Deviations from the flux ratio equation for chloride ions in ouabain- and acetazolamide-treated frog skin

Abstract

In order to establish whether or not chloride ions behave as freely moving particles in “passive”, i.e. ouabain-and acetazolamide-treated, frog skin, tracer fluxes of 36Cl − have been measured while a voltage (generally +40 mV, serosal side positive) across the skin was applied. Ussing's flux ratio equation has been used as a criterion for this type of transport. One group of skin samples exhibited significant exchange diffusion phenomena. Most samples in a second group either behaved according to the flux ratio equation or showed significant and extreme exchange diffusion. From flux ratios obtained at two different voltages across various skin samples, showing extreme exchange diffusion, it appeared that the simple form of Kedem and Essig's law derived from irreversible thermodynamics, which is valid for homogeneous systems, does not apply to the type of exchange diffusion found. The system can, however, be described by a 1 : 1 exchange mechanism working in parallel with a diffusional pathway. The ratio exchange flux/observed efflux must then have a constant value (0.83) at the voltages applied, which implies that the exchange flux is voltage dependent. By comparison with iodide flux experiments as carried out by Ussing, it is shown that iodide exhibits the same type of exchange diffusion. A carrier, possibly responsibe for the observed behaviour, is described.