The Effect of Molixan, a Disulfide-Containing Immunomodulator, on Na+ Transport across Frog Skin Epithelium

Abstract

The effect of the pharmacological analogue of oxidized glutathione, disulfide-containing immunomodulator molixan, on the Na⁺ transport in the frog skin epithelium was studied. Using the voltage-clamp method, it was shown for the first time that molixan modulated Na⁺ transport in the frog skin epithelium. It was found that the application of molixan from the apical surface of the skin suppressed Na⁺ transport, whereas when added from the basolateral surface, molixan mimicked the action of insulin and stimulated Na⁺ transport. The results indicate that oxidized glutathione and its pharmacological analogues molixan and glutoxim unidirectionally modulate Na⁺ transport in frog skin.