A simple method for recording the relative volumetric changes in cells adhering to glass

: The paper describes a simple method for registering the relative volume changes of the cells adhering to a glass surface. The changes in the luminosity of cells which followed changes in the osmolarity of the medium were registered by means of microscope with a dark-field condenser and the photoelement connected through the DC amplifier to the continuous ink recorder. It was proved that changes in the cells luminosity really represented the relative cell volume changes. The method allows continuous recording of the amplitude and time course of cell volume changes throughout the experiment with many changes of the solution perfusing the cell chamber, which makes it possible to study the effects of pharmacological agents on the mechanisms of cell volume regulation. Provided that the cell membranes are destroyed by detergents the method allows measurement of the activity of the cell contractile apparatus.