Abstract

The release studied by incubating tissue slices in an enriched, oxygenated medium in the presence and absence of secretagogues indicated that slices from 1-day-old rats released K + in response to carbamylcholine, but not in response to epinephrine. The response to carbamylcholine was dose-related, with a 12.6 ± 1.3 per cent release at a concentration of 2 × 10 −5M. Epinephrine did not induce K + release in concentrations from 2 × 10 −7 to 2 × 10 −5M. Glands from 7- and 14-day-old rats released a similar amount as those of new-borns in response to carbamylcholine and by 21 days of age the glands released 21.5 ± 1.9 per cent of their K + content upon exposure to 2 × 10 −5 M carbamylcholine. A response to epinephrine (2 × 10 −5 M) was first detected at 14 days of age, when the slices released 8.3 ± 1.2 per cent of their K +. Slices of 21-day-old rats showed a 17.9 ± 1.3 per cent K + release in response to this dose. As in adult glands, the net amount of K + released by the developing postnatal gland seems to be the result of two opposing mechanisms, a passive efflux and an active re-uptake which depends on the activation of an ouabain-sensitive Na +-K + -ATPase. The passive efflux component was similar in glands from different postnatal ages and was enhanced by secretagogues. The extent of active uptake, on the other hand, decreased with increasing postnatal age. As in the adult, the net release of K + depended on the presence of Ca2 + in the incubation medium, but the sensitivity of the response to Ca 2+ omission varied in accord with the age of the animals and with the stimulant used. It is speculated that proacinar and terminal tubular cells may be involved in K + release in the early postnatal period.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.