Studies on the permeability of erythrocytes

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Abstract
The possibility that the high conc. gradient of K+ maintained by the erythrocytes of many spp. against their surrounding plasma is due to an active metabolic process was investigated. Metabolic poisons such as CN, CO, urethane, and accelerators such as methylene blue and pyocyanin had no influence on the K+ content of the non-nucleated erythrocytes of the rabbit and the nucleated cells of the goose and dog-fish. Fluoride caused a small loss of K+ but this was evidently not associated directly with the inhibition of glycolysis produced by this substance. The extent to which losses of K+ were caused by centrifuging the cells from serum or saline was studied. Direct proof of such losses was obtained with the erythrocytes of the dog-fish and ox. The possible bearing of these effects on earlier work was discussed. The question as to whether hemolysis, however produced, is preceded by a state of cation permeability was studied. Subhemolytic concs. of amyl alc., the di-phenols, and guaiacol caused losses of K+ from the rabbit erythrocyte; digitonin, Na cholate and oleate caused losses only when in hemolytic concns. (these losses were over and above those due to the hemolysis itself); saponin produced no loss of K+ in all the concs .studied. Acidity and alkalinity were only effective under hemolytic conditions, while raising the temp. caused considerable losses of K+; the penetration of K+ into the erythrocytes of the ox from strongly hypotonic aq. KC1 was demonstrated. The hemolytic action of Ag is preceded by an induced permeability to cations.