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Chloride absorption in salt-sensitive Carrizo citrange and salt-tolerant Cleopatra mandarin citrus rootstocks is linked to water use.

In this work, seedlings of two citrus rootstocks, the salt-tolerant Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus reshni Hort. ex Tan.) and the salt-sensitive Carrizo citrange (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osb. x Poncirus trifoliata [L.] Raf.) were used to study the relationship between chloride and water uptake. The results indicated that net chloride uptake rates in both genotypes were alike and decreased linearly with the time of salinity exposure, although they were more rapidly reduced in the tolerant genotype. In each rootstock, chloride uptake rates paralleled the decreases in transpiration rates. When transpiration was modified, concomitant changes in leaf Cl(-) concentrations were observed. There was a high positive correlation between total chloride content per plant and total water absorbed. In addition, the data indicate that the tolerant genotype "excluded" more chloride, i.e. it absorbed lower amounts of chloride per volume of water. Cleopatra also possessed a less efficient root system for water uptake and a higher shoot-to-root ratio. The results show that, overall, chloride absorption is linked to water use and that further tolerance in Cleopatra is mostly conferred by superior root resistance to Cl(-) uptake. Therefore, it is proposed that chloride absorption and, hence, salt tolerance in citrus depends to a great extent upon water use.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Cohort and case-control analyses of workers exposed to vinyl chloride: an update.

The mortality in a cohort of workers at a vinyl chloride polymerization plant has been updated, extending the period of observation in the original study from 1974 to 1986. Workers at this plant may have been exposed to vinyl chloride monomer and/or polyvinyl chloride dust, or may have had no exposure to either substance. Seventy-six percent of the work force worked in jobs with potential exposure to vinyl chloride monomer. Among the total cohort, statistically significant excess risks were observed for liver, lung, and brain cancer. For the subcohort of workers exposed to vinyl chloride monomer, the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for liver cancer was 333 (90% confidence interval (CI) 202 to 521). However, there were no significant excesses of either brain (SMR = 145, 90% CI 78 to 249) or lung cancer (SMR = 115, 90% CI 96 to 141). To investigate dose response, nested case-control studies for liver, brain, and lung cancer were conducted among the total cohort (including the nonexposed). For these studies there were two exposure variables, cumulative dose of vinyl chloride monomer and cumulative dose of polyvinyl chloride dust. Cumulative dose was defined as the product of level and duration of exposure. The only significant association between disease risk and cumulative dose was for liver cancer and cumulative dose of vinyl chloride monomer. Further division of the liver cancers into angiosarcoma (n = 12) and other liver cancers (n = 7), based on review of death certificates and medical records, showed that the dose response existed only for angiosarcomas.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Characterization of cell volume-sensitive chloride currents in freshly prepared and cultured pancreatic acinar cells from early postnatal rats.

1. In freshly prepared and cultured exocrine pancreatic acinar cells from 5- to 7-day-old rats a chloride-selective membrane conductance could be activated by intracellular application of GTPgammaS (40-100 microM), by application of positive pressure (5 cmH2O) to the pipette interior or by challenging the cells with a hyposmolar bath solution. Hyperosmolar bath solutions inhibited the cell volume-sensitive chloride currents. 2. The anion permeability sequence of the cell volume-sensitive chloride conductance was I- > Cl- approximately Br- > F- > methanesulphonate- > glutamate-. I- had a higher permeability but lower conductance than Cl-. The permeability ratio for Pglutamate/PCl was 0.12. 3. The cell volume-sensitive chloride conductance showed outward rectification. Membrane depolarization to high positive voltages (>= +60 mV) caused a time-dependent decay in outward currents. 4. DIDS (4, 4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid) and SITS (4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid) reversibly inhibited the cell volume-sensitive chloride current in a voltage-dependent manner. NPPB (5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid), quinidine, quinine and tamoxifen caused voltage-independent current inhibition. 5. Combined fura-2 and whole-cell current measurements showed that activation of the cell volume-sensitive chloride current does not involve cytosolic Ca2+ signals. Furthermore, there is no evidence that Ca2+-activated chloride currents play a significant role in cultured pancreatic acinar cells from 5- to 7-day-old rats. 6. Polymerase chain reaction followed by DNA sequence analysis indicated the presence of mRNA homologous to the ClC-3 chloride channel in pancreatic tissue from 5-day-old rats.

