocked accumulation of inositol or sorbitol, respectively. Sorbitol and GPC accumulation in glucose medium were partially inhibited in absence of serum or in presence of 1 microM vasopressin. Thus NaCl and glucose appear to stimulate specific cellular mechanisms responsible for accumulation of inositol, sorbitol, and GPC in MDCK cells. This accumulation is also modulated by constituents of serum.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Early effects of uranyl nitrate on respiration and K+ transport in rabbit proximal tubule.

The mechanisms by which uranyl nitrate (UN) is toxic to the proximal tubule are incompletely understood. To define these further we studied potassium (K+) transport and oxygen consumption (QO2) in rabbit proximal tubule suspensions in vitro immediately after exposure to UN using extracellular O2- and K+-sensitive electrodes. UN caused a cumulative dose-dependent inhibition of proximal tubule QO2, with a threshold concentration of 5 x 10(-5) M. Kinetic analysis suggested two patterns of cell injury: a higher affinity inhibition of QO2 with a Ki of 5 x 10(-4) M, and a lower affinity inhibition of QO2 with a Ki of 10 mM. QO2 was studied in detail in the presence of these Ki concentrations of UN to define the initial cellular events. The results indicated that different cellular processes displayed different sensitivities to UN. At submillimolar concentrations UN caused progressive selective inhibition of ouabain-insensitive QO2 (15% inhibition at 2 minutes). Ouabain-sensitive QO2 and nystatin-stimulated QO2 were not affected, suggesting that Na+,K+-ATPase activity and its coupling to mitochondrial ATP synthesis were intact. Direct measurement of proximal tubule net K+ flux confirmed that Na+,K+-ATPase activity was unchanged. Similarly, UN did not inhibit basal (state 4) or ADP-stimulated (state 3) mitochondrial QO2 in digitonin-permeabilized tubules, confirming that the mitochondria were intact. In contrast, higher concentrations of UN (greater than or equal to 1 mM) caused rapid inhibition of QO2 and net K+ efflux, due to inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase activity and mitochondrial injury.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed1989

Coordinated regulation of intracellular K+ in the proximal tubule: Ba2+ blockade down-regulates the Na+,K+-ATPase and up-regulates two K+ permeability pathways.

To avoid large changes in cell K+ content and volume during variations in Na+,K+-ATPase activity, Na+-transporting epithelia must adjust the rate of K+ exit through passive permeability pathways. Recent studies have shown that a variety of passive K+ transport mechanisms may coexist within a cell and may be functionally linked to the activity of the Na+,K+-ATPase. In this study, we have identified three distinct pathways for passive K+ transport that act in concert with the Na+,K+-ATPase to maintain intracellular K+ homeostasis in the proximal tubule. Under control conditions, the total K+ leak of the tubules consisted of discrete Ba2+-sensitive (approximately 65%), quinine-sensitive (approximately 20%), and furosemide-sensitive (approximately 10%) pathways. Following inhibition of the principal K+ leak pathway with Ba2+, the tubules adaptively restored cell K+ content to normal levels. This recovery of cell K+ content was inhibited, in an additive manner, by quinine and furosemide. Following adaptation to Ba2+, the tubules exhibited a 30% reduction in Na+-K+ pump rate coupled with an increase in K+ leak by means of the quinine-sensitive (approximately 70%) and furosemide-sensitive (approximately 280%) pathways. Thus, the proximal tubule maintains intracellular K+ homeostasis by the coordinated modulation of multiple K+ transport pathways. Furthermore, these results suggest that, like Ba2+, other inhibitors of K+ conductance will cause compensatory changes in both the Na+-K+ pump and alternative pathways for passive K+ transport.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Cellular pathways of potassium transport in renal inner medullary collecting duct.

