 It has been demonstrated that incubation of lymphocytes and neuronal cells in elevated concentrations of potassium ions provides protection from apoptosis.This phenomenon was demonstrated in tears, which have higher levels of potassium ions, and bathe cells of the eye and therefore provides protection from UVB radiation.Reduction of potassium ions promotes apoptosis and the synthesis of initiator caspase-8 and the effector caspase-3.