The effect of hypertonic urea solution on Na+ and K+ transport through the smooth muscle membrane

The aim of this work was to examine the effect of a hypertonic solution (Krebs solution + 290 mM urea) on K+ and Na+ transport. The experiments were carried out on the guinea-pig taenia coli preparations using the method of Na-24 and K-24 loading and washout. The efflux curves were analysed by means of the digital computer technique. The following parameters were determined: efflux rate constant k2, influx rate constant k1, intracellular ion concentration C1 ion flux M and permeability P. Any significant difference between PNa/PK ratio in hypertonic urea and isotonic Krebs solutions was found.