Increase In Potassium Concentration Research Articles

Mathematical relationships among DNA supercoiling, cation concentration, and temperature for prokaryotic transcription.

DNA twist has been proposed to affect transcription from some promoters of Escherichia coli, but involvement of twist has been difficult to test because it cannot be measured in transcription reaction mixtures. However, changes in other factors affect both DNA twist and transcription. These parameters are expected to be related when maximum transcription initiation is considered. In the present work, mathematical relationships among supercoiling, cation concentration, and temperature are derived for prokaryotic transcription initiation. The relationships indicate that as DNA becomes more negatively supercoiled, maximal initiation occurs at a higher cation concentration and at a lower temperature. For example, when superhelical density becomes more negative by 0.0025, a 1.6-fold increase in potassium concentration is predicted to be required to maintain transcription initiation at its maximum rate. Experimental verification of the relationships should provide a useful test of the idea that transcription initiation is sensitive to DNA twist.

Microglia generate external proton and potassium ion gradients utilizing a member of the H/K ATPase family

An ion selective electrode in self-referencing mode was employed to detect ionic concentration gradients at the vicinity of microglia isolated from newborn rat brains. At 5 mM extracellular potassium concentration, a gradient of -9.43+/-4.2 microM (n=48) was recorded dissipating over a distance of 10 microm from the outer surface of the cell membrane. Pharmacological studies indicated that neither the Na+/K+-ATPase nor the inward rectifier potassium channel makes significant contributions to generation of this gradient. The recorded potassium gradient was found to be augmented by increase in extracellular potassium or proton concentrations and could be inhibited by Omeprazole (10 microM) and by the specific H+/K+-ATPase blocker SCH28080 (1 microM). These, along with the coexistence of a gradient of excess of protons, strongly suggest that a K/H ATPase is the major generator of both the potassium and the proton gradients. The Kd of the glial transporter for K ions is an order of magnitude higher (3.7 mM) than that of the epithelial H+/K+-ATPase. This is a first report of an H+/K+ transporter in microglia cells with a Kd in the physiological range of [K+]out. Implications of the H+/K+-ATPase on potassium homeostasis in microglia under high extracellular potassium and low pH, as found at the site of brain injury, are discussed.

Microglia generate external proton and potassium ion gradients utilizing a member of the H/K ATPase family

An ion selective electrode in self-referencing mode was employed to detect ionic concentration gradients at the vicinity of microglia isolated from newborn rat brains. At 5 mM extracellular potassium concentration, a gradient of −9.43 ± 4.2 μM (n = 48) was recorded dissipating over a distance of 10 μm from the outer surface of the cell membrane. Pharmacological studies indicated that neither the Na+/K+-ATPase nor the inward rectifier potassium channel makes significant contributions to generation of this gradient. The recorded potassium gradient was found to be augmented by increase in extracellular potassium or proton concentrations and could be inhibited by Omeprazole (10 μM) and by the specific H+/K+-ATPase blocker SCH28080 (1 μM). These, along with the coexistence of a gradient of excess of protons, strongly suggest that a K/H ATPase is the major generator of both the potassium and the proton gradients. The Kd of the glial transporter for K ions is an order of magnitude higher (3.7 mM) than that of the epithelial H+/K+-ATPase. This is a first report of an H+/K+ transporter in microglia cells with a Kd in the physiological range of [K+]out. Implications of the H+/K+-ATPase on potassium homeostasis in microglia under high extracellular potassium and low pH, as found at the site of brain injury, are discussed. GLIA 23:339–348, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Biochemical Disturbances Associated With Haemonchosis in Sheep

The serum concentrations of aspartate amino transferase(AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT). phosphorus, urea and potassium increased in infected animals. The increased AST and ALT levels suggested pathology of the skeletal muscle and hepatic parenchyma due to haemorrhagic gastritis and fatty degeneration of the liver. An increase in the serum phosphorus levels in infected animals may be attributed to a reciprocal relationship with serum calcium and carbohydrate utilization. An increase in urea and potassium concentrations might be due to dehydration and increased breakdown of proteins, and acidosis as a result of excessive fluid loss and increased catabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrate. The serum concentrations of cholesterol, copper, total protein, zinc, calcium, glucose, chloride, iron and magnesium decreased in infected animals. The decrease in the serum concentrations of these substances was attributed to the heavy blood loss and gastro-intestinal disturbances caused by haemonchosis leading to poor absorption and/or metabolism of these nutrients. It is recommended that in addition to an anthelmintic treatment, infected animals should be provided with essential micro/macro-elements and rehydration salts as supportive therapy.

