Effect of Cholinesterase and Choline Acetylase Inhibitors on the Potassium Concentration Gradient and Potassium Exchange of Human Erythrocytes

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Abstract
The effect of cholinesterase inhibitors (physostigmine and diisopropyl fluorophosphate) and of choline acetylase inhibitors (methylene blue and 2-methyl-l,4-naphtho-quinone) on K distr. and exchange across the human red cell membrane was studied by means of radioactive K. Physostigmine and DFP caused a loss of K from the cells due principally to a decrease in the rate at which K enters the cells from the plasma. No direct relationship was found between inhibition of cholinesterase activity and K leakage. Methylene blue and 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone caused a loss of K from cells due principally to an increase in the rate at which K leaves the cells.