KCl co-transport across the basolateral membrane of rabbit renal proximal straight tubules.

Mammalian renal proximal tubules reabsorb large amounts of chloride. Mechanisms of the transcellular chloride transport are poorly understood. To determine whether KCl co-transport exists in the basolateral membrane of mammalian renal proximal tubule, isolated rabbit proximal straight tubules (S2 segment) were perfused in vitro, and intracellular activities of potassium and chloride (aKi, aCli) were measured by double-barreled ion-selective microelectrodes. aCli did not change when basolateral membrane voltage was altered by application of a direct current through perfusion pipette. aCli changes in response to bath chloride elimination were not affected by current application as well, indicating that the basolateral chloride transport is electroneutral. An increase in potassium concentration of the bath fluid from 5 to 20 mM reversibly increased aCli by 10 mM. This response of aCli to a change in the bath potassium concentration was also observed when luminal chloride was removed, or ambient sodium was totally removed. aKi significantly decreased by 5 mM when chloride was removed from the bath. These data demonstrate the existence of an electroneutral Na+-independent KCl co-transport in the basolateral membrane of the rabbit proximal tubule. Calculated electrochemical driving force was favorable for the movement of KCl from the cell to the peritubular fluid.     

Regulation of cell pH by ambient bicarbonate, carbon dioxide tension, and pH in the rabbit proximal convoluted tubule.

To study the regulation of cell pH by ambient pH, carbon dioxide tension (PCO2), and bicarbonate (HCO3), cell pH was measured in the isolated, in vitro microperfused rabbit proximal convoluted tubule using the fluorescent dye (2',7')-bis-(carboxyethyl)-(5,6)-carboxyfluorescein. For the same changes in external pH, changes in [HCO3] and PCO2 affected cell pH similarly ([HCO3]: pHi/pHe = 0.67, PCO2: pHi/pHe = 0.64, NS). Isohydric changes in extracellular [HCO3] and PCO2 did not change cell pH significantly. Changes in peritubular [HCO3] elicited larger changes in cell pH than changes in luminal [HCO3], which were enhanced by peritubular 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (SITS). The cell pH defense against acute increases and decreases in PCO2 was inhibited by sodium, but not by chloride removal. Peritubular SITS inhibited the cell pH defense against increases and decreases of PCO2, whereas luminal amiloride inhibited cell pH defense against increases in PCO2. Conclusions: (a) Steady-state cell pH changes in response to changes in extracellular [HCO3] and PCO2 are quantitatively similar for a given change in extracellular pH; (b) the rate of the basolateral Na/(HCO3)3 cotransporter is a more important determinant of cell pH than the rate of the apical membrane mechanism(s); (c) cell pH defense against acute changes in PCO2 depends on the basolateral Na/(HCO3)3 cotransporter (acid and alkaline loads) and the luminal Na/H antiporter (acid loads).     

Cell pH in the rat proximal convoluted tubule. Regulation by luminal and peritubular pH and sodium concentration.

To examine the relative roles of apical and basolateral membrane transport mechanisms in the regulation of cell pH in the proximal convoluted tubule, cell pH was measured in the in vivo microperfused rat tubule using fluorescence. Decreasing luminal pH by 0.7 pH units caused cell pH to decrease by 0.08 pH units, whereas a similar decrease in peritubular pH caused cell pH to decrease by 0.32 pH units. Inhibition of basolateral membrane bicarbonate transport with peritubular 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (SITS) enhanced the response to luminal fluid acidification. Removal of luminal sodium caused a small transient acidification which was followed by a late alkalinization. Peritubular SITS increased the magnitude of the transient acidification, and eliminated the late alkalinization. The acidification was partially inhibited by luminal amiloride. The results demonstrate sodium-coupled processes on both the apical (Na/H antiport) and basolateral (Na/HCO3 symport) membranes. Basolateral membrane transporters are more important determinants of cell pH.     

Apical membrane chloride/base exchange in the rat proximal convoluted tubule.

