scholarly journals Rapid Changes of Potassium Concentration at the Outer Surface of Exposed Single Neurons during Membrane Current Flow

1973 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Neher ◽  
H. D. Lux
Keyword(s):  
Potassium Concentration ◽  
Helix Pomatia ◽  
Membrane Current ◽  
Extracellular Potassium ◽  
Single Neurons ◽  
Extracellular Potassium Concentration ◽  
Quaternary Ammonium Ions ◽  
Concentration Changes ◽  
Snail Helix Pomatia ◽  
Short Time

K+-sensitive liquid ion-exchanger microelectrodes are shown to be capable of measuring concentration changes which occur on a millisecond time scale. However, some quaternary ammonium ions, such as tetraethylammonium and acetylcholine, are able to block electrode function when present in concentrations as low as 10-4 to 10-3 M. Changes in extracellular potassium concentration caused by spike activity or voltage clamp pulses of exposed single neurons of the snail Helix pomatia may be measured by these electrodes. Quantitative analysis shows that the total amount of excess potassium found in the vicinity of the cell a short time after a clamp pulse, is in relatively good agreement with the amount of potassium carried by the membrane current.

Extracellular potassium concentration in chronic alumina cream foci of cats

1984 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Heinemann ◽  
I. Dietzel
Keyword(s):  
Border Zone ◽  
Constant Current ◽  
Extracellular Potassium ◽  
Local Concentration ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Extracellular Potassium Concentration ◽  
Concentration Changes ◽  
K Concentration ◽  
Repetitive Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Normal Cortex

Changes in extracellular K+ concentration [( K+]o) were measured with ion-selective microelectrodes in chronic epileptic foci induced by topical application of A1(OH)3 cream on the sensorimotor cortex of cats. The foci were morphologically characterized by a scar surrounded by an area of marked gliosis. Base-line levels of [K+]o in gliotic tissue and its immediate border zone were comparable to those in normal cortical tissue. Peak levels of [K+]o obtained during repetitive electrical stimulation of the cortical surface and thalamic ventrobasal complex were only slightly enhanced with 11.6 mM in chronic foci and 10.8 mM in normal cortex. Iontophoretic K+ application into gliotic tissue was accompanied by slow negative potential shifts comparable to those observed in normal cortex. Passage of constant current through gliotic tissue caused local [K+]o changes in the vicinity of the current-passing electrode. Since these [K+]o changes were similar to those observed in normal tissue, it was concluded that the amount of transcellularly transported K ions was comparable in both tissues. Changes in the size of extracellular space (ES) were investigated by measuring local concentration changes of iontophoretically injected tetramethylammonium and choline ions. During stimulus-induced seizure activity, the ES shrank outside the gliotic area at sites of maximal [K+]o elevation, while it increased at sites within the gliotic tissue where [K+]o rises were smaller. The results suggest that the spatial buffer capacity of gliotic tissue for K+ is not severely impaired. Since the relationship between rises in [K+]o and subsequent undershoots at sites immediately bordering the gliotic tissue is comparable to that in normal cortex, the ability of this epileptic tissue for active K+ uptake appears to be unaffected. This conclusion is further supported by the observation that iontophoretically induced rises in [K+]o during undershoots are reduced to a similar extent as in normal cortex.

Disorders of potassium homeostasis

2010 ◽  
pp. 3831-3845 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Firth
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Potassium Concentration ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Extracellular Potassium ◽  
Normal Range ◽  
Critical Determinant ◽  
Potassium Homeostasis ◽  
Extracellular Potassium Concentration

The normal range of potassium concentration in serum is 3.5 to 5.0 mmol/litre and within cells it is 150 to 160 mmol/litre, the ratio of intracellular to extracellular potassium concentration being a critical determinant of cellular resting membrane potential and thereby of the function of excitable tissues....

Theoretical analysis of parameters leading to frequency modulation along an inhomogeneous axon

1976 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 909-923 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Parnas ◽  
S. Hochstein ◽  
H. Parnas
Keyword(s):  
Potassium Concentration ◽  
Single Step ◽  
Repetitive Firing ◽  
Extracellular Potassium ◽  
Pass Filter ◽  
Low Pass Filter ◽  
Extracellular Potassium Concentration ◽  
Spike Shape ◽  
Single Spike ◽  
Low Pass

1. Theoretical computations were conducted on a computer model of a segmented, nonhomogeneous axon to understand the mechanism of frequency block of conduction. 2. The model is based on the Hodgkin-Huxley equations modified in several ways to better describe the cockroach axon. We used cockroach parameters where available. 3. The increase in fiber radius was spread over a series of segments to approximate a taper. We found that a taper allows a larger overall increase in fiber diameter than a single step to be successfully passed. 4. We studied effects on a train of impulses. The modified equations included effects due to changes in extracellular potassium concentration resulting from the repetitive firing of the axon. 5. An increase in diameter which allows a single spike to pass blocks the subsequent impulses in a train at the taper if potassium concentration variability is introduced. This could explain the low-pass filter characteristics of axon constrictions. 6. Results of the model fit well with the experiemental spike shape and height. Data were computed for the refractory period and its dependence on the taper parameters.

Sodium dependence of carnitine transport in isolated perfused adult rat hearts

1983 ◽  
Vol 244 (2) ◽  
pp. H247-H252 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. C. Vary ◽  
J. R. Neely
Keyword(s):  
Potassium Concentration ◽  
Sodium Concentration ◽  
Extracellular Potassium ◽  
Extracellular Potassium Concentration ◽  
Rat Hearts ◽  
Carrier Mediated Transport ◽  
Physiological Serum ◽  
Carnitine Transport ◽  
Extracellular Sodium ◽  
Carnitine Concentration

In heart muscle, the intracellular carnitine concentration is approximately 40 times higher than the plasma carnitine concentration, suggesting the existence of an active transport process. At physiological serum carnitine concentrations (44 microM), 80% of total myocardial carnitine uptake occurs via a carrier-mediated transport system. The mechanism of this carrier-mediated transport was studied in isolated perfused rat hearts. Carnitine transport showed an absolute dependence on the extracellular sodium concentration. The rate of carnitine transport was linearly related to the perfusate sodium concentration at every perfusate carnitine concentration examined (15-100 microM). Total removal of extracellular sodium completely abolished the carrier-mediated transport. Decreasing the perfusate potassium concentration from a control of 5.9 to 0.6 mM stimulated transport by 35%, whereas increasing the extracellular potassium concentration from 5.9 to 25 mM reduced transport by 60%. The carrier-mediated transport was inversely proportional to the extracellular potassium concentration. Acetylcholine (10(-3) M), isoproterenol (10(-7) M), or ouabain (10(-3) did not alter the rate of carnitine transport. Addition of tetrodotoxin (10(-5) stimulated carnitine transport by about 40%, while gramicidin S (5 X 10(-6) M) decreased uptake by about 18% relative to control. The data provide evidence that carnitine transport by cardiac cells occurs by a Na+-dependent cotransport mechanism that is dependent on the Na+ electrochemical gradient.

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