Table 1.
Effect of compatible osmolytes on cell growth under hypertonic conditions
| Cell density (μg protein cm−2) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Addition | Isotonic | Hypertonic |
| None | 51.0 ± 3.4 (6) | 18.8 ± 1.5 (6) |
| Betaine +myo-inositol + taurine | 49.7 ± 1.5 (3) | 32.8 ± 2.3 (3) |
| Betaine +myo-inositol | — | 34.5 ± 1.9 (4) |
| Betaine + taurine | — | 32.7 ± 2.2 (4) |
| myo-Inositol + taurine | — | 32.8 ± 1.4 (4) |
| Betaine | — | 30.2 ± 2.6 (4) |
| myo-Inositol | — | 27.3 ± 1.4 (4) |
| Taurine | — | 26.7 ± 0.2 (4) |
Endothelial cells were cultured for 24 h in isotonic (0.3 osmol (kg H2O)−1) medium depleted of potential compatible osmolytes and then for a further 56 h under the conditions noted above. The hypertonic medium was about 0.5 osmol (kg H20)−1 and, when added, each osmolyte (betaine, myo-inositol or taurine) was present at 0.1 mmol l−1. Cell growth was then estimated by measurement of cell protein. The values given are means (±s.d.) of the number of independent measurements indicated in brackets.