Ion transport in rat-liver slices

Abstract

Rat-liver slices lose K when leached in cold saline solution, and reaccumulate K when incubated in warm oxygenated Ringer solution. The maximum rate of accumulation is about 5m-equiv. of K/kg dry weight/minute. After the initial 10 minutes of incubation Na loss and K uptake are in a 1:1 ratio. In the first 10 minutes of incubation no K accumulates, but much Na and water are lost. Conditions necessary for a sustained uptake of K to take place are described; [alpha]-tocopherol must be given to rats 24 hours before they are killed.