To examine whether Cl/base exchange is present on the apical membrane of the proximal convoluted tubule, cell pH was measured fluorometrically in the in vivo microperfused rat proximal tubule with (2',7')-bis(carboxyethyl)-(5,6)-carboxyfluorescein. The effect of luminal chloride addition was examined in tubules perfused symmetrically with chloride-free solutions. In the absence of inhibitors, luminal chloride addition did not affect cell pH. However, after inhibition of basolateral membrane anion transport with peritubular 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyano-(2,2')-disulfonic-stilbene (to amplify effects of apical membrane transport on cell pH), luminal chloride addition caused a small cell acidification (delta pHi = 0.02). When 1 mM formate was added to the solutions, luminal chloride addition caused a larger change in cell pH (delta pHi = 0.06) that was inhibited by (4,4')-diisothiocyano-(2,2')-disulfonic-stilbene. This stimulation of Cl/base exchange was not seen with 1 mM acetate addition. These results demonstrate apical membrane Cl/base exchange, a significant fraction of which is dependent on the presence of formate and probably represents Cl/formate exchange.     

Basolateral membrane Na+/H+ antiport, Na+/base cotransport, and Na+-independent Cl-/base exchange in the rabbit S3 proximal tubule.

The basolateral membrane Na+ and Cl(-)-dependent acid-base transport processes were studied in the isolated perfused rabbit S3 proximal straight tubule. Intracellular pH (pHi) was measured with 2'7'-biscarboxyethyl-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) and a microfluorometer coupled to the tubule perfusion apparatus. Reduction of basolateral HCO3- from 25 to 5 mM caused pHi to decrease at a rate of 0.81 pH/min. Approximately 50% of this rate was Na+-dependent, 30% Cl(-)-dependent and 20% Na+ and Cl(-)-independent. Two basolateral Na+-dependent acid base transport pathways were detected: (a) an amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ antiporter and (b) a stilbene-sensitive Na+/base cotransporter. No evidence was found for a Na+-dependent Cl-/base exchanger. The Cl(-)-dependent component of basolateral base efflux was mediated by a stilbene-sensitive Na+-independent Cl-/base exchange pathway. The results suggest that the acid base transport pathways of the basolateral membrane of the S3 proximal tubule differ from more proximal nephron segments.     

Indomethacin secretion in the isolated perfused proximal straight rabbit tubule. Evidence for two parallel transport mechanisms.

We studied indomethacin as a probe of anion transport across the isolated perfused proximal straight tubule of the rabbit and discovered that a substantial component of transport may occur by anion exchange at the basolateral membrane. Various perturbations involving direct or indirect dissipation of the cellular sodium gradient (ouabain, sodium- or potassium-free solutions, cooling to 18 degrees C) resulted in only a 50% inhibition of indomethacin transport, which raised the question of a co-existent alternative pathway for secretion. Similarly, the anion exchange inhibitor, 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene (DIDS), diminished indomethacin secretion by only 50%. Cooling followed by DIDS or the reverse sequence resulted in additive inhibition such that the combination abolished active secretion of indomethacin. We conclude that active secretion of indomethacin by the proximal straight tubule appears to be in part sodium gradient dependent; the remainder may be driven by an anion exchanger on the basolateral membrane.     

Regulation of intracellular pH in the rabbit cortical collecting tubule.

The cortical collecting tubule (CCT) is an important nephron segment for Na+, K+, water and acid-base transport. Differential loading characteristics of the pH sensitive dye 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(and-6)carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) and basolateral Cl- removal were used to identify and study intracellular pH (pHi) regulation in each of three cell types involved in this transport. Both principal cells and beta-intercalated cells were found to have a basolateral Na+/H+ exchanger based on the Na+ and amiloride sensitivity of pHi recovery from acid loads. Intercalated cells demonstrated abrupt pHi changes with basolateral Cl- removal. alpha-intercalated cells alkalinized; beta-intercalated cells acidified. In the beta-intercalated cells, luminal Cl- removal blocked changes in pHi in response to changes in luminal HCO3- or peritubular Cl-, providing direct evidence for a luminal Cl-/HCO3- exchanger. In principal cells, brief removal of either peritubular or luminal Cl- resulted in no change in pHi; however, return of peritubular Cl- after prolonged removal resulted in a rapid fall in pHi consistent with a basolateral Cl-/HCO3- exchanger, which may be relatively inactive under baseline conditions. Therefore, Cl-/HCO3- exchange is present in all three cell types but varies in location and activity.     

