Liver cell potentials: In vitro effects of metabolic inhibitors,cardiac glycosides,and hormones

Summary Inhibition ofin vitro hepatic cell electrical membrane potentials (RP) by metabolic inhibitors constitutes further evidence that this is an electrophysiologically viable preparation. RP was rapidly and reversibly inhibited by 1mm cyanide (CN) and 1mm 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP). A gradual, irreversible decline of RP occurred following addition of 10mm iodoacetamide (IA). Digitoxin (1mm), but not ouabain, markedly inhibited hepatic cell RP, with immediate recovery of RP upon removal of this agent. Insulin andl-thyroxine had no effect on hepatic cell RP. The only significant effect of epinephrine was slight depolarization at a concentration of 0.01mm/liter.