The effect of lithium and nitrate on potassium contractures in a glycerol-treated slow-twitch muscle of the rat.

Glycerol treatment (0.4 or 1.2 M) altered but did not abolish twitch, tetanus, potassium, or caffeine contractures in the rat soleus at 37 degrees C. The use of nitrate Krebs or lithium Krebs greatly reduced the effects of 1.2 M glycerol treatment on potassium contractures. The data indicate that the rat soleus is relatively resistant to the uncoupling effects of glycerol treatment and that both lithium and nitrate largely prevent these effects.