Does potassium induce the release of nitric oxide in the rabbit corpus cavernosum?

We investigated the effects of increases in the extracellular potassium concentration on the function of the rabbit corpus cavernosum. The resting tissue tension increased as the potassium concentration was increased from 4.7 mM to 20 mM or 30 mM. The maximum contraction induced by 200 microM phenylephrine was significantly decreased in the presence of 30 mM potassium compared with 4.7 mM potassium. After precontraction was induced with 200 microM phenylephrine, the magnitude of field-stimulated relaxation increased significantly as the potassium concentration was increased from 4.7 mM to 10 or 20 mM, but was almost completely abolished at 30 mM potassium. There was no difference in the suppressive effect of L-NAME on field-stimulated relaxation between specimens treated with 4.7 mM or 20 mM potassium. ATP- and bethanechol-induced relaxation was not affected by increases in the extracellular potassium concentration. A high-dose potassium solution (124 mM) induced contraction of the corpus cavernosum. In tissue precontracted with phenylephrine, a high-dose potassium solution that contained phenylephrine induced relaxation of corpus cavernosum; this relaxation was completely suppressed by L-NAME. These findings suggest that small increases in the extracellular potassium concentration increase field-stimulated relaxation of the corpus cavernosum and that this relaxation is not related to the effects of nitric oxide. Relaxation induced by high-dose potassium in tissue precontracted with phenylephrine is probably the result of release of nitric oxide.

Effect of Potassium on Potato Microtuber Production in vitro

The role of potassium nutrition in microtuber production was investigated in two potato cultivars belonging to different maturity groups. Alterations were made in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium to obtain seven concentrations of potassium (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 mM), and their effects were studied on microtuber number, microtuber mass and harvest index. In late cultivar Kufri Sindhuri, an increase in potassium concentration beyond 25 mM decreased the number of microtubers. Whereas, potassium did not show any inhibitory effect on microtuber number in early cultivar Kufri Ashoka. Potassium showed promoting effect on microtuber mass in both the cultivars. Maximum microtuber mass and harvest index were observed when the medium was supplemented with 40 mM potassium. Therefore, large size potato microtubers amenable to direct field planting can be induced in MS medium containing 40 mM potassium.

Specificity of the Vascular Smooth Muscle Contractile Response to a Labile Digitalis-like Factor in Peritoneal Dialysate: The Influence of Potassium

Although multiple lines of evidence have suggested that a circulating endogenous digitalis-like factor (DLF) might contribute to the pathogenesis of sodium-sensitive hypertension, the subject remains controversial. This study was designed to compare the influence of potassium on vascular responses to an endogenous DLF isolated from peritoneal dialysate (PD) in volume-expanded patients with other sodium pump inhibitors, such as ouabain and bufalin, and the influence of serotonin as an index of specificity. An increase in bath potassium (K +) concentration from 2.7 to 10 mmol/L relaxed bovine facial artery precontracted with serotonin, but induced a secondary paradoxical contractile response in vascular-smooth muscle (VSM) precontracted with ouabain, bufalin, or the endogenous DLF from PD. There was a strong correlation between the primary contraction induced by each sodium pump inhibitor, and the magnitude of the paradoxical secondary contractile response. The increase in potassium concentration did not influence ouabain binding in the 20 min required for the experimental protocol, although binding was decreased after 120 min. The findings indicate that the VSM contractile response induced by the agent isolated from PD reflects VSM sodium pump inhibition, supporting its candidacy as a circulating regulator of the sodium pump.

