THE DIFFUSION OF RADIOACTIVE SODIUM INTO THE MUSCLES OF POTASSIUM-DEPRIVED RATS

Abstract

In the muscles of K-deprived rats there occurs an extensive replacement of K by Na, and most of the muscle Na is intracellular. By means of studies with the radioactive isotope it was found that this intracellular Na exchanges readily with the sodium of the plasma. Normally, the membranes of muscle cells are considered to be impermeable to Na. Small changes were found in the K content of spleen, kidney and heart of K-deprived rats. The pathological changes in various tissues were studied.