Electrogenic sodium/bicarbonate cotransport in rabbit renal cortical basolateral membrane vesicles.

The present studies examined the mechanism of bicarbonate transport across basolateral membrane vesicles prepared from rabbit renal cortex. Isotopic sodium uptake was stimulated by bicarbonate when compared with gluconate (2.5 nmol/mg protein per 5 s versus 1.4 nmol/mg protein per 5 s), and this process was inhibited by disulfonic stilbenes. Imposition of an interior-positive potassium diffusion potential further stimulated isotopic sodium uptake to 3.4 nmol/mg protein per 5 s, an effect that occurred only in the presence of bicarbonate and was blocked by disulfonic stilbenes. Kinetic analysis of the rate of bicarbonate-dependent sodium uptake as a function of sodium concentration revealed saturable stimulation with a Vmax of 2.7 nmol/mg protein per 2 s and a Km of 10.4 mM. The effect of bicarbonate concentration on bicarbonate-dependent sodium uptake was more complex. The present results demonstrate an electrogenic (negatively charged) sodium/bicarbonate cotransporter in basolateral membrane vesicles from the rabbit renal cortex. The electrogenicity implies a stoichiometry of at least two bicarbonate ions for each sodium ion.     

Bicarbonate secretion and chloride absorption by rabbit cortical collecting ducts. Role of chloride/bicarbonate exchange.

Cortical collecting ducts (CCD) from rabbits treated with deoxycorticosterone (DOC) actively secrete bicarbonate at high rates. To investigate the mechanism of bicarbonate secretion, we measured bicarbonate and chloride transport in CCD from rabbits treated with DOC for 9-24 d. Removal of chloride (replaced with gluconate) from both perfusate and bath inhibited bicarbonate secretion without changing transepithelial voltage. Removal of chloride only from the bath increased bicarbonate secretion, while removal of chloride only from the perfusate inhibited secretion. In contrast to the effect of removing chloride, removal of sodium from both the perfusate and bath (replacement with N-methyl-D-glucamine) did not change the rate of bicarbonate secretion. The rate of bicarbonate secretion equaled the rate of chloride absorption in tubules bathed with 0.1 mM ouabain to inhibit any cation-dependent chloride transport. Under these conditions, chloride absorption occurred against an electrochemical gradient. Removal of bicarbonate from both the perfusate and bath inhibited chloride absorption. Removal of bicarbonate only from the bath inhibited chloride absorption, while removal of bicarbonate from the lumen stimulated chloride absorption. We conclude that CCD from DOC-treated rabbits actively secrete bicarbonate and actively absorb chloride by an electroneutral mechanism involving 1:1 chloride/bicarbonate exchange. The process is independent of sodium.     

Parallel adaptation of the rabbit renal cortical sodium/proton antiporter and sodium/bicarbonate cotransporter in metabolic acidosis and alkalosis.

Recent studies have shown that the bicarbonate reabsorptive capacity of the proximal tubule is increased in metabolic acidosis. For net bicarbonate reabsorption to be regulated, there may be changes in the rate of apical H+ secretion as well as in the basolateral base exit step. The present studies examined the rate of Na+/H+ exchange (acridine orange method) and Na+/HCO3 cotransport (22Na uptake) in apical and basolateral membranes prepared from the rabbit renal cortex by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. NH4Cl loading was used to produce acidosis (arterial pH, 7.27 +/- 0.03), and Cl-deficient diet with furosemide was used to produce alkalosis (arterial pH, 7.51 +/- 0.02). Maximal transport rate (Vmax) of Na+/H+ antiporter and Na+/HCO3 cotransporter were inversely related with plasma bicarbonate concentration from 6 to 39 mM. Furthermore, the maximal transport rates of both systems varied in parallel; when Vmax for the Na+/HCO3 cotransporter was plotted against Vmax for the Na+/H+ antiporter for each of the 24 groups of rabbits, the regression coefficient (r) was 0.648 (P less than 0.001). There was no effect of acidosis or alkalosis on affinity for Na+ of either transporter. We conclude that both apical and basolateral H+/HCO3 transporters adapt during acid-base disturbances, and that the maximal transport rates of both systems vary in parallel during such acid-base perturbations.     