Major salivary gland dysfunction in patients with hematological malignancies receiving interleukin-2-based immunotherapy post-autologous blood stem cell transplantation (ABSCT).

lnterleukin-2 (IL-2) is known to cause xerostomia and skin manifestations similar to graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We therefore evaluated major salivary gland function in patients with hematological malignancies treated with IL-2 and interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) after ABSCT. Eleven patients (seven male, four female) of median age 40 (24-47) were evaluated, seven with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL); one with Hodgkin's disease (HD) and three with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Parotid and submandibular salivary gland function was assessed before, during and after IL-2/IFN-alpha administration by evaluation of the salivary flow rate and the composition of secreted saliva. Significant reductions in both the resting and stimulated parotid and submandibular salivary flow rates were observed during IL-2/IFN-alpha immunotherapy compared with the pre- and post-therapy values (P < 0.01), while no hyposalivation was observed in the control patients who underwent ABSCT and did not received IL-2. Sialochemical evaluation revealed a significant increase in potassium concentration (24.4+/-0.6 mEq/l to 28.9+/-1.4 mEq/l) and a significant decrease in sodium concentration (6.7+/-2.1 mEq/l to 3.3+/-1.0 mEq/l) (P < 0.05) in the stimulated parotid gland saliva secreted during IL-2/IFN-alpha administration. Salivary protein concentrations were not altered by the IL-2/IFN-alpha immunotherapy. Similar changes were previously observed in mice and humans with chronic GVHD. We conclude that IL-2 immunotherapy induces major salivary gland dysfunction in humans, similar to our previous observations in patients with chronic GVHD, which may indicate similar pathophysiologic mechanisms.

Effect of industrial processing on the mineral content of white asparagus

Concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and phosphorus were determined in white asparagus (Asparagus officinalis, L.) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry to investigate and estimate if the influence of industrial processing on mineral content and mineral nutritional value of different varieties, diameters and portions of white asparagus spears. Four‐factor anova (processing, variety, diameter and portion) and a Scheffè test (P &lt; 0.05) established statistically significant differences and different homogeneous groups for the four factors. All the elements studied showed significant (P &lt; 0.001) changes in their levels throughout the processing stages with a decrease of the calcium and sodium content and an increase in magnesium, potassium and phosphorus concentrations. These variations are especially related to peeling since the loss of the spear peel may produce changes in the mineral content. Concentrations of the majority of the mineral elements analysed were higher in the SUR variety asparagus, the largest diameter spear (14–19 and &gt; 19 mm) and the tip and middle portions of the spear. Nutrient density was well over 100% for all the elements, except for sodium, and the processing has no consequences for the mineral nutritional value.

Nonlinear optical properties of Li 2B 4O 7 single crystals doped with potassium and silver

Optical investigations were performed for Li 2B 4O 7 single crystals doped with K and Ag. Our theoretical predictions indicate a possible increase of the nonlinear optical susceptibilities in such crystalline systems. We have revealed a dependence of the electrooptical coefficient on type and concentration of the dopant. Calculations of energy band structure and resulting linear optical parameters have been carried out for the K- and Ag-doped Li 2B 4O 7 single crystals. Increasing potassium concentration leads to a decrease of the electrooptical coefficient, while increasing silver concentration causes just an opposite effect.

Comments on the kinetics and extracellular effects of potassium and magnesium

Potassium and magnesium are important electrolytes which have to be ingested in sufficient amounts. They differ in the necessary daily intake (about 100 mmol potassium, about 12 mmol magnesium), the degree of intestinal absorption (potassium almost 100%, magnesium about 30%) and the distribution between the extracellular and intracellular space. If there is a deficiency in potassium or magnesium, it is necessary to substitute these materials. Deficiency of potassium is not rarely combined with deficiency of magnesium. The concentration gradient between intra- and extracellular potassium mainly determines the resting membrane potential of the cell. Lower extracellular potassium may lead to an instable membrane potential because of a decrease in potassium conductance. An increase in extracellular potassium concentration leads to the depolarization of the cell. Extracellular potassium activates the sodium potassium pump and thereby prevents an increased intracellular accumulation of sodium and calcium. Important effects of extracellular magnesium are: calcium antagonism, increase of excitation threshold and inhibition of transmitter release. By increasing the plasma concentration of magnesium, it is possible to exert pharmacodynamic effects. An increase above the normal range usually is only possible by parenteral application. However, a slight elevation can already be achieved by oral application. This increase may lead to limited pharmacodynamic effects. By elevation of the extracellular magnesium concentration, adverse, depolarisation-dependent effects of an increase in extracellular potassium concentration (for example slowing of conduction of excitation) can be compensated. This effect can be explained by a magnesium-dependent decrease of the membrane surface potential.

