Transport of cimetidine across the basolateral membrane of rabbit kidney proximal tubules: characterization of transport mechanisms.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the cellular uptake of the organic base cimetidine by isolated nonperfused proximal tubules of the rabbit kidney. Cellular uptake was regarded as indicating transport across the basolateral cell membrane inasmuch as the isolated tubules had no visible lumen under nonperfusing conditions. Cimetidine was accumulated in a concentrative manner in all segments of the proximal tubule. The cellular accumulation was, however, significantly higher in S2 and S3 segments than in the S1 segment. An analysis of cimetidine uptake by the S2 segment at cimetidine bath concentrations ranging from 5.10(-7) M to 10(-3) M provided evidence for the operation of a saturable and an apparently nonsaturable accumulation process. The saturable mechanism was assumed to represent a carrier-mediated active transport process. The intracellular cimetidine concentration was higher than expected from the electrochemical gradient and could be decreased by cooling the bath temperature from 37.5 degrees C to 22 degrees C. Potassium cyanide (10(-2) M) decreased the cimetidine cell/bath concentration ratio from 79.2 +/- 12.2 to 40.8 +/- 8.1. At a cimetidine bath concentration of 2 x 10(-7) M the cellular uptake of cimetidine was decreased to 40.8 +/- 6% of the control value by increasing the K+ concentration of the incubation medium from 5 mM to 35 mM. At a cimetidine concentration of 10(-3) M the uptake was decreased to 44.7 +/- 3.4% by the same experimental maneuver.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Interaction of chloride and bicarbonate transport across the basolateral membrane of rabbit proximal straight tubule. Evidence for sodium coupled chloride/bicarbonate exchange.

The existence of chloride/bicarbonate exchange across the basolateral membrane and its physiologic significance were examined in rabbit proximal tubules. S2 segments of the proximal straight tubule were perfused in vitro and changes in intracellular pH (pHi) and chloride activity (aCli) were monitored by double-barreled microelectrodes. Total peritubular chloride replacement with gluconate increased pHi by 0.8, and this change was inhibited by a pretreatment with an anion transport inhibitor, SITS. Peritubular bicarbonate reduction increased aCli, and most of this increase was lost when ambient sodium was totally removed. The reduction rates of pHi induced by a peritubular bicarbonate reduction or sodium removal were attenuated by 20% by withdrawal of ambient chloride. SITS application to the bath in the control condition quickly increased pHi, but did not change aCli. However, the aCli slightly decreased in response to SITS when the basolateral bicarbonate efflux was increased by reducing peritubular bicarbonate concentration. It is concluded that sodium coupled chloride/bicarbonate exchange is present in parallel with sodium-bicarbonate cotransport in the basolateral membrane of the rabbit proximal tubule, and it contributes to the basolateral bicarbonate and chloride transport.     

Early enhancement of fluid transport in rabbit proximal straight tubules after loss of contralateral renal excretory function.

To assess the renal functional adaptation to reduced excretory capacity, we studied whole kidney and single nephron function in anesthetized volume-replete rabbits after unilateral (left kidney) nephrectomy (UNX), ureteral obstruction (UO), or ureteroperitoneostomy (UP). At 24 h, despite the absence of measurable hypertrophy of the contralateral (right) kidney, these procedures significantly increased p-aminohippurate clearance (45-54%) and inulin clearance (CIN) (64-110%) compared with sham-operated control animals. In each group, whole kidney sodium reabsorption increased in proportion to the rise in CIN. To determine whether the intrinsic transport capacity of proximal tubule segments is altered by these maneuvers, we measured fluid volume reabsorption rate (Jv) in isolated superficial proximal straight tubule (PST) segments perfused in vitro, comparing each control tubule (obtained by biopsy of the left kidney immediately before an experimental maneuver) with a corresponding tubule segment obtained 24 h or 7 d later from the contralateral kidney. Control tubule Jv in sham-24 h animals averaged 0.48 +/- 0.04 nl/(min X mm). Jv did not change significantly at 24 h or 7 d after sham maneuvers but increased significantly at 24 h after UNX [delta Jv = 0.13 +/- 0.03 nl/(min X mm)], UO [delta Jv = 0.10 +/- 0.04 nl/(min X mm)], and UP [delta Jv = 0.13 +/- 0.04 nl/(min X mm)]. Jv remained increased by similar amounts at 7 d after UNX and UO. To evaluate whether an increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) might be the stimulus to this augmentation in Jv values, methylprednisolone (MP) (15 mg/kg per d) was administered daily to sham-operated animals, a maneuver which induced a 73% rise in CIN by day 5. This procedure also produced a significant increase in Jv in PST at 5 d [delta Jv = 0.16 +/- 0.05 nl/(min X mm)]. The increase in Jv evident in each group at 5 or 7 d was paralleled by an equivalent change in tubule cell volume and apparent tubule luminal surface area in UNX-7d and MP-5d; no such increments in these indices, or in apparent tubule serosal surface area were evident at 24 h in any group. Thus, a 50% reduction in renal excretory function in the rabbit provokes adjustments in renal plasma flow rate and GFR in the contralateral kidney, which are evident by 24 h. The concurrent change in Jv in PST is closely related to CIN or some associated hemodynamic process, but does not appear to require an increase in tubule cell volume or apparent surface area. The ability to detect these small in vivo changes in Jv may derive from the enhanced sensitivity of paired-kidney experiments using tubule segments obtained by renal biopsy.     