Animals↗

Transient chloride binding as a contributory factor to corneal stromal swelling in the ox.

1. Investigations were made of the cation exchange capacity of fresh isolated ox corneal stroma (Q, units: mequiv fixed stromal charge/kg stromal fluid) at pH 7.4 over a variety of stomal hydrations (H, units: kg stromal fluid/kg dry tissue) both above and below the physiological hydration of 3.2, whilst the stromas were immersed in a variety of sodium chloride solutions (range 5-1000 mM). 2. At any particular salt concentration, the product QH (dry tissue exchange capacity, units: mequiv/kg dry tissue) appeared constant, over all the hydrations investigated. 3. Dry tissue exchange capacity (QH) varied, however, when the bathing salt concentration was altered. It varied between 55 mequiv/kg dry tissue (e.g. Q = 17 mequiv at H = 3.2) in 5 mM-NaCl to 240 mequiv/kg dry tissue (e.g. Q = 75 mequiv/l at H = 3.2) in 1000 mM-NaCl. 4. The variation of stromal exchange capacity in NaCl solutions of different concentrations was similar when detected by three independent procedures: stromal gel pressure measurements, intrastromal sodium ion distributions, and intrastromal electrical potentials. 5. Intrastromal chloride ion distributions were anomalous. Total chloride (measured by radio-isotopes) was consistently higher than that predicted by Donnan theory. 6. The data were consistent with Elliott's hypothesis that a fraction of intrastromal chloride ions bind to the corneal stromal matrix and in so doing contribute to the fixed negative charge of the stroma. 7. Our observations may be explained by a model of the cation exchange capacity of ox cornea which has two types of components. On is (at constant pH) invariant, and has a dry tissue exchange capacity of about 50 mequiv/kg dry tissue, and is probably generated by the sulphonic and carboxylic acid groups of the glycosaminoglycans. The other is explained by supposing it to consist of a chloride binding ligand which exhibits first order binding, is half occupied at ambient chloride concentrations of 300 mM, and has a total capacity of 240 mequiv/kg dry tissue. 8. Partial stromal extraction with 4 M-guanidine HCl indicated that the chloride binding ligand is not associated with the collagen molecules in the corneal stromal fibrils. 9. It is suggested that such a stromal chloride ion binding ligand would help to stabilize the hydration and transparency of the living cornea when it is exposed to environments of varying tonicity (such as in river or sea bathing).

Animals↗

Failure of P-glycoprotein (MDR1) expressed in Xenopus oocytes to produce swelling-activated chloride channel activity.

1. P-glycoprotein, the protein product of the multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene, has ATP-dependent transporter activity. It has been suggested that P-glycoprotein may also function as a volume-regulated chloride channel or chloride channel regulator. To assess the chloride channel function of P-glycoprotein, we examined swelling-activated chloride conductances in Xenopus oocytes injected with human MDR1 cRNA. 2. Functional expression of P-glycoprotein in Xenopus oocytes was confirmed using Western blot analysis and by assessing transport of the P-glycoprotein substrate, calcein AM. 3. Endogenous, swelling-activated chloride conductances were virtually absent by the time P-glycoprotein expression was confirmed. Thus, this expression system afforded the advantage of assessing putative MDR1-associated chloride currents in the absence of background currents. 4. The currents activated by hypotonic shock (50%) in both MDR1-injected and control (water-injected) oocytes were not significantly different. The swelling response was due in part to the activation of a potassium-selective conductance which could be inhibited by barium. No chloride-selective currents were activated by hypotonic shock in the presence or absence of barium. Therefore, we conclude that P-glycoprotein expression does not produce a swelling-activated chloride conductance in the Xenopus oocyte expression system.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Examining basal chloride transport using the nasal potential difference response in a murine model.

