Air Ions and Physiological Function

Abstract

Although gaseous ions possess no obvious physical properties which would predict a capability to influence living cells or tissues they can be shown to produce functional changes. The physiological effects so far demonstrated are limited in extent. In the mammalian trachea air ion action appears to depend upon the release of bound 5-hydroxytryptamine by CO₂⁺ and upon O^--induced acceleration of its metabolic destruction.