Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 22, 2026

In vitro Cell Culture Model for Toxic Inhaled Chemical Testing
Published on: May 8, 2014
Disastrous physiological effects of saline on the cell membrane demonstrated in cardiac cells
P Arlock1, B Wohlfart, T Sjöberg
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart and Lung Division, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. per.arlock@thorax.lu.se
Objective:
Saline is not an ideal storage solution. It has a low pH, no buffering capacity, and lacks other ions and nutrients. The objective was to explore the effects of storing cardiac muscle in saline.
Design:
Guinea pig papillary muscles and ventricular myocytes were exposed to saline. The effects on action potential, membrane current, contraction and cell shortening were recorded in vitro at 35-37 degrees C.
Results:
Saline caused transient hyperpolarization of the resting potential (-140 mV), prolonged duration of the action potential, and increased contraction amplitude, which was later reversed. The membrane resting potential depolarized after a few minutes to about -15 mV and the preparations became unexcitable. The depolarized preparations remained slightly contracted. Upon reperfusion both papillary muscles and cells became unstable and spontaneously active. Storing myocytes in saline for only 2 h resulted in excessive cell death.
Conclusion:
Saline is disastrous for the function of the heart muscle and leads to depolarization, sustained contraction and unexcitable tissue. Saline should not be used as a storage medium, even for short periods of time.
More Related Videos
10:41Laser-Induced Action Potential-Like Measurements of Cardiomyocytes on Microelectrode Arrays for Increased Predictivity of Safety Pharmacology
Published on: September 13, 2022
07:21Separation and Differential Characterization of Gut Microbial Extracellular Vesicles in Salt-Sensitive Rats under High-Salt Diet Conditions
Published on: June 6, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Salt Stress
Transcellular Transport of Solutes
Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics
Cellular Injury I: Introduction
Cellular Injury IV: Necrosis
Cytotoxic Edema: Pathophysiology