The dominant K+ transport pathways in rabbit inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells were identified using an extracellular K+ electrode and fluorometric estimates of membrane potential. Ba2+ (5 mM) caused an initial rate of net K+ influx (61 +/- 6 nmol K+.min-1. mg protein-1) equivalent to the net K+ efflux (59 +/- 5 nmol K+. min-1.mg protein-1) induced by ouabain (0.1 mM). Addition of ouabain to Ba2+ -treated cells caused no net K+ flux. Membrane potential experiments demonstrated a K+ conductance that was inhibited by Ba2+. Thus K+ transport in the IMCD occurs principally via Ba2+ -sensitive K+ conductive pathway(s) and Na+-K+-ATPase. In studies that examine the metabolic determinants of K+ transport in the IMCD, glucose (but not 3-O-methylglucose) augmented oxygen consumption (QO2; + 12%) and cell K+ content (+12%), whereas iodoacetic acid, an inhibitor of glycolysis, promoted a release of cell K+. However, inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation with rotenone demonstrated that glycolysis alone could not maintain cell K+ content. Thus glucose metabolism plays an important role in K+ transport in the IMCD, but both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation are required to maintain optimal cellular K+ gradients.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

PubMed1989

Extracellular Na+ electrode for monitoring net Na+ flux in cell suspensions.

A computer-linked extracellular sodium-sensitive electrode system is described that is suitable for the routine measurement of net Na+ transport in cell suspensions. The commercially available Na+ electrode exhibited high selectivity for Na+ over other cations and a rapid response time (less than 3 s). This system resolved changes of 0.4 mM in the presence of 147 mM extracellular Na+. Measurements of Na+ transport in suspensions of rabbit proximal tubules showed that ouabain caused a dose-dependent net Na+ influx with an inhibitor constant (Ki) of 2.5 +/- 0.2 microM and a maximal velocity (Vmax) of 229 +/- 7 nmol Na+.min-1.mg protein-1. This compared favorably with the ouabain-induced K+ efflux (Ki = 2.4 microM; Vmax = 160 +/- 3.3 nmol K+.min-1.mg protein-1) and the ouabain-induced inhibition of respiration (Ki = 3.3 microM; Vmax = 11.8 nmol O2.min-1.mg protein-1). In addition, Ba2+, a K+ channel blocker known to depolarize the cell, caused a net Na+ efflux, whereas glucose, a Na+-cotransported solute, promoted a net Na+ influx. This system should be a powerful tool for continuous monitoring of net Na+ fluxes in cell suspensions.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Endothelin, a peptide inhibitor of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in intact renaltubular epithelial cells.

Endothelin, a potent vasoconstrictor released by vascular endothelial cells, can induce natriuresis in vivo. These studies examined the regulation of Na+ transport by endothelin in suspensions of rabbit proximal tubule (PT) and inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells. Endothelin reduced oxygen consumption (QO2) by 18 +/- 1% in IMCD cells but did not alter QO2 in PT cells. In IMCD cells, endothelin inhibited QO2 half maximally at approximately 5 x 10(-12) M. Several lines of evidence indicate that endothelin reduces QO2 by inhibiting the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. 1) Endothelin gave no further inhibition of QO2 after ouabain and blunted the stimulatory effect of amphotericin B on QO2 (+29 +/- 4% in absence of endothelin, 0 +/- 5% in presence of endothelin; n = 6 preparations, P less than 0.001). 2) Endothelin inhibited ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake by 46.6 +/- 8.6% at 10 s and by 35.4 +/- 5.3% at 30 s without altering uptake at 60 min. 3) Addition of endothelin to IMCD cells induced a net K+ efflux with an initial rate of 32.2 +/- 4.8 nmol.min-1.mg protein-1, consistent with inhibition of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. In contrast to the response observed in intact cells, in permeabilized IMCD cells endothelin did not inhibit ouabain-sensitive ATPase. Several observations indicated that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) mediates endothelin inhibition of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity. 1) The response to endothelin was blocked by ibuprofen in assays of QO2, net K+ flux, and 86Rb+ uptake. 2) Endothelin and PGE2 gave equivalent, nonadditive inhibition of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Organic osmolytes in inner medulla of Brattleboro rat: effects of ADH and dehydration.