Epithelia of humans and mice with cystic fibrosis are unable to secrete chloride in response to a chloride gradient or to cAMP-elevating agents. Bioelectrical properties measured using the nasal transepithelial potential difference (TEPD) assay are believed to reflect these cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-dependent chloride transport defects. Although the response to forskolin is CFTR mediated, the mechanisms responsible for the response to a chloride gradient are unknown. TEPD measurements performed on inbred mice were used to compare the responses to low chloride and forskolin in vivo. Both responses show little correlation between or within inbred strains of mice, suggesting they are mediated through partially distinct mechanisms. In addition, these responses were assayed in the presence of several chloride channel inhibitors, including DIDS, diphenylamine-2-carboxylate, glibenclamide, and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid, and a protein kinase A inhibitor, the Rp diastereomer of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate (Rp-cAMPS). The responses to low chloride and forskolin demonstrate significantly different pharmacological profiles to both DIDS and Rp-cAMPS, indicating that channels in addition to CFTR contribute to the low chloride response.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Increased loop chloride uptake precedes hypertension in Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

When studied at equivalent renal perfusion pressures, loop segment chloride reabsorption is greater in hypertensive Dahl salt-sensitive (S) than Dahl salt-resistant (R) rats. To determine whether this difference in loop reabsorption is present before the onset of hypertension, volume expanded and euvolemic Dahl rats maintained on low NaCl diets were examined using micropuncture and in vivo microperfusion techniques. Neuroendocrine differences between groups were eliminated by renal denervation and fixing plasma aldosterone, norepinephrine, and vasopressin levels. After volume expansion, urinary NaCl excretion was less in S than R rats. Early distal tubule fluid-to-plasma chloride and inulin (TF/PCl/IN) ratio and chloride delivery were also less while loop chloride reabsorption was greater in S rats. Proximal delivery was not different between groups. In euvolemia, urinary NaCl excretion and loop chloride reabsorption were not different between S and R rats. However, when loop chloride delivery was increased by microperfusion techniques, lower distal TF/PCl/IN ratios and greater loop chloride reabsorption were clearly demonstrated in euvolemic S rats. Thus loop chloride reabsorption is greater in S than R rats before the development of hypertension. This difference depends on increasing delivery rates for its manifestation.

Animals↗

Chloride-depletion alkalosis with a normal extracellular fluid volume.

Current concepts hold that volume expansion is essential to the correction of chloride-depletion alkalosis (CDA) with chloride repletion in a permissive role. In this scheme, intranephronal fluid reabsorption would be redistributed with increased delivery to the distal nephron where the provided chloride is readily reabsorbed and the limited capacity for bicarbonate reabsorption would promote bicarbonate excretion and correction of CDA. In a model of CDA produced by peritoneal dialysis against 0.15 M NaHCO3, we have shown complete correction of CDA within 24 h without volume expansion by either oral isotonic sodium or chloride salts with 70 mM chloride and despite an obligatory bicarbonate load and negative sodium and potassium balance. During correction of CDA without volume expansion in rats by intravenous isotonic fluids containing 80 mM chloride, fractional fluid and chloride reabsorptions in the proximal convoluted tubule and in the loop segment of superficial nephrons were not different from controls but chloride reabsorption was enhanced in the collecting duct segment and probably within the distal convolution. Despite no differences in serial hematocrits, blood pressure, and measured plasma volume, kidney and nephron glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were reduced in CDA and returned to normal upon recovery 24 h later.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alkalosis↗

The regulation of chloride homeostasis in the small nonspiking visual interneurons of the fly compound eye.

1. We have used intracellular recordings and ionophoretic injections in vivo to investigate the ion exchange mechanisms responsible for the maintenance of the ion gradients in the large monopolar cells (LMCs) of the first optic ganglion of the blowfly, Calliphora vicinia. 2. Ionophoretic chloride injections caused a rapid approximately 20-mV depolarization of the resting potential (Erp) and abolished or even reversed the light-ON response (OR), which is caused by histamine-gated chloride conductance, as the chloride equilibrium potential (ECl) was increased beyond the Erp, i.e., 50 mV upward. Ionophoretic sodium injections were found to mimic the action of the ionophoretic chloride injections and thus also to cause chloride accumulation inside the cell. 3. Ionophoretic injections of bicarbonate only had the effect of hyperpolarizing the Erp by 5-15 mV for 1-25 s, but chloride gradient, i.e., ECl remained unchanged. Intracellular proton load caused depolarization of the Erp by 15 +/- 5 mV (mean +/- SE) for 20-25 s and a slight 15 +/- 5-mV decrease of the peak OR. Ionophoretic injections of potassium, acetate, and furosemide failed to cause any physiological effect. 4. The time constant for the recovery of the peak OR after sodium load increased linearly as a function of injected charge whereby the time constant for the recovery after chloride accumulation increased slowly up to 50 nC of injected charge, after which it increased rapidly, possibly indicating substrate inhibition. The time constant for the recovery of peak OR after sodium load was from 5 to 65 nC greater than that of chloride.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Enhanced chloride reabsorption in the loop of Henle in Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

