The effects of varying the extracellular potassium concentration on the secretory rate and on resting and secretory potentials in the perfused cat submandibular gland.

Abstract

AbstractLundberg presented the hypothesis that the secretory potentials in salivary glands were due to an active transport of chloride ions. This transport should be responsible for the formation of the saliva. Recently a different hypothesis has been proposed by Imai, who postulated that the secretory potentials were caused by an increased permeability of the cell membranes to potassium ions. The present investigation was undertaken to test Imai's hypothesis. It was found that the secretory potentials and the secretory rate depended in very much the same way on the extracellular potassium concentration. This gives further support to Lundberg's hypothesis.