Effect of ouabain on potassium exchange in the mammalian heart

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Abstract
The effect of the digitalis glycoside, ouabain, on potassium exchange in the guinea pig heart in vitro was studied with the aid of K42. With modified Ringer's solution as a perfusate at 38 C, K was found to exchange at two rates in both washout and buildup studies. In vivo equilibration studies also suggested more than one rate of exchange. Ouabain, in vitro, effected inhibition of entrance of K into the slowly exchanging compartment, but did not affect influx into the fast compartment or efflux from the fast or slow compartments. The ouabain inhibition was seen at Ringer's K concentrations of 3.8–4.3 mEq/liter was equivocal at K concentrations of 5.0–5.5 mEq/ liter and absent at K concentrations of 7.0–7.5 mEq/liter. It was postulated that ouabain inhibition was directed toward the slowly exchanging fraction of intracellular potassium.