CHANGES IN THE OSMOTIC ACTIVITY OF LIVER AND OF KIDNEY TISSUE CAUSED BY PASSAGE OF SODIUM CHLORIDE, UREA, AND SOME OTHER SUBSTANCES INTO CELLS

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Abstract
To test the opinion that osmotic activity of tissues is due largely to electrolytes, NaCl was given in large quantity, to determine whether the tonicity of liver or kidney cells could be increased by it. Within a short interval after subcutaneous injection of the NaCl in quantity sufficient to produce convulsions, the isotonicity of liver slices rose above the average level of normal liver and that of kidney was similarly elevated. Urea, with molecular weight little greater than that of Na or KCl was introduced into the body under conditions that brought about its accumulation in excess of its elimination, and its distribution throughout both intra-and extracellular water. The average levels of isotonicity of liver and of kidney tissue, measured by immersion in solutions of NaCl rose much above the corresponding averages for normal tissues. Under similar conditions creatinin increased the level of isotonicity of liver tissue. No increase was found in similar experiments with glycine and arginine.

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