NUCLEAR MICROANALYSIS OF THE MONOVALENT IONS DISTRIBUTION IN THE HUMAN AMNION .2. EFFECT OF TAURINE

The effect of taurine on the Na+, K+, Cl- concentration and distributi on in epithelial and compact layers of the human amniotic membrane had been investigated using the Bordeaux nuclear microprobe. Particle ind uced X-ray emission and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry techniq ues had been used to provide quantitative measurements. In physiologic al medium, the monovalent ions concentrations were identical in epithe lial and compact layers. The addition of taurine in Hanks' physiologic al fluid had no effect on Na+ concentration, but decreased K+ and Cl- concentration in both layers. The quantitative results were related to electrophysiological observations on the effect of taurine on ionic e xchanges through channels and paracellular pathways.