Inner medullary methylamine [glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC) and glycine betaine (betaine)] and polyol [sorbitol and myo-inositol (inositol)] osmolytes were measured in water-restricted and antidiuretic hormone (ADH)-infused Brattleboro (DI) rats. Compared with DI rats allowed water ad libitum, rats dehydrated for 3 days had higher urinary osmolality (Uosmol) (812 vs. 239 mosmol/kgH2O) and plasma osmolality (Posmol) (333 vs. 296 mosmol/kgH2O). Dehydration reduced betaine content (36 vs. 66 nmol/mg protein) but had no significant effect on GPC, sorbitol, or inositol. In separate protocols, DI rats, allowed water ad libitum, were infused for either 3 or 12 days with either ADH in saline (+ADH) or saline alone (-ADH). Compared with -ADH controls, 3- or 12-day ADH-infused rats were antidiuretic (Uosmol, 1,000-1,300 mosmol/kgH2O) but not dehydrated (Posmol, 297-300 mosmol/kgH2O). Three days of ADH infusion caused an increase in GPC (340%), betaine (80%), and sorbitol (248%) but not in inositol. After 12 days of ADH, further increases were observed in GPC (730%) and sorbitol (870%); inositol was also elevated (170%), whereas betaine was unchanged. Consequently, the total osmolyte content was significantly higher in +ADH than in -ADH [449 vs. 256 (3 days) and 778 vs. 199 (12 day) nmol/mg protein], whereas total osmolyte levels in dehydrated and control rats were similar (222 vs. 219 nmol/mg protein).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Characterization of the major brain osmolytes that accumulate in salt-loaded rats.

Previous studies demonstrated an accumulation of "idiogenic osmoles" in the brain with chronic salt loading. Amino acids are known to constitute a portion of these solutes, but the balance of the solutes has yet to be fully characterized. In the present study, 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and biochemical assays of rat brain were used to identify and quantify changes in organic solutes in two different animal models of hypernatremia: hypertonic salt loading and water deprivation. Five days of salt loading increased plasma sodium concentration (PNa) to 165 meq/l and 3 days of water deprivation increased PNa to 151 meq/l, compared with 141 meq/l in controls. Amino acids, methylamines, and polyols were all significantly higher in salt-loaded animals compared with controls. Specifically, higher contents of glutamine (+65%), glutamate (+27%), myo-inositol (+36%), phosphocreatine + creatine (PCr + Cr) (32%), glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC) (+75%), and choline (+114%) were observed. Sorbitol and betaine, osmolytes known to accumulate in the hypertonic inner medulla, were present in low amounts in the brain and were unchanged with salt loading. In contrast to the results with salt loading, no accumulation of brain organic solutes was detected after 3 days of water deprivation. Based on these findings, we propose that amino acids, methylamines, and polyols function as osmoregulatory solutes in the brains of salt-loaded rats in a manner similar to that observed in other biological systems, whereas 3 days of water deprivation is an insufficient stimulus for their accumulation.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1989

Methylamine and polyol responses to salt loading in renal inner medulla.

Methylamines and polyhydric alcohols (polyols) are major organic osmolytes of the mammalian renal inner medulla and have generally been noted to change in parallel with urine osmolality. In the present study, responses of inner medullary methylamines and polyols to 5 days of salt loading were investigated. Salt loading increased plasma sodium concentration and induced a saline diuresis that resulted in a significantly lower urine osmolality (Uosmol) in salt-loaded rats (1,246 mosmol) compared with controls (2,147 mosmol). Analysis of inner medullary organic osmolytes using 1H-NMR spectroscopy and biochemical assays indicated no significant change in total methylamines, total polyols, or total osmolytes with salt loading. However, there were marked changes in individual organic osmolytes. Renal inner medullary glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC) was 41% lower in salt-loaded rats, and was the only organic osmolyte that changed in parallel with Uosmol, which was 42% lower in this group. In contrast, glycine betaine (betaine) and sorbitol contents were elevated by 286% and 33%, respectively, with salt loading, and myo-inositol (inositol) was unchanged. These findings indicate selective renal inner medullary osmolyte responses to salt loading with only GPC varying directly with changes in urine osmolality.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Na+ and K+ fluxes stimulated by Na+-coupled glucose transport: evidence for a Ba2+-insensitive K+ efflux pathway in rabbit proximal tubules.