Serum potassium concentrations after suxamethonium in patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy type I.

Suxamethonium produces an abnormal increase in serum potassium in some neurological diseases and some authors have suggested that it is safer not to use this drug in patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). However, there are no data previously reported to support this hypothesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of the potassium increase produced by suxamethonium in FAP type I. Twenty-one FAP Met 30 patients anaesthetised for liver transplantation were studied. Age was 34.9 +/- 6.9 years (mean +/- SD), time elapsed from first symptom 5.5 +/- 3.2 years and weight was 14 +/- 9% below ideal body weight. Anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone and low-dose fentanyl. Samples for blood gas and 5 min after 1 mg/kg of suxamethonium was given for tracheal intubation. Before induction serum potassium levels were 3.8 +/- 0.4 mmol/L. One minute after suxamethonium, values were 3.8 +/- 0.4 mmol/L and 5 min after 4.3 +/- 0.5 mmol/L. The maximal increase observed was 1.6 mmol/L (from 3.4 mmol/L to 5.0 mmol/L). The average increase in plasma potassium concentrations observed in FAP patients after suxamethonium was similar to the increase observed in a normal population by others. Our study can exclude the hypothesis that an anomalous increase in potassium would be a typical and frequent response to suxamethonium in FAP met 30 patients. However, we cannot exclude that a dangerous rise in serum potassium may exist in a certain percentage of FAP patients.

Fatigue-induced changes in group IV muscle afferent activity: differences between high- and low-frequency electrically induced fatigues

Recordings of group IV afferent activity of tibialis anterior muscle were performed in paralysed rabbits during runs of electrically induced fatigue produced by direct muscle stimulation at a high (100 Hz, high-frequency fatigue HFF) or a low rate (10 Hz, low-frequency fatigue LFF). In addition to analysis of afferent nerve action potentials, muscle force and compound muscle action potentials (M waves) elicited by direct muscle stimulation with single shocks were recorded. Changes in M wave configuration were used as an index of the altered propagation of membrane potentials and the associated efflux of potassium from muscle fibers. The data show that increased group IV afferent activity occurred during LFF as well as HFF trials and developed parallel with force failure. Enhanced afferent activity was significantly higher during LFF (maximal Δf impulses=249±35%) than HFF (147±45%). No correlation was obtained between the responses of group IV afferents to LFF or to pressure exerted on tibialis anterior muscle. On the other hand, decreased M wave amplitude was minimal with LFF while it was pronounced with HFF. Close correlations were found between fatigue-induced activation of group IV afferents and decreases in force or M wave amplitude, but their strength was significantly higher with LFF compared to HFF. Thus, electrically induced fatigue activates group IV muscle afferents with a prominent effect of low-frequency stimulation. The mechanism of muscle afferent stimulation does not seem to be due to the sole increase in extracellular potassium concentration, but also by the efflux of muscle metabolites, present during fatiguing contractions at low rate of stimulation.

Increases in concentrations of potassium and bicarbonate ions promote acquisition of motility in vitro by Japanese eel spermatozoa