Effect of acidosis on chloride transport in the cortical thick ascending limb of Henle perfused in vitro.

The present studies examined the effect of acute in vitro acidosis on chloride reabsorption in the rabbit cortical thick ascending limb of Henle (cTALH). Four protocols were used: hypercapnic acidosis; "isocapnic" peritubular acidosis (bath bicarbonate reduction to 10 mM); isocapnic luminal acidosis (luminal bicarbonate reduction to 10 mM); isocapnic peritubular acidosis in the absence of luminal potassium. Transepithelial voltage (VT) decreased during hypercapnic acidosis and increased with recovery. Chloride reabsorption (pmol X mm-1 X min-1) decreased from 50.3 +/- 8.4 to 15.7 +/- 5.6, then increased to 45.6 +/- 11.1 with recovery. Likewise, VT was decreased reversibly during isocapnic peritubular acidosis, and chloride reabsorption decreased by 60%. Chloride reabsorption was greater (28.3 +/- 3.6) when tubules were perfused at normal luminal pH than at an acidotic luminal pH (11.4 +/- 4.5; P less than 0.05). Luminal potassium removal reduced chloride transport, and acidosis had no significant additional effect. Decreased chloride reabsorption in the cTALH during acidosis could contribute to the chloruresis associated with systemic acidosis. The symmetrical nature of this effect suggests that acidosis inhibits chloride reabsorption through an effect on cytosolic pH.     

Sodium, phosphate, glucose, bicarbonate, and alanine interactions in the isolated proximal convoluted tubule of the rabbit kidney.

Interactions among the transport systems involved with sodium, bicarbonate, glucose, phosphate, and alanine absorption in isolated segments of the rabbit proximal convoluted tubule were examined with radioisotopic techniques to measure glucose, phosphate, and fluid absorption rates. The composition of the perfusate and bath varied from normal, physiological fluids to fluids deficient in a single solute. The deletion of glucose from the perfusate increased the lumen-to-bath flux of phosphate from 5.51 +/- 1.15 to 8.32 +/- 1.34 pmol/mm-min (P less than 0.01). Similar changes occurred when glucose transport was inhibited by phlorizin 10 micron in the perfusate, The deletion of alanine from the perfusate increased the lumen-to-bath flux of phosphate from 6.55 +/- 1.08 to 9.00 +/- 1.30 pmol/mm-min (P less than 0.01) but did not affect glucose transport significantly, 80.1 +/- 10.1 vs. 72.5 +/- 5.4 pmol/mm-min. Replacement of intraluminal sodium with choline, elimination of potassium from the bath, and removal of bicarbonate from the lumen and bath each reduced glucose, phosphate, and fluid absorption. These data indicate that the proximal absorptive processes for glucose and for phosphate include elements that are dependent upon some function of sodium transport. Additionally, the effects on phosphate transport of deleting glucose or alanine occur independent of any changes in net sodium transport and are opposite the effects of deleting bicarbonate. These differences may relate to the observations that the transport of glucose and alanine is electrogenic while that of bicarbonate is not. Regardless of possible mechanisms, the data demonstrate that important changes in the absorption rates of different solutes handled significantly by the proximal convoluted tubule may occur in response to changes in specific components of proximal sodium transport.     

Luminal chloride modulates rat distal tubule bidirectional bicarbonate flux in vivo.

