Distribution of Potassium in Liver, Kidney and Brain of the Rat and Guinea Pig

Abstract

Approximately 65-80% of the K in the liver, kidney, and brain in the guinea pig and rat were found in the soluble fraction of the cytoplasm, a smaller quantity in the mitochondrial fraction (15-30%). The values presented were minimal and probably higher in the intact cell. It is suggested that the K present in the mitochondria may be the slow exchanging or non-exchangeable fraction found in studies on the uptake of radioactive K by the brain and kidney.