Addition of glucose or the nonmetabolizable analogue alpha-methyl-D-glucoside to rabbit proximal tubules suspended in a glucose- and alanine-free buffer caused a sustained increase in intracellular Na+ content (+43 +/- 7 nmol.(mg protein)-1) and a concomitant but larger decrease in K+ content (-72 +/- 11 nmol.(mg protein)-1). A component of the net K+ efflux was Ba2+ insensitive, and was inhibited by high (1 mM) but not low (10 microM) concentrations of the diuretics furosemide and bumetanide. The increase in intracellular Na+ content is consistent with the view that the increased rates of Na+ and water transport seen in the proximal tubule in the presence of glucose can be attributed (at least in part) to a stimulation of basolateral pump activity by an increased [Na+]i.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

PubMed1988

Silver ion (Ag+)-induced increases in cell membrane K+ and Na+ permeability in the renal proximal tubule: reversal by thiol reagents.

The initial mechanisms of injury to the proximal tubule following exposure to nephrotoxic heavy metals are not well established. We studied the immediate effects of silver (Ag+) on K+ transport and respiration with extracellular K+ and O2 electrodes in suspensions of renal cortical tubules. Addition of silver nitrate (AgNO3) to tubules suspended in bicarbonate Ringer's solution caused a rapid, dose-dependent net K+ efflux (Km = 10(-4) M, Vmax = 379 nmol K+/min/mg protein) which was not inhibited by furosemide, barium chloride, quinine, tetraethylammonium, or tolbutamide. An increase in the ouabain-sensitive oxygen consumption rate (QO2) (13.9 +/- 1.1 to 25.7 +/- 4.4 nmol O2/min/mg, P less than 0.001), was observed 19 sec after the K+ efflux induced by AgNO3 (10(-4) M), suggesting a delayed increase in Na+ entry into the cell. Ouabain-insensitive QO2, nystatin-stimulated QO2, and CCCP-uncoupled QO2 were not significantly affected, indicating preserved function of the Na+,K+-ATPase and mitochondria. External addition of the thiol reagents dithiothreitol (1 mM) and reduced glutathione (1 mM) prevented and/or immediately reversed the effects on K+ transport and QO2. We conclude that Ag+ causes early changes in the permeability of the cell membrane to K+ and then to Na+ at concentrations that do not limit Na+,K+-ATPase activity or mitochondrial function. These alterations are likely the result of a reversible interaction of Ag+ with sulfhydryl groups of cell membrane proteins and may represent initial cytotoxic effects common to other sulfhydryl-reactive heavy metals on the proximal tubule.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

A simple method for continuous measurement of the volume of cells in suspension.

A simple electrical method for continuous monitoring of the volume of cells in suspension is described. The procedure consists of placing cells in a medium containing an impermeant quaternary ammonium ion, such as tetramethylammonium (TMA), which behaves as an extracellular volume marker, and monitoring the activity of this ion with a quaternary ammonium ion-specific minielectrode. Changes in the activity of the cell impermeant TMA ion in the extracellular medium quantitatively reflect movements of water into, or out of, cells and, therefore, provide a direct measure of alterations in cell volume. A direct linear relation between the fractional decrease in rat red blood cell volume and the fractional increase in medium osmolality was observed using this method. The osmotically active water volume of these red blood cells, calculated from the slope of this relationship, was 73.6 +/- 0.7% of total cell volume, a value similar to that defined by other techniques. This method should be easily adaptable for use with virtually any type of separated cell, including epithelial cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Accumulation of major organic osmolytes in rat renal inner medulla in dehydration.

Osmotically active organic solutes, osmolytes, exist at high concentrations in the renal inner medulla; however, their modulation during antidiuresis remains largely undefined. Renal osmolyte levels were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and biochemical assays in perchloric acid extracts from normal and dehydrated (3 days) rats. Dehydration increased urine osmolality from 1,503 to 3,748 mosmol/kg and inner medullary urea content from 2,036 to 4,405 nmol/mg protein. In addition, inner medullary trimethylamines [glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC) and betaine] and polyhydric alcohols (inositol and sorbitol) significantly increased by 95 and 78%, respectively. Ninhydrin-positive substances (amino acids), although abundant, were unchanged. Renal cortex also contained GPC, betaine, and inositol but only inositol increased with dehydration. Analysis of correlations among inner medullary osmolytes showed that only GPC was consistently elevated by dehydration and was not directly correlated with the other osmolytes. In contrast, betaine and inositol contents were linearly related to each other and both tended to rise only when sorbitol content was unchanged. In conclusion, the major osmolytes in the rat renal inner medulla can increase during antidiuresis but they are regulated in a complex manner.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Locally formed dopamine inhibits Na+-K+-ATPase activity in rat renal cortical tubule cells.