The effects of replacing luminal chloride with gluconate on distal tubule bicarbonate transport were studied in vivo in normally fed rats, overnight-fasted rats, and rats made mildly alkalotic by administration of desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA). In paired microperfusions of the same tubule with 0 or 55 mM Cl at 25 nl/min, net secretion of bicarbonate by distal tubules of fed rats was inhibited by chloride replacement. Zero chloride perfusion in DOCA rats also resulted in an inhibition of net bicarbonate secretion at 25 nl/min. In contrast, replacement of 45 mM chloride also perfused at 25 nl/min in fasted rats caused an increase in net bicarbonate reabsorption. To further characterize the effects of changes in luminal chloride, experiments were undertaken in fasted rats with 0, 45, and 100 mM chloride-containing solutions perfused at 8 and 25 nl/min. Perfusion with zero Cl resulted in net bicarbonate reabsorption at 8 nl/min that increased markedly with high flow, whereas bicarbonate reabsorption did not change significantly during perfusion at high flow with a 45-mM Cl perfusate. In marked contrast, perfusion with a 100-mM Cl solution resulted in only minimal bicarbonate reabsorption at 8 nl/min with significant secretion observed at high flow. Thus, chloride-free perfusates inhibit bicarbonate secretion and enhance bicarbonate reabsorption, while high chloride perfusates elicit net bicarbonate secretion in usually reabsorbing distal tubules.     

Mechanisms of adaptation to chronic respiratory acidosis in the rabbit proximal tubule.

The hyperbicarbonatemia of chronic respiratory acidosis is maintained by enhanced bicarbonate reabsorption in the proximal tubule. To investigate the cellular mechanisms involved in this adaptation, cell and luminal pH were measured microfluorometrically using (2",7')-bis(carboxyethyl)-(5,6)-carboxyfluorescein in isolated, microperfused S2 proximal convoluted tubules from control and acidotic rabbits. Chronic respiratory acidosis was induced by exposure to 10% CO2 for 52-56 h. Tubules from acidotic rabbits had a significantly lower luminal pH after 1-mm perfused length (7.03 +/- 0.09 vs. 7.26 +/- 0.06 in controls, perfusion rate = 10 nl/min). Chronic respiratory acidosis increased the initial rate of cell acidification (dpHi/dt) in response to luminal sodium removal by 63% and in response to lowering luminal pH (7.4-6.8) by 69%. Chronic respiratory acidosis also increased dpHi/dt in response to peritubular sodium removal by 63% and in response to lowering peritubular pH by 73%. In conclusion, chronic respiratory acidosis induces a parallel increase in the rates of the luminal Na/H antiporter and the basolateral Na/(HCO3)3 cotransporter. Therefore, the enhanced proximal tubule reabsorption of bicarbonate in chronic respiratory acidosis may be, at least in part, mediated by a parallel adaptation of these transporters.     

Renal bicarbonate reabsorption in the rat. IV. Bicarbonate transport mechanisms in the early and late distal tubule.

Bicarbonate transport was studied in vivo by separate microperfusion experiments of early and late distal tubules. Total CO2 was measured by microcalorimetry and fluid absorption by 3H-inulin. Significant bicarbonate absorption was observed in all experimental conditions. Bicarbonate transport was load-dependent upon increasing the luminal bicarbonate concentration from 15 to 50 mM in both early and late distal tubule segments and remained constant at higher concentrations at a maximum rate of 100-110 pmol/min per mm. At low lumen bicarbonate concentrations (15 mM), higher rates of bicarbonate absorption were observed in early (32.9 +/- 4.57 pmol/min per mm) as compared to late distal tubules (10.7 +/- 3.1 pmol/min per mm). Amiloride and ethyl-isopropylamiloride both inhibited early but not late distal tubule bicarbonate absorption whereas acetazolamide blocked bicarbonate transport in both tubule segments. Fluid absorption was significantly reduced in both tubule segments by amiloride but only in early distal tubules by ethyl-isopropylamiloride. Substitution of lumen chloride by gluconate increased bicarbonate absorption in late but not in early distal tubules. Bafilomycin A1, an inhibitor of H-ATPase, inhibited late and also early distal tubule bicarbonate absorption, the latter at higher concentration. After 8 d on a low K diet, bicarbonate absorption increased significantly in both early and late distal tubules. Schering compound 28080, a potent H-K ATPase inhibitor, completely blocked this increment of bicarbonate absorption in late but not in early distal tubule. The data suggest bicarbonate absorption via Na(+)-H+ exchange and H-ATPase in early, but only by amiloride-insensitive H+ secretion (H-ATPase) in late distal tubules. The study also provides evidence for activation of K(+)-H+ exchange in late distal tubules of K depleted rats. Indirect evidence implies a component of chloride-dependent bicarbonate secretion in late distal tubules and suggests that net bicarbonate transport at this site results from bidirectional bicarbonate movement.     

