Potassium exchange and afterpotentials in frog sartorius muscles treated with glycerol.

The potassium exchange properties of glycerol-treated sartorius muscles of the frog were determined. Potassium ((42)K) uptake, efflux, and net flux were measured in the presence of glycerol and at various times after exposure to glycerol and return to isotonic Ringer solution. Potassium uptake was not altered by the presence of glycerol but was reduced on the average 53% after glycerol treatment. Efflux transiently increased in the presence of glycerol and was reduced 37% after glycerol removal. Consequently, there was a net loss of intracellular potassium as well as a gain of sodium. In contrast to the irreversible alterations of potassium exchange induced by glycerol treatment, action potentials with normal negative afterpotentials (N.A.P.) were elicited 4-5 hr after glycerol removal. The reappearance of the N.A.P. was associated with a return of the membrane potential to normal values (90 +/- 2 mv). However, the response of these muscles to reduced extracellular potassium was anomalous. In K(+)-free Ringer solution the average resting membrane potential was 74 +/- 3 mv and a positive afterpotential of 11 +/- 3 mv was associated with the action potential.