Redistribution of hepatocyte chloride during L-alanine uptake.

We used ion-sensitive, double-barrel microelectrodes to measure changes in hepatocyte transmembrane potential (Vm), intracellular K+, Cl-, and Na+ activities (aiK, aiCl and aiNa), and water volume during L-alanine uptake. Mouse liver slices were superfused with control and experimental Krebs physiological salt solutions. The experimental solution contained 20 mM L-alanine, and the control solution was adjusted to the same osmolality (305 mOsm) with added sucrose. Hepatocytes also were loaded with 50 mM tetramethylammonium ion (TMA+) for 10 min. Changes in cell water volume during L-alanine uptake were determined by changes in intracellular, steady-state TMA+ activity measured with the K+ electrode. Hepatocyte control Vm was -33 +/- 1 mV. L-alanine uptake first depolarized Vm by 2 +/- 0.2 mV and then hyperpolarized Vm by 5 mV to -38 +/- 1 mV (n = 16) over 6 to 13 min. During this hyperpolarization, aiNa increased by 30% from 19 +/- 2 to 25 +/- 3 mM (P < 0.01), and aiK did not change significantly from 83 +/- 3 mM. However, with added ouabain (1 mM) L-alanine caused only a 2-mV increase in Vm, but now aiK decreased from 61 +/- 3 to 54 +/- 5 mM (P < 0.05). Hyperpolarization of Vm by L-alanine uptake also resulted in a 38% decrease of aiCl from 20 +/- 2 to 12 +/- 3 mM (P < 0.001). Changes in Vm and VCl-Vm voltage traces were parallel during the time of L-alanine hyperpolarization, which is consistent with passive distribution of intracellular Cl- with the Vm in hepatocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)