The influence of physical conditions on swelling and K+-release in perfused rat livers poisoned with phalloidin

Abstract

1. The amount of water uptake (swelling) and K+-release in normal and phalloidin poisoned perfused rat livers depends on physical conditions (pre- and postsinusoidal pressure, colloid-osmotic pressure and viscosity of perfusion fluid). 2. Extrapolation to a perfusion rate of 0 results in nearly equal swelling in both normal and poisoned livers. 3. Potassium release from poisoned livers is influenced by the amount of water uptake. High water uptake into poisoned livers is accompanied by lesser potassium loss. 4. High postsinusoidal pressure, as produced by increased pressure in the hepatic outflow, promotes the amount and the velocity of K+-loss as well as of water uptake. 5. Artificial rise of colloid-osmotical pressure in the medium by addition of periston N reduces both water uptake and K+-loss of poisoned livers. 6. According to these findings, not only phalloidin itself but also the experimental conditions heavily influence the shift of fluid and potassium in poisoned rat livers.