Evidence for conductive Cl- pathway in the basolateral membrane of rabbit renal proximal tubule S3 segment.

The mechanism of Cl- exit was examined in the basolateral membrane of rabbit renal proximal tubule S3 segment with double-barreled, ion-selective microelectrodes. After the basolateral Cl-/HCO3- exchanger was blocked by 2'-disulfonic acid, a bath K+ step from 5 to 20 mM induced 26.6 mV depolarization and 7.7 mM increase in intracellular Cl- activities ([Cl(-)]i). K+ channel blockers, Ba2+, and quinine strongly suppressed both the response in cell membrane potentials (Vb) and in (Cl-)i to the bath K+ step, while Cl- channel blockers, A9C (1 mM) and IAA-94 (0.3 mM) inhibited only the latter response by 49 and 74%, respectively. By contrast, an inhibitor of K(+)-Cl- cotransporter, H74, had no effect on the increase in (Cl-)i to the bath K+ step. Furosemide and the removal of bath Na+ were also ineffective, suggesting that (Cl-)i are sensitive to the cell potential changes. Bath Cl- removal in the presence of quinine induced a depolarization of more than 10 mV and a decrease in (Cl-)i, and IAA-94 inhibited these responses similarly in the bath K+ step experiments. These results indicate that a significant Cl- conductance exists in the basolateral membrane of this segment and functions as a Cl- exit mechanism.     

Mechanism of apical and basolateral Na(+)-independent Cl-/base exchange in the rabbit superficial proximal straight tubule.

The present study was undertaken to determine the magnitude and mechanism of base transport via the apical and basolateral Na(+)-independent Cl-/base exchangers in rabbit isolated perfused superficial S2 proximal tubules. The results demonstrate that there is an apical Na(+)-independent Cl-/base exchanger on both membranes. HCO3- fails to stimulate apical Cl-/base exchange in contrast to the basolateral exchanger. Inhibition of endogenous HCO3- production does not alter the rate of apical Cl-/base exchange in Hepes-buffered solutions. Both exchangers are inhibited by H2DIDS and furosemide; however, the basolateral anion exchanger is more sensitive to these inhibitors. The results indicate that the apical and basolateral Cl-/base exchangers differ in their transport properties and are able to transport base equivalents in the absence of formate. The formate concentration in rabbit arterial serum is approximately 6 microM and in vitro tubule formate production is < 0.6 pmol/min per mm. Formate in the micromolar range stimulates Jv in a dose-dependent manner in the absence of a transepithelial Na+ and Cl- gradient and without a measurable effect on Cl(-)-induced equivalent base flux. Apical formic acid recycling cannot be an important component of any cell model, which accounts for formic acid stimulation of transcellular NaCl transport in the rabbit superficial S2 proximal tubule. We propose that transcellular NaCl transport in this nephron segment is mediated by an apical Na+/H+ exchanger in parallel with a Cl-/OH- exchanger and that the secreted H+ and OH- ions form H2O in the tubule lumen.     

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.     

Intracellular respiratory dysfunction and cell injury in short-term anoxia of rabbit renal proximal tubules.

The effects of short-term anoxia and hypoxia were studied in a rabbit proximal renal tubule suspension in order to avoid the hemodynamic consequences of clamp-induced ischemia. The suspension was subjected to anoxia for 10-40 min and the effects on a number of cellular transport and respiratory parameters were monitored. Cellular respiration was measured upon addition of nystatin (Nys) to maximally stimulate Na pump activity. Mitochondrial respiration was measured in the tubules by addition of digitonin and ADP to obtain the state 3 respiratory rate. The release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was measured as an index of plasma membrane damage. The cellular contents of K and Ca were also measured. Results show that 10 and 20 min of anoxia partially inhibited Nys-stimulated and mitochondrial respiration, and partially decreased the K contents, but all these effects were largely reversible after 20 min of reoxygenation. After 40 min of anoxia and 20 min of reoxygenation, all these variables remained irreversibly inhibited: Nys-stimulated respiration by 54%, mitochondrial respiration by 50%, K content by 42%, and LDH release was 40% of total. Ca content decreased slightly during anoxia, but increased up to fourfold during severe hypoxia; the excess Ca was released during the first 10 min of reoxygenation. The degree of respiratory impairment was identical during anoxia or hypoxia, suggesting that Ca accumulation was not associated with the impairment. Decreasing the extracellular Ca to 2.5 microM decreased LDH release significantly during anoxia, suggesting that plasma membrane damage during anoxia may be associated with increased intracellular free Ca. Addition of Mg-adenosine triphosphate during anoxia dramatically improved recovery of all the measured parameters after the anoxic period.     

