CHANGES IN POTASSIUM AND SODIUM CONCENTRATIONS IN LIVER SLICES ACCOMPANYING INCUBATION IN VITRO

Abstract

When rat liver is sliced and incubated in a bicarbonate-Ringer medium, there is an initial loss of K of considerable magnitude from these slices, reaching a maximum about 15 min. after slicing. There is a secondary rise of K concn. in the liver slices to a level approx. 80% of the control. Concomitantly, there is a decrease in the fluid K concn. When glycolysis is inhibited by NaF or when the tissue is injured by anaerobic incubation, there is a greater initial loss and a failure of the secondary rise of K to appear. An external K concn. of approx. 34 mM/l. causes a return of slice K at 1 hr. to approx. the control level. Na concns. are inversely related to the K concns.