Rat Aortic Electrolytes After Incubation in Plasma or in Saline

Abstract

When rat aortas are incubated in saline, the intracellular concentrations of sodium and potassium rise significantly. Incubation in plasma does not prevent this ionic shift : on the contrary, the intracellular sodium concentration is significantly higher when the aorta is incubated in plasma than when it is incubated in saline. These findings show a difference between smooth and striated muscle, as incubation of the latter in plasma prevents the ionic shifts found after incubation in saline.