The Effect of 2,4,6-Trinitro-m-Cresol on Cation and Anion Transport in Sheep Red Blood Cells

2,4,6-Trinitro-3-methyl-phenol (trinitrocresol, H⁺TNC^-) was found to inhibit anion and stimulate cation movements across the membranes of both high potassium (HK) and low potassium (LK) sheep red blood cells. The concentration of TNC^- required to inhibit SO₄^- and Cl^- efflux (10^-5-10^-3M) was less than that required to increase Na⁺ and K⁺ leakage (10^-3-10^-2M). Both the inhibition of anion and stimulation of cation permeation were reversed if TNC^- was washed from the red cells. The cation leak caused by TNC^- was much greater at 0° and 37°C than at room temperature (23°C). In sheep red cells, TNC^- was found to be about 20 times more effective than salicylate and about 40 times more effective than thiocyanate in increasing cation leak. TNC^- also inhibited the ouabain-sensitive potassium influx.