Influence of Calcium on Potassium Concentration in Rat Liver in Vitro

Abstract

Ca was necessary for the establishment and maintenance of the K gradient in rat liver slices. With the livers from fed rats, the reaction involving Ca was aerobic and proceeded in the absence of K. Subsequently, K, was gained by liver either aerobically or anaerobically, providing sufficient Ca was present. When K was gained by slices from fed rats, aerobic conditions were unnecessary for its maintenance. Liver slices from fed rats regained approximately 100% of the normal K content from low-K media provided Ca was present Slices from fasted rats gained only approximately 80% of the normal K content even in the presence of Ca. When such slices were placed in N they rapidly lost K. Ba could substitute for Ca whereas Sr was not as effective.