A qualitative theory of the screening-binding effects of magnesium salts on epithelial cell membranes: a new hypothesis.

A theoretical explanation is given of the screening-binding effects of various magnesium salts on the ionic permeability of epithelial amniotic cell membranes. It is suggested that the 'screening process' induces an increase in the electrical membrane resistance and in membrane stability which is a unique action at low concentration. At high concentration, the binding process induces a reduction or an increase in these parameters as a function of the magnesium salt present. The different effects are due to changes in the distribution and in the repartition of the fixed charges on the cell membrane.