Epithelial transport of potassium

摘要

Recent investigations of ion transport across epithelia have placed much emphasis on sodium movements. Less attention has been given to transepithelial potassium transport, which in general contributes much less to total ion movement than does sodiumu Yet, the movement of potassium across epithelial cells and its regulation are essential for potassium homeostasis. This review discusses some of the factors which affect potassium movements across cellular membranes: and across epithelia, it summarizes our knowledge of potassium transport across different epithelia, and it looks briefly at the dependency of transepithelial sodium transport on potassium in the medium bathing the inner surface of the epithelial cells.