Relationship between the resting membrane potential and the changes in the intraceullar Na and K concentrations ([Na]i and [K]i) was studied in 'Na-loaded' and K-depleted' soleus (SOL) muscles of rats which had fed a K-free diet for 40 and more days. 2. The extracellular space of the muscles was not significantly different between normal and K-deficient rats. The inulin space in both the 'fresh' and Na-rich' muscles can be determined by the same function relating the space to the muscle weight. 3. Presence of 2-5-15 mM-K in the recovery solution hyperpolarized the 'Na-rich' muscul fibres at the beginning of recovery. The hyperpolarized membrane potential exceeded, beyond the measured potential of 'fresh' muscle fibres, the theoretical potential derived from the ionic theory, or even beyond Ek. Then, the measured membrane potential declined progressively during the immersion in a recovery solution and returned to the steady-state value When a considerable Na extrusion and K uptake took place, the measured membrane potential became equal to Ek. 4.he maximal hyperpolarization occurring immediately after immersion in the recovery solution became smaller and had a shorter duration when increasing the external K concentration ([K]o) from 2-5 to 15mM. 5. The K-sensitive hyperpolarization was completely abolished on exposure to 0mM [K]o, on cooling to ca. 4 degrees C, and in the presence of oubain (10(-4) M). The inhibitory effects were reversed on returning to the control conditions. The membrane potential obtained after inhibition of the electrogenic Na-pump with cooling or ouabain agrees well with that predicted by the 'constant-field' equation. 7. The external Cl ions had a short-circuiting effect on the electrogenic Na-pumping activated on adding K ions. 8. The replacement of Na ions in a recovery solution with Li ions resulted in a faster rate of depolarization from the maximal hyperpolarizationp. It is concluded that the resting membrane potential of 'Na-loaded' and 'K-depleted' SOL muscle fibres is the sum of an ionic diffusion potential predicted by either the Nernst equation or the constant-field equation and of the potential produced by an electrogenic Na-pump.
