[Reversible amytal-induced depolarization of perfused rat liver cell membranes]

Prompt, completely reversible and deep (to 75%) depolarisation was obtained in perfused rat liver, treated wih amobarbital sodium to 10 mM. Kinetically the main effect developed in a relatively narrow concentration interval 3-4 mM. Administration of amobarbital in 12-15 mM may produce a progressive reduction of membrane potentials to null and positive values followed by a loss of reversibility. One of the possibilities deduced was that of amobarbital unique ability to induce cooperative-like membraneous "conservation", enabling the cells to support their ionic gradients in spite of severe metabolic inhibition.