Effect of formate on volume reabsorption in the rabbit proximal tubule.

Studies on microvillus membrane from rabbit kidney cortex suggest that chloride absorption may occur by chloride/formate exchange with recycling of formic acid by nonionic diffusion. We tested whether this transport mechanism participates in active NaCl reabsorption in the rabbit proximal tubule. In proximal tubule S2 segments perfused with low HCO-3 solutions, the addition of formate (0.25-0.5 mM) to the lumen and the bath increased volume reabsorption (JV) by 60%; the transepithelial potential difference remained unchanged. The effect of formate on JV was completely reversible and was inhibited both by ouabain and by luminal 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate. Formate (0.5 mM) failed to stimulate JV in early proximal convoluted tubules perfused with high HCO-3 solutions. As measured by miniature glass pH microelectrodes, this lack of formate effect on JV was related to a less extensive acidification of the tubule fluid when high HCO-3 solutions were used as perfusate. These data suggest that chloride/formate exchange with recycling of formic acid by nonionic diffusion represents a mechanism for active, electroneutral NaCl reabsorption in the proximal tubule.     

Mineralocorticoids and acidosis regulate H+/HCO3- transport of intercalated cells.

The effects of acidosis and mineralocorticoids on cellular H+/HCO3- transport mechanisms were examined in intercalated cells of the outer stripe of outer medullary collecting duct (OMCDo) from rabbit. Intracellular pH (pHi) of intercalated cells was monitored by fluorescence ratio imaging using 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). pHi recovered from an acid load at 2.8 +/- 0.5 x 10(-3) pHU/s in the absence of ambient Na+. This pHi recovery rate was similar in chronic acidosis induced by NH4Cl loading, but it was enhanced (+111%) by treatment with deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA). In a DOCA-treated group, luminal 10 microM SCH28080 and 0.1 mM omeprazole, H(+)-K(+)-ATPase inhibitors, did not change the pHi recovery rate, while luminal 0.5 mM N-ethylmaleimide blocked the rate by 68%. DOCA, but not acidosis, increased (approximately 40%) initial pHi response to bath HCO3- or Cl- reduction in Na(+)-free condition. After an acid load in the absence of Na+ and HCO3-, pHi response to basolateral Na+ addition was stimulated (+66%) by acidosis, but not by DOCA. Our results suggest that (a) mineralocorticoids stimulate H+/HCO3- transport mechanisms involved in transepithelial H+ secretion, i.e., a luminal NEM-sensitive H+ pump and basolateral Na(+)-independent Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange; and (b) acidosis enhances the activity of basolateral Na(+)-H+ exchange that may be responsible for pHi regulation.     

Evidence for neutral transcellular NaCl transport and neutral basolateral chloride exit in the rabbit proximal convoluted tubule.

The electrical nature of active NaCl transport and the significance of a basolateral membrane chloride conductance were examined in isolated perfused rabbit proximal convoluted tubules (PCT). PCT were perfused with a high chloride solution that simulated late proximal tubular fluid and were bathed in an albumin solution that simulated rabbit serum in the control and recovery periods. The electrical nature of NaCl transport was examined by bathing the tubules in a high chloride albumin solution where there were no anion gradients. Volume reabsorption (Jv) during the control and recovery period was 0.56 and 0.51 nl/mm X min, respectively, and 0.45 nl/mm X min when the tubules were bathed in a high chloride bath. The transepithelial potential difference (PD) during the control and recovery periods averaged 2.3 mV, but decreased to 0.0 mV in the absence of anion gradients, which indicated that NaCl transport is electroneutral. Further evidence that NaCl transport is electroneutral was obtained by examining the effect of addition of 0.01 mM ouabain in PCT perfused and bathed with high chloride solutions. The Jv was 0.54 nl/mm X min in the control period and not statistically different from zero after inhibition of active transport. The PD was not different from zero in both periods. Two groups of studies examined the role of basolateral membrane Cl- conductance in NaCl transport. First, depolarizing the basolateral membrane with 2 mM bath Ba++ did not significantly affect Jv or PD. Second, the effect of the presumptive Cl- conductance inhibitor anthracene-9-CO2H was examined. Anthracene-9-CO2H did not significantly affect Jv or PD. In conclusion, these data show that NaCl transport in the PCT is electroneutral and transcellular and provide evidence against a significant role for basolateral membrane chloride conductance in the rabbit PCT.     

