Influence of trace metal ions on transport across pericardial membrane: Evaluation of effective fixed charge density

Abstract

The membrane potentials generated by concentration gradient of 2:1 electrolytes across the pericardium obtained from buffalo <em>(</em><em>Bof. bubalis</em><em>) </em>have been used to evaluate the thermodynamically fixed charge densities. The results have been analysed in accordance with the theories of Kobatake <em>et </em><em>al</em><em>. </em>and Nagasawa <em>e</em><em>t </em><em>a</em><em>i</em><em>. </em>The charge densities evaluated by different methods are almost same. It is concluded that apparent transport number (tapp) values for different electrolytes increase with increase in concentration of electrolytes across the membrane. The membrane potentials generated by the bivalent ions decrease algebraically with the increase in concentration of the electrolyte. The data also suggest that the pericardial membrane is positively charged and is anion selective.