Summary
-
1.
The membrane potential of frog skeletal muscle was measured in various solutions, in the presence and in the absence of the CO2/HCO −3 buffer.
-
2.
The CO2/HCO −3 buffer (\(P_{CO_2 } = 38 - 593 mm Hg\); [HCO −3 ]=5–25 mM/l) generally induced a reversible depolarization.
-
3.
In the presence of Cl−, there was a slowly developing but marked depolarization.
-
4.
In the absence of Cl−, there was an early depolarization which increased in high-\(P_{CO_2 } \) or low-K+ solutions, and decreased in low-\(P_{CO_2 } \), high-K+ or Na+-free solutions. Changing the HCO −3 concentration did not modify the depolarization.
-
5.
The early depolarization and contractions observed in Cl−-free Ringer persisted in presence of tubocurarine chloride (2.5·10−5 M/l).
-
6.
Possible mechanisms for the depolarization are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adler, S., Roy, A., Relman, A. S.: Intracellular acid-base regulation. I. The response of muscle cells to changes in CO2 tension or extracellular bi arbonate concentration. J. Clin. Invest.44, 8–20 (1965)
Aickin, C. C., Thomas, R. C.: Microelectrode measurements of the intracellular pH and buffering power of mouse soleus muscle fibres. J. Physiol. (Lond.)267, 791–810 (1977)
Baker, P. F., McNaughton, P. A.: Selective inhibition of the Ca-dependent Na efflux from intact squid axons by a fall in intracellular pH. J. Physiol. (Lond.) (in Press)
Brink, F.: The role of calcium ions in neural processes. Pharmacol. Rev.6, 243–298 (1954)
Cohen, I., van der Kloot, W.: The effects of pH changes on the frequency of miniature end-plate potentials at the frog neuromuscular junction. J. Physiol. (Lond.)262, 401–414 (1976)
Dreyer, F., Peper, K.: A monolayer preparation of innervated skeletal muscle fibres of the m. cutaneus pectoris of the frog. Pflügers Arch.348, 257–262 (1974)
Fenn, W. O., Cobb, D. M.: The potassium equilibrium in muscle. J. Gen. Physiol.17, 629–656 (1934)
Heisler, N., Piiper, J.: The buffer value of rat diaphragm muscle tissue determined by \(P_{CO_2 } \) equilibration of homogenates. Respir. Physiol.12, 169–178 (1971)
Heisler, N.: Intracellular pH of isolated rat diaphragm muscle with metabolic and respiratory changes of extracellular pH. Respir. Physiol.23, 243–255 (1975)
Hodgkin, A. L., Horowicz, P.: The influence of potassium and chloride ions on the membrane potential of single muscle fibres. J. Physiol. (Lond.)148, 127–160 (1959)
Huguenin, F.: Effect of the CO2/HCOHCO −3 system on the membrane potential of frog skeletal muscle. Experientia31, 711 (1975)
Huguenin, F., Reber, W. R.: Effect of K+ on the CO2/HCOHCO −3 -induced depolarization in frog skeletal muscle. Experientia32, 757 (1976)
Hutter, O. F., Warner, A. E.: The pH sensitivity of the chloride conductance of frog skeletal muscle. J. Physiol. (Lond.)189, 403–425 (1967)
Izutsu, K. T.: Intracellular pH, H ion flux and H ion permeability coefficient in bullfrog toe muscle. J. Physiol. (Lond.)221, 15–27 (1972)
Keynes, R. D.: Some further observations on the sodium efflux in frog muscle. J. Physiol. (Lond.)178, 305–325 (1965)
Kostyuk, P. S., Sorokina, Z. A.: On the mechanism of hydrogen ion distribution between cell protoplasm and the medium. In: Symposium on membrane Transport and Metabolism (A. Kleinzeller, A. Kotyk, eds.). New York: Academic Press 1961
Ling, G., Gerard, R. W.: The normal membrane potential of frogs artorius fibers. J. Cell. Comp. Physiol.34, 383–396 (1949)
Lüttgau, H. Ch., Glitsch, H.: Membrane Physiology of Nerve and Muscle Fibers. Fortschritte der Zoologie 24/I, p. 102. Stuttgart-New York: G. Fischer 1976
Mainwood, G. W.: Some electrical characteristics of sucrose washed frog sartorius muscle. Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol.44, 663–674 (1966)
Mainwood, G. W., Lee, S. L.: The hyperpolarizing effect of hydrogen ions on transmembrane potential in frog skeletal muscle. Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol.46, 151–157 (1968)
Meech, R. W., Thomas, R. C.: The effect of calcium injection on the intracellular sodium and pH of snail neurones. J. Physiol. (Lond.)265, 867–879 (1977)
Meves, H., Völkner, K. G.: Die Wirkung von CO2 auf das Ruhemembranpotential und die elektrischen Konstanten der quergestreiften Muskelfaser. Pflügers Arch.265, 457–476 (1958)
Siggaard-Andersen, O.: The Acid-Base Status of the Blood. 4th ed. Copenhagen: Munksgaard 1974
Steiner, C. A., Held, D. R.: On the interpretation of the −Δ (HCOHCO −3 /ΔpH ratio in respiratory acid-base disturbances. Respir. Physiol.12, 17–24 (1971)
Thomas, R. C.: Electrogenic sodium pump in nerve and muscle cells. Physiol. Rev.52, 563–594 (1972)
Woodbury, J. W.: Fluxes of H+ and HCOHCO −3 across frog skeletal muscle cell membranes. Alfred Benzon Symposium III. In: Ion Homeostasis in the Brain (B. K. Siesjö, S. C. Sörensen, eds.), pp. 270–289. Kopenhagen: Munksgaard 1970
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Reber, W., Huguenin, F. The effect of the CO2/HCO −3 buffer system on the membrane potential of frog skeletal muscle. Pflugers Arch. 371, 179–184 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00586256
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00586256