Interrelationships of chloride, bicarbonate, sodium, and hydrogen transport in the human ileum

Using a triple-lumen constant perfusion system, the following observations were made in normal subjects. First, chloride, bicarbonate, and sodium were found to exhibit net movement across ileal mucosa against electrochemical gradients. Second, during perfusion with a balanced electrolyte solution simulating plasma, the ileum generally absorbed, but sometimes secreted fluid. A reciprocal net movement of chloride and bicarbonate was noted when sodium movement was zero. Increasing rates of sodium absorption were associated with decreasing bicarbonate secretion rates and finally bicarbonate absorption. Even when bicarbonate was absorbed ileal contents were alkalinized (by contraction of luminal volume). Third, net chloride movement was found to be sensitive to bicarbonate concentration in ileal fluid. For instance, chloride was absorbed from solutions containing 14 or 44 mEq/liter of bicarbonate, but was secreted when ileal fluid contained 87 mEq/liter of bicarbonate. Fourth, when chloridefree (sulfate) solutions were infused, the ileum absorbed sodium bicarbonate and the ileal contents were acidified. Fifth, when plasma-like solutions were infused, the potential difference (PD) between skin and ileal lumen was near zero and did not change when chloride was replaced by sulfate in the perfusion solution.These results suggest that ileal electrolyte transport occurs via a simultaneous double exchange, Cl/HCO2 and Na/H. In this model neither the anion nor the cation exchange causes net ion movement; net movement results from the chemical reaction between hydrogen and bicarbonate. No other unitary model explains all of the following observations: (a) human ileal transport in vivo is essentially nonelectrogenic even though Na, Cl, and HCO3 are transported against electrochemical gradients, (b) the ileum can secrete as well as absorb, (c) ileal contents are alkalinized during absorption of or during secretion into a plasma-like solution, and (d) the ileum acidifies its contents when sulfate replaces chloride. Data obtained with a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor support the proposed model.     

Evaluation of chloride/bicarbonate. Exchange in the human colon in vivo.

During perfusion of a plasma-like solution, colonic absorption rate of chloride was much higher than the secretion rate of bicarbonate (34 vs. 3.5 meq/h, respectively). This might suggest that anion exchange (Cl/HCO3) accounts for only a small fraction of total chloride absorption. However, if the colon absorbs as well as secretes bicarbonate, this reasoning would underestimate the magnitude of the anion exchange. To see if the colon absorbs bicarbonate, we perfused a chloride-free solution (which would eliminate bicarbonate secretion via (Cl/HCO3 exchange) and found that the colon absorbed bicarbonate at a rate of 5.1 meq/h. Calculation of electrochemical gradients and measurement of luminal fluid PCO2 indicated that this bicarbonate absorption was mediated passively in response to electrical gradients, rather than via reversed Cl/HCO3 exchange or acid secretion. The combined results of the plasma-like and chloride-free perfusion experiments suggest Cl/HCO3 exchange at a rate of 8.6 meq/h (the sum of bicarbonate movements, 3.5 and 5.1 meq/h, observed in the two experiments). To obtain a second estimate under different experimental conditions, a choline chloride-choline bicarbonate (sodium-free) solution was perfused; with this solution, chloride and bicarbonate absorption dependent on active sodium transport should be eliminated or markedly reduced, and the magnitude of Cl/HCO3 exchange should be revealed. This experiment suggested a Cl/HCO3 exchange rate of 9.3 meq/h, similar to the first estimate. As chloride was absorbed at a rate of 34 meq/h during perfusion of the plasma-like solution, the Cl/HCO3 exchange provides for approximately one-fourth of total chloride absorption.