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Effect of salt acclimation on digitalis-like compounds in the toad
D Lichtstein1, I Gati, T Babila
1Department of Physiology, Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|January 23, 1991
Summary
Digitalis-like compounds (DLC) in toads are affected by salt concentration. Brain DLC decreased with higher salt, while skin DLC increased, suggesting roles in salt and water balance.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Digitalis-like compounds (DLC) are naturally present in toad skin and plasma.
- The physiological role of DLC in toads, particularly in relation to environmental changes, is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiological role of DLC in toads.
- To determine how varying NaCl concentrations affect DLC levels in toad brain, plasma, and skin.
Main Methods:
- Toads were acclimated to different NaCl solutions (0%, 1.2%, 1.5%).
- DLC levels were quantified in brain, plasma, and skin samples from toads exposed to varying salinity.
Main Results:
- Increasing NaCl from 0% to 1.2% significantly decreased brain DLC by 50% with no change in plasma or skin.
- Increasing NaCl to 1.5% resulted in a 50% increase in skin DLC, without affecting plasma or brain levels.
Conclusions:
- Skin and brain DLC may play a role in long-term salt and water homeostasis in toads.
- Plasma DLC might be involved in short-term homeostasis or other functions.
- DLC levels dynamically adjust to environmental salinity, indicating a regulatory function.
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