Rubidium as Substitute for Potassium in Rat Cardiac Tissue
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
16-4-2013 10:00 AM
End Date
16-4-2013 12:00 PM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Victor Esenabhalu
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Second Mentor's Name
Michael Bentley
Second Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Second Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
A normal cell contains a sodium/potassium ATPase pump that functions to maintain a high intracellular level of potassium (K+) inside the cell and high level of sodium (Na+) outside the cell. Since rubidium shares similar chemical properties with potassium and has a similar ionic radius it can replace potassium in cellular processes (Olga Jilkina et al). We used rat hearts as a model to quantify how rubidium will take over as potassium in the sodium/potassium pump. First, we used the Langendorff system to infuse the aorta of the rat heart with a buffer solution containing rubidium chloride so that it circulates through the coronary arteries. The Langendorff apparatus provides a means to control pH, temperature and pressure of the solutions perfusing the heart. A sequel to this procedure is the addition of ouabain to the buffer solution, which inhibits the activity of the sodium/potassium pump. Following each procedure, the hearts were freeze dried and examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The percentage of rubidium in the cardiac tissue is measured using an Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy system associated with the SEM. The heart continues to beat for up to one hour in the Langendorf apparatus. During this time, rubidium is taken up by the cells of the heart in a positive slope with respect to time while the heart continues to beat. In the sequel procedure with ouabain introduction, the rubidium uptake is expected to decrease while sodium is expected to accumulate inside the cell, causing the heart to stop beating.
Rubidium as Substitute for Potassium in Rat Cardiac Tissue
CSU Ballroom
A normal cell contains a sodium/potassium ATPase pump that functions to maintain a high intracellular level of potassium (K+) inside the cell and high level of sodium (Na+) outside the cell. Since rubidium shares similar chemical properties with potassium and has a similar ionic radius it can replace potassium in cellular processes (Olga Jilkina et al). We used rat hearts as a model to quantify how rubidium will take over as potassium in the sodium/potassium pump. First, we used the Langendorff system to infuse the aorta of the rat heart with a buffer solution containing rubidium chloride so that it circulates through the coronary arteries. The Langendorff apparatus provides a means to control pH, temperature and pressure of the solutions perfusing the heart. A sequel to this procedure is the addition of ouabain to the buffer solution, which inhibits the activity of the sodium/potassium pump. Following each procedure, the hearts were freeze dried and examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The percentage of rubidium in the cardiac tissue is measured using an Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy system associated with the SEM. The heart continues to beat for up to one hour in the Langendorf apparatus. During this time, rubidium is taken up by the cells of the heart in a positive slope with respect to time while the heart continues to beat. In the sequel procedure with ouabain introduction, the rubidium uptake is expected to decrease while sodium is expected to accumulate inside the cell, causing the heart to stop beating.
Recommended Citation
Mangan, Christina and Bisola Asaolu. "Rubidium as Substitute for Potassium in Rat Cardiac Tissue." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 16, 2013.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2013/poster-session-A/5
