Abstract

A monovalent meglumine (Nmethyl- D-glucamine; NMDG) cation has been, and is now, widely used as a substitute for a sodium cation (Na⁺) in Na-free buffers. The substitution of extracellular Na⁺ with NMDG in buffers is recognized as a method of the investigation and characterization of Na-dependent Cl^–/HCO3 ^–, Na⁺/H⁺ exchangers and other ion transport mechanisms in cells. NMDG is a compound of an alkaline nature. However, alkaline and isotonic properties of NMDG as well as its possible role in ion transport are disregarded by investigators. This paper deals with effects of NMDG on the pH, isotonicity, and osmolarity of the Na⁺ and chloride (Cl^–)-free buffer solutions. Literature data on NMDG use as a Na+ substitute for the investigation of ion transport across cell membrane is also discussed. The paper analyzes an example of the buffer where NaCl was substituted by NMDG, revises some methodological approaches used for investigating Na-related ion transport mechanisms and stresses that some of NMDG properties may not serve the purpose of studying ion transport in cells.

Author Details

Authors

• Donatas Stakisaitis¹
• Jurate Staneviciute²
• Rimas Jankunas³
• Darius Jasaitis⁴
• Janina Didziapetriene¹

Departments

• ¹ National Cancer Institute, Vilnius University, Vilnius,
• ² Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Department of Histology and Embryology, Kaunas,
• ³ Kaunas University of Medical Sciences, Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology, Kaunas, and
• ⁴ Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania

Address

Donatas Stakisaitis, MD, PhD
Habil D National Cancer Institute
Vilnius University
Baublio 3b, 08406, Vilnius, Lithuania
Email: [email protected]

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