Balance Salt Solution

Unit I

 A balanced salt solution (BSS) is a solution made to a physiological pH and salt concentration. Solutions most commonly include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and chloride. Balanced salt solutions are used for washing tissues and cells and are usually combined with other agents to treat the tissues and cells. They provide the cells with water and inorganic ions, while maintaining a physiological pH and osmotic pressure. Sometimes glucose is added as an energy source and phenol red is used as a pH indicator.

List of Balanced Salt Solutions

Alsever's solution Earle's balanced salt solution (EBSS) Gey's balanced salt solution (GBSS) Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) (Dulbecco's) Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) Puck's balanced salt solution Ringer's balanced salt solution (RBSS) Simm's balanced salt solution (SBSS) TRIS-buffered saline (TBS) Tyrode's balanced salt solution (TBSS)

Dulbecco`s Phosphate Buffered Saline (DPBS)

Dulbecco's Phosphate Buffered Saline (DPBS) is intended to provide a buffer system for maintaining cell culture media in the physiological range of 7.2-7.6. It's utility in maintaining mammalian cells when a balanced, chemically-defined salt solution provides the appropriate milieu to sustain the physiological and structural integrity (i.e. tonicity/viability) of cells in vitro for a limited period of time

With or without Calcium and Magnesium?

DPBS without Calcium and Magnesium is used in the dissociation process to wash and resuspend cells when the presence of Calcium and Magnesium may inhibit Trypsin activity. Balanced Salts are generally utilized to maintain cells for the short term in a viable condition rather than to promote their growth while the cells are manipulated outside of their regular growth environment. During these intervals, the cells maintenance requirements are such that osmotic balance and physiological pH are at the forefront as such isotonic solutions like DPBS without Calcium Chloride and Magnesium Chloride protects the cells from acute fluctuations, likely encountered, during laboratory manipulations.

The current role of Balanced Salt Solutions in Cell Culture

Provides cells with water and certain bulk inorganic ions essential for normal cell metabolism. Serves not only as an irrigating and transporting fluid, but also as a diluent (i.e. especially in cell enumerations) while maintaining osmoregulation, the optimal and constant balance of osmotic pressure gradients between the intracellular and extracellular compartments. Provides a Buffering System to support the medium within the physiological range of 7.2-7.6 When combined with a carbohydrate (CHO) such as Glucose (C6H12O6),it provides the principal energy source for Cellular Metabolic Processes.

sodium acetate

It has diuretic and electrolyte replacement properties. Following absorption, sodium

acetate generates sodium bicarbonate, thereby raising blood and urine pH. sodium chloride - When depleted in the body, sodium must be replaced in order to maintain intracellular osmolarity. sodium citrate - The sodium salt form of citrate with alkalinizing property. Upon absorption, sodium citrate dissociate and causes increased plasma bicarbonate concentration, thereby buffer excess H+, raise blood pH and reverse the clinical manifestations of acidosis. calcium chloride - A crystalline, white substance, soluble in water, Calcium Chloride is the chloride salt of calcium, a bivalent metallic element with many crucial biological roles. Calcium plays many roles as an intracellular and plasma ion as well. magnesium chloride - Magnesium Chloride was used as a laxative. An alkaline earth metal, magnesium is important for many biochemical functions. More than 300 enzymes require magnesium. potassium chloride - A metal halide composed of potassium and chloride. Potassium maintains intracellular tonicity, is required for nerve conduction, cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscle contraction, production of energy, the synthesis of nucleic acids, maintenance of blood pressure and normal renal function. This agent has potential antihypertensive effects and when taken as a nutritional supplement may prevent hypokalemia.