This study examines the nephron segments contributing to the blunted pressure-natriuretic response in Dahl salt-sensitive rats. Urine and late proximal and early distal tubular fluid samples were collected from 16-20-week-old, inbred Dahl salt-sensitive (DS/Jr) and salt-resistant (DR/Jr) rats, and Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) and salt-resistant (DR) rats from the Brookhaven colony, that were maintained from birth on a low (0.3%) sodium chloride diet. Urine flow and sodium and chloride excretions were 65% less in the DS/Jr than in the DR/Jr rats when their kidneys were perfused at an equal renal perfusion pressure of approximately 150 mm Hg. The percentages of the filtered load of water and chloride remaining at the end of the proximal tubule were significantly greater in DS/Jr rats than in DR/Jr rats; however, the percentages of the filtered load of water and chloride reaching the early distal tubule were significantly less, by 29% and 77%, respectively. Fractional reabsorption of water and chloride in the loop of Henle of DS/Jr rats was twice that observed in DR/Jr rats. Similar results were obtained in DS and DR rats of the Brookhaven strain. Urine flow and sodium and chloride excretions were 60% lower in DS than in DR rats at a renal perfusion pressure of 135 mm Hg. Proximal tubular reabsorption of water and chloride was similar in DS and DR rats; however, the percentages of the filtered load of water and chloride reabsorbed in the loop of Henle were greater in DS than in DR rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Absorption↗

Effect of dietary chloride on salt-sensitive and renin-dependent hypertension.

We have previously reported that 1) selective dietary sodium loading (without chloride) does not produce hypertension in rats of the Dahl salt-sensitive strain (DS) and 2) selective chloride loading (without sodium) lowers plasma renin activity in the intact Sprague-Dawley rat maintained on a low NaCl diet. The present study examined the effect of selective dietary chloride loading on two models of hypertension: the DS and the renin-dependent one-kidney, one clip Sprague-Dawley rat. The DS were pair-fed (n = 7/group) a "normal" NaCl, a high NaCl (4%), or a "normal" sodium-high chloride diet for 11 weeks. From Week 7 until the end of the experiment, the high NaCl-fed animals had higher (p less than or equal to 0.05) blood pressures than animals fed either the normal NaCl or normal sodium-high chloride diet, which were not different from each other. Thus, in the DS, hypertension depends on high dietary intakes of both sodium and chloride. In one-kidney, one clip hypertensive rats, selective chloride loading failed to lower plasma renin activity (9 +/- 1 vs 7 +/- 1 ng angiotensin I/ml/hr) or to prevent hypertension (160 +/- 10 vs 166 +/- 9 mm Hg). Thus, selective dietary chloride loading (without sodium) does not alter blood pressure in either salt-sensitive or renin-dependent hypertension.

Animals↗

Aluminium deposition in liver and kidney following acute intravenous administration of aluminium chloride or citrate in conscious rats.

1. Plasma, urinary, liver and kidney cell aluminium (Al) levels were monitored in the rat, 1h after intravenous administration of 29630 nmol (800 micrograms) Al as either Al chloride or as Al citrate (Al chloride plus excess sodium citrate). Al levels were measured in plasma, urine and liver by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Liver and kidney Al content was measured at the cellular and subcellular level by electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPXMA). 2. Urinary excretion of Al was significantly higher (P < 0.01), when Al was given as the citrate than as the chloride. After 1h, plasma Al levels were significantly lower in the Al citrate group than the Al chloride group (59 +/- 3.7 vs 877 +/- 214 nmol ml-1, respectively; P < 0.01). 3. Al concentrations were significantly higher in the livers of rats receiving Al chloride (818 +/- 252 nmol g-1 wet weight; P < 0.05), than in either control or Al citrate groups (122 +/- 41 and 107 +/- 26 nmol g-1 wet weight, respectively). Al concentrations derived from EPXMA measurements were in agreement with AAS values for the three groups, with significantly higher Al concentrations in the Al chloride group (1.7 +/- 0.4 nmol mg-1 dry weight; P < 0.05) than in the control or Al citrate groups, where Al was not detectable. EPXMA analysis showed that Al was distributed in all liver organelles analysed (cytoplasm, mitochondria, nucleus, ER) and was not preferentially taken up by any one organelle in Al chloride treated rats. 4. Significant amounts of Al were found in cytoplasm and mitochondria of proximal tubule cells of rats given Al citrate (0.64 +/- 0.15 and 0.80 +/- 0.11 nmol mg-1 dry weight, respectively), but not in nuclei or lysosomes of these cells. Al levels were not detectable in control kidneys, in proximal tubule cells after Al chloride administration or distal tubule cells after either Al treatment.

