The existence of chloride/bicarbonate exchange across the basolateral membrane and its physiologic significance were examined in rabbit proximal tubules. S2 segments of the proximal straight tubule were perfused in vitro and changes in intracellular pH (pHi) and chloride activity (aCli) were monitored by double-barreled microelectrodes. Total peritubular chloride replacement with gluconate incr...

In the mature brain, the neurotransmitter GABA can cause a postsynaptic hyperpolarization via activation of chloride permeant GABAA receptor channels. This hyperpolarizing response critically depends on chloride extrusion via the KCl-cotransporter KCC2 [1]. Its knockdown in mice impairs synaptic inhibition by changing the electrochemical potential for chloride and thus increases neuronal excita...

The production of concentration P.D.'s across the skin of the frog is very intimately related to the pH of the applied solutions. On the alkaline side of an isoelectric point the dilute solution is electropositive; on the acid side this solution becomes electronegative. When the pH is suddenly lowered from a value more alkaline than this isoelectric point to one considerably more acid the chang...

The protoplasm of certain cells is able to distinguish electrically between K(+) and Na(+). This has been called the potassium effect. This is illustrated by experiments with Nitella. When 0.01 M KCl which has stood in contact with Nitella is replaced by 0.01 M NaCl the P.D. changes in a positive direction by an amount which varies between 30 and 95 mv. This ability to distinguish between K(+) ...

Introduction Hypokalemia is a common electrolyte disturbance in the ICU, which makes potassiumchloride (KCl) suppletion a frequent necessity. Parenteral KCl suppletion is mostly used in critically ill patients, but it is associated with safety risks, such as overcorrection and line-infections. Enteral KCl suppletion could be a safe and effective alternative in many instances. However, it is not...

We present a review, largely based on recent experimental work of our group, on phase transitions at interfaces of fluid metals, alloys and ionic liquids. After a brief analysis of possible experimental errors and limitations of surface sensitive methods, we first deal with first-order wetting transitions at the liquid/vapour and liquid/wall interface in systems such as Ga-based alloys, K-KCl m...

We have used peptide-directed antibodies to each major renal Na transporter and channel proteins to screen renal homogenates for changes in Na transporter protein expression after initiation of dietary NaCl restriction. After equilibration on a NaCl-replete diet (2.0 meq. 200 g body wt(-1). day(-1)), rats were switched to a NaCl-deficient diet (0.02 meq. 200 g body wt(-1). day(-1)). Na excretio...

If swelling of a cell is induced by a decrease in external medium tonicity, the regulatory response is more complex than if swelling of similar magnitude is due to salt uptake. The present results provide an explanation. In fish erythrocytes, two distinct transport pathways were swelling activated: a channel of broad specificity and a K+-Cl-cotransporter. Each was activated by a specific signal...