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. 1974 Oct;242(2):307–319. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1974.sp010709

Changes of intracellular sodium and potassium ion concentrations in isolated rat superior cervical ganglia induced by depolarizing agents

D A Brown, C N Scholfield
PMCID: PMC1330669  PMID: 4455814

Abstract

1. Na and K contents of isolated rat superior cervical ganglia were measured by flame photometry, and intracellular Na and K concentrations ([Na]i and [K]i) calculated using Li and 35SO4 to determine extracellular space (e.c.s.).

2. Resting concentrations after 1-2 hr incubation at 25° C in normal Krebs solution were: [Na]i, 19·8 ± 0·9 m-mole (kg cell water)-1; [K]i, 192·7 ± 2·8 m-mole (kg cell water)-1 (mean ± S.E. of mean of thirty-five ganglia). Correction for losses during e.c.s. measurement gave 22 mM [Na]i and 207 mM [K]i as probable fresh concentrations.

3. Carbachol (180 μM for 4 min) increased [Na]i by 47·8 ± 2·9 m-mole (kg cell water)-1 and decreased [K]i by 54·6 ± 4·3 m-mole (kg cell water)-1. Maximal exchange with carbachol or nicotine (at ∼ 1 mM for 4 min) amounted to 80-100 m-mole (kg cell water)-1. On washing with Krebs solution containing 2·5 mM hexamethonium recovery of ionic concentrations occurred with a rate constant of 0·3-0·4 min-1.

4. Restitution of ganglionic Na and K after carbachol was inhibited by washing with K-free solution, and slowed by ouabain (0·14 mM), cyanide (2 mM) or cooling (Q10 2·7 between 17 and 27° C).

5. Equilibrium potentials for Na and K (ENa, EK) at rest were calculated to be +49 and -88 mV. At a membrane potential (Em) of -70 mV, the permeability ratio PNa:PK was calculated at 0·04:1 (assuming PCl:PK < 0·1).

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Selected References

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