Aluminum↗

The role of chloride channels in osteoclasts: ClC-7 as a target for osteoporosis treatment.

Chloride ions play a major role in osteoclast biology and bone homeostasis. In addition to its general cellular roles, chloride is involved in the specific bone resorption activity of osteoclasts. The chloride channel ClC-7 has been shown to be mandatory for bone resorption. It is necessary for the acidification of the resorption lacunae. In addition to ClC-7, other chloride channels and exchangers have been identified in osteoclasts. The bicarbonate-chloride exchanger at the plasma membrane of osteoclasts is important for regulating the cytoplasmic pH during bone resorption. The role of the additional chloride channels or putative chloride channels identified in osteoclasts, volume-regulated anion channel, Chlor.62 and CLIC1 has not been established. To date, ClC-7 is the only known chloride channel whose disruption or mutation leads to a bone disease: osteopetrosis, which is characterized by an increased bone mass. Inhibition of ClC-7 constitutes a new potential way to treat osteoporosis. The expression of ClC-7 is restricted to few tissues with very high expression in the osteoclasts in bone. Pharmacologically, inhibitors of acidification of the resorption lacunae have proved to be unique, as inhibition leads to a decrease in bone resorption without affecting bone formation, suggesting that the coupling principle has been challenged. Thus, ClC-7 inhibitors may prove to be potent for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Animals↗

Modeling spontaneous activity in the developing spinal cord using activity-dependent variations of intracellular chloride.

We investigated how spontaneous activity is generated in developing, hyperexcitable networks. We focused our study on the embryonic chick spinal cord, a preparation that exhibits rhythmic discharge on multiple timescales: slow episodes (lasting minutes) and faster intraepisode cycling (approximately 1 Hz frequency). For this purpose, we developed a mean field model of a recurrent network with slow chloride dynamics and a fast depression variable. We showed that the model, in addition to providing a biophysical mechanism for the slow dynamics, was able to account for the experimentally observed activity. The model made predictions on how interval and duration of episodes are affected when changing chloride-mediated synaptic transmission or chloride flux across cell membrane. These predictions guided experiments, and the model results were compared with experimental data obtained with electrophysiological recordings. We found agreement when transmission was affected through changes in synaptic conductance and good qualitative agreement when chloride flux was varied through changes in external chloride concentration or in the rate of the Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter. Furthermore, the model made predictions about the time course of intracellular chloride concentration and chloride reversal potential and how these are affected by changes in synaptic conductance. Based on the comparison between modeling and experimental results, we propose that chloride dynamics could be an important mechanism in rhythm generation in the developing chick spinal cord.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

Segmental chloride transport in the Dahl-S rat kidney during L-arginine administration.

L-Arginine normalizes pressure natriuresis in Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats. The nephron segments responsible for improvement in sodium chloride handling during L-arginine administration are unknown. Micropuncture techniques were used to examine fluid and chloride transport along superficial nephron segments in DS rats maintained on an 8% sodium diet and given L-arginine or vehicle ip for 3 wk. Renal perfusion pressure in vehicle-treated DS rats was reduced to that of L-arginine-treated DS rats with an aortic snare. Dahl salt-resistant (DR) rats receiving vehicle were examined for comparison. In agreement with previous studies, urinary sodium chloride excretion was greater (P < 0.05) in L-arginine DS rats than in vehicle DS rats and not different from DR rats at equivalent renal perfusion pressures. Whole-kidney and single-nephron GFR were not different (P = not significant) among groups. Fractional proximal tubule chloride and fluid reabsorption was not different among groups. Fractional loop chloride reabsorption was greater in vehicle-treated DS rats than in DR rats (58.5 +/- 1.5 versus 46.6 +/- 1.7%; P < 0.05), confirming the enhanced chloride reabsorption at this location in DS rats previously reported. Fractional loop chloride reabsorption was identical in vehicle- and L-arginine-treated DS rats (58.4 +/- 1.4 versus 58.9 +/- 3.9%; P = not significant). Fractional loop fluid reabsorption was not different among groups. Fractional distal fluid and chloride reabsorption was not different between DS rat groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Absorption↗

Effects of alum and aluminum chloride on phosphorus runoff from swine manure.