Dopamine, generated locally from L-dopa, inhibits Na+-K+-ATPase in permeabilized rat proximal tubules under maximum transport rate conditions for sodium. To determine whether locally formed dopamine inhibits Na+-K+-ATPase activity in intact cortical tubule cells we studied the effect of L-dopa on ouabain-sensitive oxygen consumption rate (QO2) and 86Rb uptake in renal cortical tubule cell suspensions. L-Dopa (10(-4) M) did not affect ouabain-insensitive QO2 or mitochondrial respiration. However, L-dopa inhibited ouabain-sensitive QO2 in a concentration-dependent manner, with half-maximal inhibition (K0.5) of 5 x 10(-7) M and a maximal inhibition of 14.1 +/- 1.5% at 10(-4) M (P less than 0.05). L-Dopa also blunted the nystatin-stimulated QO2 in a concentration-dependent manner, with a K0.5 of 5 x 10(-8) M and a maximal inhibition of 21.8 +/- 1.2% at 10(-5) M (P less than 0.05), indicating that L-dopa directly inhibits Na+-K+-ATPase activity and not sodium entry. Ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake was also inhibited by L-dopa (16.0 +/- 2.4%, P less than 0.05). Carbidopa (10(-4) M), an inhibitor of the conversion of L-dopa to dopamine, eliminated the effect of L-dopa on ouabain-sensitive QO2 and 86Rb uptake, indicating that dopamine rather than L-dopa was the active agent. The finding that the L-dopa concentration-response curve was shifted to the left by one order of magnitude in the presence of nystatin suggests that the inhibitory effect is enhanced when the intracellular sodium concentration is increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Succinate alters respiration, membrane potential, and intracellular K+ in proximal tubule.

Succinate, a dicarboxylic acid, is an intermediate in the Krebs cycle that is transported and metabolized by the renal proximal tubule. It is also known to increase proximal tubule transport of phosphate and glucose but not fluid by unknown mechanisms. In the present study, succinate increased proximal tubule respiration in a dose-dependent manner, and a kinetic evaluation indicated that two separate processes were activated. A lower-affinity (Km = 0.9 mM), higher-capacity stimulation (Vmax increase of 49%) was attributed to a decrease in the mitochondrial coupling efficiency. A higher-affinity process (Km = 0.012 mM) was related to an apparent increase in ATP synthesis. The apparent increase in ATP synthesis was not associated with a change in Na+-K+-ATPase activity, however, but rather indicated a 49% increase in ion transport-independent ATP utilization. Basolateral membrane potential hyperpolarized by -7 mV in the presence of succinate, and this was related to an increase in the K+ transference number. Finally, 1 and 5 mM succinate promoted a net cellular uptake of K+, leading to an 11% increase in intracellular K+, which was not the result of an increase in Na+-K+-ATPase activity. Thus the cellular entry and metabolism of succinate promotes multiple changes in ion transport without altering Na+-K+-ATPase activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Measurement of Na+-K+ coupling ratio of Na+-K+-ATPase in rabbit proximal tubules.