We examined the effects in vitro of the ionic composition and pH of the medium on the acquisition of motility by testicular spermatozoa of the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica. We obtained milt from the genital pore and testicular milt from the testes of artificially matured cultivated eels. About 45% of milt spermatozoa were motile when they were diluted with hyperosmotic solution. By contract, 1.4% of testicular spermatozoa were motile. We produced an artificial seminal plasma (ASP), which corresponded in terms of ionic constituents to the seminal plasma obtained from the milt, and incubated immotile testicular spermatozoa with the ASP. The spermatozoa showed increased motility (44.0–60.7%) after a 60-min incubation at all pH values examined (pH 7.5–8.7). Absence of bivalent cations from the ASP did not impede the acquisition of motility at pH 8.1. However, testicular spermatozoa incubated with potassium-free ASP (pH 7.8–8.4) did not become motile, and the motility increased in proportion to the concentrations of potassium ions (0–30 mM) in ASP at pH 8.1. When testicular spermatozoa were incubated with HCO3--free ASP at pH 8.1 (the ASP including 15.2 mM KCI), spermatozoa did not become motile. Motility of the spermatozoa increased in proportion to the concentrations of HCO3-ions in ASP. Thus, acquisition of motility required potassium and bicarbonate ions and their concentrations regulated the percentage of motile spermatozoa. The pH of testicular milt (pH7.5) was significantly lower than that of milt (pH 8.0), and the concentration of potassium ions in testicular plasma (44.3 mM) was significantly higher than that in seminal plasma (15.2 mM). Thus, it appears that immotile testicular spermatozoa become motile upon transfer from the testicular lumen to the sperm duct, with increases in pH and in the concentration of bicarbonate ions. J. Exp. Zool. 277:171–180, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Increases in concentrations of potassium and bicarbonate ions promote acquisition of motility in vitro by Japanese eel spermatozoa

Increases in concentrations of potassium and bicarbonate ions promote acquisition of motility in vitro by Japanese eel spermatozoa

Potassium-induced aldosterone secretion involves a Cl(-)-dependent mechanism.

Stimulation of aldosterone secretion by increases in extracellular potassium concentration is associated with increases in the volume of the adrenal glomerulosa cell. Because increases in cell volume have been associated with increases in aldosterone secretion, the effect of preventing the potassium-induced increase in cell volume by removal of chloride from the medium on the response of dispersed bovine glomerulosa cells grown in primary culture was determined. Totally replacing the chloride ion with the methylsulfate ion prevented the increase in cell volume and significantly suppressed the increase in aldosterone secretion normally associated with increasing [K] to 10 mM. In the absence of Cl-, the increase in cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c) normally induced by increasing the [K] to 10 mM was also significantly suppressed. The replacement of 10 mM methylsulfate by Cl- restored the potassium-induced increase in both cell volume and aldosterone secretion to values not different from those found in the presence of 108 mM Cl-. The potassium-induced increase in cell volume was dependent also on the presence of extracellular calcium. Thus a component of the glomerulosa cell response to an increase in [K] may be caused by a chloride-dependent increase in cell volume that is triggered by the initial depolarization-induced increase in [Ca2+]c. The increase in cell volume enhances the increase in [Ca2+]c and amplifies the increase in aldosterone secretion.

Presentation and analysis of a model simulating the response of potash treatment of lakes

The potassium concentration in a lake may influence the caesium levels in lake biota. The biouptake and potential ecosystem effects of a caesium fall-out can be limited by addition of potassium, for example, by a potash treatment. This work presents for the first time a simple and practically useful model to facilitate the planning and to predict the outcome of potash treatments by simulating the processes that regulate the water chemical response of such a treatment. The model is a mixed model in the sense that it contains both statistical regressions and dynamic interactions within a lake ecosystem. This paper focuses on the dynamic processes and gives both calibrations and extensive validations of the model. A few examples on the practical use of the model are presented. The results indicate that the model, using only easily accessible input data, can, in fact, give good predictions on the increase and duration in potassium concentration following a potash treatment.

The effect of late summer fertilization on the frost hardening of second-year Scots pine seedlings.

In this study the effect of summer fertilization on the initiation of frost hardening of containerized second-year Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings is studied. During the second growing season three different fertilization programs (water soluble NPK with micronutrients) determined by electrical conductivity of peat water extract (0.2, 0.5 and 1.2 mS cm-1) were initiated. The growth and nutrient concentrations of needles were monitored during the fertilization period. The frost hardiness of seedlings was assessed on four separate occasions at two week intervals from August 7 to September 18. This assessment was based on artificial freezing tests and visual damage scoring of tissue browning on current-year needles. Clear differences in foliar N, P and K concentrations were observed between the fertilization treatments. Fertilization prolonged the growing period of needles and increased root collar diameter. In all the tests, the highest fertilization level resulted in the highest level of frost hardiness. The difference between the fertilization treatments ranged from 1 °C to 2.2 °C. Frost hardiness increased with an increase in foliar nitrogen concentration and slightly less consistently with increases in foliar phosphorus and potassium concentrations.

