Cooperative control of potassium accumulation by ouabain in vascular smooth muscle.

The effects of ouabain on potassium accumulation were studied in the dog carotid artery. It was confirmed that vascular smooth muscle lost potassium in the presence of ouabain greater than 10(-9) molar. This effect could be reversed by systematically increasing potassium in the external medium. The action of ouabain on ion accumulation was represented quantitatively with the application of a recent biophysical approach.