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Relation of Sodium to the Bioelectric Parameters of Rat Stomach

Nature volume 198, pages 1197–1198 (1963)Cite this article

Abstract

THE potential difference generated by gastric mucosa has been known for some time, but the nature of this potential has remained uncertain1. In frog gastric mucosa, chloride secretion is thought to be responsible for bioelectric differences2,3; however, in the lower intestine of rat4 and of turtle5 a mechanism dependent on sodium was shown to be the cause of the potential. Recently it was reported that the potential difference across the gastric mucosa of the rabbit fœtus is dependent on sodium6. The work recorded here shows by ion substitutions that the bioelectric potential of rat stomach is dependent on sodium ion and that a smaller potential exists which is opposite in electrical polarity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory, San Francisco, 24

    J. T. CUMMINS & B. E. VAUGHAN

Authors
  1. J. T. CUMMINS
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  2. B. E. VAUGHAN
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CUMMINS, J., VAUGHAN, B. Relation of Sodium to the Bioelectric Parameters of Rat Stomach. Nature 198, 1197–1198 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1038/1981197a0

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