Reversal of muscle fatigue in intact rabbits by intravenous potassium chloride

Purpose: Skeletal muscle fatigue has been associated with potassium efflux from the myocytes, resulting in endogenous increases in blood potassium concentration ([K +]). Conversely, exogenous increases in extracellular [K +] potentiates contraction in isolated muscle preparations. The mechanisms responsible for these contradictory effects of [K +] on skeletal muscle function are unknown. Moreover, little is known about the effect of exogenous increases in [K +] on force generation by intact animals, given potassium's deleterious effect on cardiac function. Methods: We compared the response to exogenous increases in blood [K +] in rabbits given an infusion of potassium chloride (KCl) intravenously (IV) (0.2 mol/L; KCl group; n = 7) to a group given 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl) (control; n = 7). The rabbits underwent low-frequency, isometric twitch stimulation of the left hindlimb (square wave pulses 100 microseconds, 40V, 0.25 Hz) throughout the experiment. Both groups received 0.9% NaCl (25 mL/h) during the first hour of twitch stimulation and experienced similar decreases in hindlimb forces to 70% of initial force. A continuous infusion of KCl or of saline (60 mL/h) was started, and hindlimb stimulation continued for 2 hours. Results: There were no changes in [K +] in the control group, and twitch forces progressively declined during the next 2 hours (369 ± 47 g to 279 ± 34 g, P < .01). Arterial [K +] increased in the KCI group from 2.6 ± 0.1 to 10.1 ± 0.5 mmol/L ( P <.01), and hindlimb twitch forces almost doubled (418 ± 49 g to 756 ± 55 g, P < .01). Force frequency curves showed improved contractility in the KCI group at stimulation frequencies below 30 Hz. Conclusions: Exogenous increases in blood [K +] potentiate skeletal muscle contraction in intact animals and reverse low-frequency twitch fatigue. A possible mechanism may be the maintenance of intracellular [K +] by hindering K + efflux from skeletal muscle cells.

Experiments on the causes of altitudinal differences in the leaf nutrient contents, size and δ13C of Alchemilla alpina

SUMMARYThis paper describes experiments carried out to investigate the causes of high leaf nitrogen concentrations and high δ13C values in Alchemilla alpina L. growing at high altitudes. We investigated whether genetic adaptation, high levels of nitrogen input or low temperatures could account for these trends. In a field experiment, plants from two altitudes in the Scottish Highlands were transplanted to Great Dun Fell, a site in the Pennines of northern England. The experimental design was fully factorial: two altitudinal origins × two altitudes of growth × two nitrogen levels. A second experiment used a controlled environment to test the effects of temperature alone.The effects of altitude in the field transplant experiment were very similar to those in naturally growing plants. Leaf nitrogen concentration and δ13 were both higher at the high altitude, whilst growth declined and nitrogen per leaf was unaffected. An increase in potassium concentration with altitude was also found. Nitrogen addition caused increased leaf nitrogen concentrations but also increased nitrogen per leaf; δ13C was not affected and potassium and phosphorus concentrations decreased. The addition of nitrogen also increased mortality. Altitude of origin had relatively few effects but the population from the higher altitude did have a higher specific leaf area. Low temperature in the controlled environment caused increased δ13C, decreased leaf size and increased nitrogen and carbon contents, although the effect was less clear than the effects of altitude in the field. Gas exchange measurements suggested that the δ13C effect was caused by a reduction in stomatal conductance.We conclude that the effects of altitude on this species are principally the result of direct environmental modifications to growth rather than genetic adaptation. Of the various factors that change with altitude, temperature and a short growing season are particularly important; enhanced nitrogen supply through atmospheric deposition promotes increasing leaf nitrogen concentrations but must be considered in conjunction with other variables.