A combination of 23Na nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and a K+-selective electrode was used to make simultaneous measurements of net Na+ and K+ fluxes across plasma membranes of rabbit renal proximal tubules after an abrupt stimulation of Na+-K+-ATPase. After a step in extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) from low to higher concentration (0.1-0.3 mM to 0.5-5.2 mM) at 25 degrees C, net extrusion of Na+ and uptake of K+ were observed. These fluxes were completely inhibited by ouabain (10(-3) M). Because initial rates of K+ uptake in presence or absence of Ba2+ (a known inhibitor of plasma membrane K+ conductance) were indistinguishable, net K+ flux was virtually unidirectional. Because suspension buffers contained neither glucose nor amino acids and the ratio of net Na+ and K+ fluxes (JNa and JK, respectively) was constant over a wide range of transmembrane Na+ gradients and absolute values of the JNa and JK, it is likely that changes in electrogenic or passive net fluxes across plasma membranes were insignificant in the first 30-45 s after the [K+]o step. Thus the ratio of these initial net Na+ and K+ fluxes corresponds closely to the Na+-K+ coupling ratio of the Na+-K+-ATPase. In 12 experiments, the measured Na+-K+-ATPase coupling ratio was 1.54 +/- 0.07 (SE). The coupling ratio was constant over a wide range of intracellular Na+ content, intracellular sodium concentration, [K+]o and transmembrane Na+ gradient. The coupling ratio also remained constant over an eightfold range of Na+-K+-ATPase rates.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Delta alkalinity: a simple method to measure cellular net acid-base fluxes.

Acid-base transport across cell plasma membranes is important for cell homeostasis and growth. Current techniques for quantitatively measuring net acid-base fluxes are generally limited by either assumptions concerning properties of intracellular compartments or use of poorly buffered, nonphysiological solutions. We adapted an approach from marine chemistry to quantitate net acid-base changes in standard physiological media that obviates these problems. This method is based on conservation of charge and involves a simple acid titration of the extracellular medium to an end point, the equivalence point, pHe. For standard physiological solutions containing buffers such as bicarbonate and phosphate, pHe exists in the range of pH 4.0-4.7 and is identified as the pH where dpH/dH+ is maximal in an HCl titration. By determining the quantity of H+ required to reach pHe, one can determine precisely total quantity of proton acceptors (alkalinity) present in physiological pH range. Alkalinity (in meq) is a relative measure of the charge capable of interacting with protons. We show that, unlike pH, changes in alkalinity (delta alkalinity) result only from net acid-base changes in medium. Therefore, by monitoring extracellular delta alkalinity associated with cell function, it is possible to quantitate precisely net acid-base fluxes. Moreover, through a second titration procedure, delta alkalinity can be divided into bicarbonate and nonbicarbonate fractions. As an example, we performed the first direct measurement of net Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange in intact human erythrocytes and observed a Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange ratio of 1.01 +/- 0.03. Overall, delta alkalinity measurements are applicable to numerous cell systems, can be performed with solutions containing a mixture of buffers at normal physiological concentrations (e.g., 25 mM HCO3- and 2 mM HPO4(-2), do not require corrections for CO2 diffusion or loss of CO2 from the solution, and avoid assumptions about intracellular or extracellular buffer properties.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

PubMed1985

23Na and 39K NMR studies of ion transport in human erythrocytes.

Ion transport in human erythrocytes was studied by 23Na and 39K NMR with an anionic paramagnetic shift reagent, Dy(P3O10)2(7-). The intra- and extracellular 23Na and 39K NMR signals were well separated (over 10 ppm) at 5 mM concentration of the shift reagent. The NMR visibility of the intracellular Na+ and K+ was determined to be 100% in human and duck erythrocytes. The intracellular ion concentrations were 8.1 +/- 0.8 mM Na+ (n = 7) and 110 +/- 12 mM K+ (n = 4) for fresh human erythrocytes. The ouabain-sensitive net Na+ efflux was 1.75 +/- 0.08 mmol/hr per liter of cells at 37 degrees C (n = 3). The gramicidin-induced ion transport in human erythrocytes was also studied by 23Na and 39K NMR or by simultaneous measurements of 23Na NMR and a K+-selective electrode. The time courses of the Na+ and K+ transport induced by the ionophore were biphasic. The initial rapid fluxes were due to an exchange of Na+ for K+, which were found to occur with a 1:1 stoichiometry. The subsequent slow components were the net Na+ and K+ effluxes rate-limited by the Cl- permeability and accompanied by a reduction in cell volume. The Cl- permeability determined from the NMR measurements of these slow fluxes was 3.2 +/- 0.5 X 10(-8) cm/sec at 25 degrees C (n = 4).

Biological Transport, Active↗