Phosphorus (P) runoff from fields fertilized with swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) manure may contribute to eutrophication. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of aluminum sulfate (alum) and aluminum chloride applications to swine manure on P runoff from small plots cropped to tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.). There were six treatments in this study: (i) unfertilized control plots, (ii) untreated manure, (iii) manure with alum at 215 mg Al L(-1), (iv) manure with aluminum chloride at 215 mg Al L(-1), (v) manure with alum at 430 mg Al L(-1), and (vi) manure with aluminum chloride at 430 mg Al L(-1). Manure application rates were equivalent to approximately 125 kg N ha(-1). Alum and aluminum chloride additions lowered soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) levels from about 130 mg P L(-1) to approximately 30 mg P L(-1) at low rates. At high rates, SRP levels in swine manure were around 1 mg P L(-1). Soluble reactive P concentrations in runoff were 5.50, 3.66, 3.00, 0.87, 0.87, and 0.55 mg P L(-1), for normal manure, low alum, low aluminum chloride, high alum, high aluminum chloride, and unfertilized control plots, respectively. Hence, high alum and aluminum chloride reduced SRP concentrations in runoff by 84% and were not statistically different from SRP concentrations in runoff from unfertilized control plots. These data indicate that treating swine manure with alum or aluminum chloride could result in significant reductions in nonpoint-source P runoff.

Alum Compounds↗

Intracellular chloride channels: critical mediators of cell viability and potential targets for cancer therapy.

The passage of ions to form and maintain electrochemical gradients is a key element for regulating cellular activities and is dependent on specific channel proteins or complexes. Certain ion channels have been the targets of pharmaceuticals that have had impact on a variety of cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Chloride channels regulate the movement of a major cellular anion, and in so doing they in part determine cell membrane potential, modify transepithelial transport, and maintain intracellular pH and cell volume. There are multiple families of chloride channel proteins, and respiratory, neuromuscular, and renal dysfunction may result from mutations in specific family members. Interest in chloride channels related to cancer first arose when the multidrug resistance protein (MDR/P-glycoprotein) was linked to volume-activated chloride channel activity in cancer cells from patients undergoing chemotherapy. More recently, CLC, CLIC, and CLCA intracellular chloride channels have been recognized for their contributions in modifying cell cycle, apoptosis, cell adhesion, and cell motility. Moreover, advances in structural biology and high-throughput screening provide a platform to identify chemical compounds that modulate the activities of intracellular chloride channels thereby influencing chloride ion transport and altering cell behavior. This review will focus on several chloride channel families that may contribute to the cancer phenotype and suggest how they may serve as novel targets for primary cancer therapy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of intravenous ferric or aluminum chloride on the uptake of 203Pb into brain and other soft tissues of rats.

The hypothesis was investigated that colloidal ferric or aluminum hydroxides, formed in blood plasma in vivo, potently absorb lead and thus profoundly influence uptake of lead into certain soft tissues. Rats were given 203Pb i.v. to obtain a near constant plasma level of 203Pb. Tissue uptake of 203Pb at 1 hr was determined with and without the i.v. infusion of 5.0 mM ferric chloride or 5.0 mM aluminum chloride. Infusion of Fe chloride or Al chloride suppressed the uptake of 203Pb into brain, cerebrospinal fluid, skeletal muscle, kidney and red cells by 70 to 94%. In contrast, the uptake of 203Pb into liver and spleen was not significantly reduced, in the case of spleen being greater after Fe chloride or Al chloride infusion. The latter increases were not statistically significant. After ultracentrifugation, greater than 70% of plasma 203Pb activity was associated with the hydroxide-protein pellet (Fe chloride and Al chloride experiments). The ultrafilterable 203Pb in such sera was reduced by greater than 90% compared with controls. By the use of the lead electrode in vitro, lead adsorption to ferric hydroxide was confirmed. Thus, in vivo formation of colloidal hydroxides must occur under the authors' conditions, leading to a reduction of ionized lead in plasma and lower uptake where this depends on free lead and comparable or enhanced uptake into tissues containing reticuloendothelial cells capable of phagocytosis.

Aluminum↗