Similarities between the vascular smooth muscle responses to sudden changes in external potassium, sodium and chloride ion concentrations

Neuronal accumulation and metabolism of 3H-1-norepinephrine in rat portal vein: evidence in relation to possible uneven alpha receptor distribution

The rate of accumulation and metabolism of 3H-1-norepinephrine in the neuronal plexus of rat portal vein produces a small transmitter concentration gradient across the longitudinal smooth muscle layer which cannot account for the prejunctional supersensitivity observed and suggests localization of the alpha-adrenergic receptors adjacent to the nerve plexus.

Membrane potential of smooth muscle cells in K-free solution

1. The changes of the ion content, the membrane potential and of the membrane permeability of taenia coli cells have been studied during exposure to K-free solutions. The relative value of the total membrane conductance was determined by measuring the electrotonic potential during constant current pulses with an intracellular electrode. The P(K) values were calculated from (42)K-efflux in K-free solutions.2. In solutions containing penetrating anions the cells initially depolarize. Thereafter they hyperpolarize to about - 85 mV and again depolarize after 90 min to - 5 mV. These potential changes are much smaller if large anions are used as chloride substitutes. Moreover, the final depolarization is only reached after 4-5 hr. This hyperpolarization is not inhibited by 10(-5)M ouabain.3. These potential changes are accompanied by a progressive exchange of intracellular K by Na. In solutions containing chloride or nitrate the relative value of the total membrane conductance increases to a maximal value, corresponding to the peak value of the calculated P(K). Such changes of the membrane conductance and of P(K) do not occur in K-free solutions containing large anions.4. It is proposed that the initial depolarization is probably caused by an inhibition of an electrogenic Na pump. In chloride or nitrate solution the hyperpolarization is due to an increase of the [K](i)/[K](o) ratio and to an increase of the K permeability. In the presence of large anions the hyperpolarization remains small because this increase of P(K) does not occur.

Effects of removing the external potassium on the smooth muscle of guinea-pig taenia coli

1. Removal of the external K ions depolarized the membrane of the guinea-pig taenia coli by about 5 mV, and increased the frequency of the spontaneous spike activity. After about 20 min in K-free solution, the frequency gradually decreased and spontaneous activity stopped after about 60 min.2. Readmission of K produced a transient hyperpolarization by 10-15 mV for 10-20 min, and lowered the excitability. The membrane resistance decreased during the hyperpolarization. When the external K concentration was returned to normal before the spontaneous activity had disappeared in K-free solution, there was a complete suppression of the spontaneous electrical and mechanical activities, accompanied by hyperpolarization of the membrane. The duration of this suppression of electrical and mechanical activities depended on the exposure time to K-free solution, the recovery being delayed by longer exposure.3. The effects of removing external K were essentially the same in the presence of tetrodotoxin (10(-7) g/ml.), of atropine (10(-6) g/ml.), and also in low Cl (2-7 mM).4. The effects of ouabain (10(-6) g/ml.) were similar to those of zero K but appeared more slowly. After treatment with ouabain, the membrane was hyperpolarized by removing the external K and there was no hyperpolarization nor suppression of the mechanical activity on readmission of external K.5. Rb substitution for K produced little effect and addition of 5.9 mM-Rb after K-removal produced a typical suppression of activity as the readmission of K. When K was replaced with an equimolar concentration of Cs, the effects were similar to those produced by K-free solution.6. The pattern of the response to a change in the external K concentration was different below 23 degrees C. The spontaneous activity was suppressed by removal of K, and increased by returning the external K.7. It is concluded that, in the taenia, the membrane potential can be modified by an electrogenic pump, the activity of which is inhibited by removing K, by ouabain, and by lowering the temperature to about 23 degrees C. During the recovery from the exposure to K-free solution or to ouabain, the pump activity is potentiated, causing hyperpolarization of the membrane by 10-20 mV. Rb can, Cs cannot, replace K in activating the pump at the same concentration as K.