Adrenergic agonists and the Na+-K+-adenosine triphosphatase from rabbit proximal tubules and their basolateral membranes

Several studies suggested that catecholamines modulate renal sodium and water excretion by direct stimulation of adrenergic receptors located on the renal proximal tubule. However, neither the mechanism nor the class of adrenoceptor involved in this effect have yet been established definitively. In the present study, we examined the effects of L-norepinephrine (NE) and selective alpha-1, alpha-2 and beta adrenergic agonists on monovalent cation transport and on Na+-K+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity from homogenates, intact tubules and highly purified basolateral membranes prepared from superficial rabbit kidney cortex. Our results showed that neither NE nor specific alpha-1, alpha-2 and beta adrenergic agonists (10 microM) modified ouabain-sensitive uptake of 86Rb+ (a K+ analog) in intact proximal tubules. Similarly, it is demonstrated that NE and alpha and beta adrenergic agonists did not affect Na+-K+-ATPase activity from homogenates, intact tubules and basolateral membranes. The integrity of the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor system, the predominant adrenergic subtype in rabbit proximal tubule, was supported by the following findings: 1) maximal binding of [3H] rauwolscine was about 4-fold higher in basolateral membranes than in homogenates; 2) 5'-guanylimidodiphosphate induced a 27-fold increase in the Ki of NE for alpha-2 receptor in basolateral membranes; 3) NE (5 microM) inhibited by 35% parathyroid hormone-stimulated cyclic AMP production in intact tubules. In conclusion, these data fail to demonstrate that NE, as well as other adrenergic agonists, directly increases Na+-K+-ATPase in the rabbit proximal tubule. Further investigations are needed to clarify the interaction of catecholamines with the renal Na+K+ pump.     

Mechanism of pH amelioration of 2-bromohydroquinone-induced toxicity to rabbit renal proximal tubules

The basis of extracellular acidosis amelioration of 2-bromohydroquinone (BHQ)-induced renal proximal tubular cell death was determined by comparing the metabolism, uptake and mitochondrial effects of BHQ (0.2 mM) and bromoquinone (BQ) (0.05 mM) on isolated rabbit renal proximal tubules incubated in pH 7.4 and pH 6.4 buffers. Exposure of proximal tubules in pH 7.4 buffer to [14C]BHQ resulted in a time-dependent increase in covalently bound BHQ-equivalents to tubular protein (9 +/- 1 nmol/mg of protein at 1 hr) and a decrease in nystatin-stimulated oxygen consumption (NYS-QO2). In comparison, covalently bound BHQ-equivalents were 0.7 nmol/mg of protein and NYS-QO2 was unaffected in proximal tubules incubated at pH 6.4 for 1 hr. After a 1-hr exposure, tubular content of [14C]BHQ-equivalents was 15 +/- 2 and 9 +/- 1 nmol/mg of protein in tubules incubated at pH 7.4 and 6.4, respectively. Thus, decreased covalent binding of BHQ-equivalents in proximal tubules incubated at pH 6.4 could not be accounted for by limited uptake of BHQ. The lactate dehydrogenase release induced by 0.05 mM BQ was decreased by acidic pH. Similarly, BQ induced an 85% decrease in NYS-QO2 of proximal tubules in pH 7.4 buffer, compared to a 55% inhibition when proximal tubules were incubated at pH 6.4 for 4 hr. Thus, extracellular acidosis ameliorates BHQ toxicity by altering BHQ biotransformation; that is, extracellular acidosis inhibits the oxidation of BHQ to BQ and may promote the reduction of BQ to BHQ.     

In vivo genetic selection of renal proximal tubules.

Repopulation by transplanted cells can result in effective therapy for several regenerative organs including blood, liver, and skin. In contrast, cell therapies for renal diseases are not currently available. Here we developed an animal model in which cells genetically resistant to a toxic intermediate of tyrosine metabolism, homogentisic acid (HGA), were able to repopulate the damaged proximal tubule epithelium of mice with fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (Fah) deficiency. HGA resistance was achieved by two independent mechanisms. First, Fah+ transplanted bone marrow cells produced significant replacement of damaged proximal tubular epithelium (up to 50%). The majority of bone marrow-derived epithelial cells were generated by cell fusion, not transdifferentiation. In addition to regeneration by fusion-derived epithelial cells, proximal tubular repopulation was also observed by host epithelial cells, which had lost the homogentisic acid dioxygenase gene. These data demonstrate that extensive regeneration of the renal proximal tubule compartment can be achieved through genetic selection of functional cells.     

Chlorotrifluoroethylcysteine interaction with rabbit proximal tubule cell basolateral membrane organic anion transport and apical membrane amino acid transport.

The interaction of the cysteine conjugate S-(1-chloro-1,2,2, -trifluoroethyl)-L-cysteine (CTFC) with organic anion and amino acid transport in the basolateral and apical membranes was examined with rabbit renal proximal tubule suspensions and primary cultures of rabbit renal proximal tubule cells. The apparent K(i) for CTFC inhibition of the 1-min uptake of [(3)H]p-aminohippurate in tubule suspensions was 105+/-3 microM and suggests that CTFC interacts with basolateral organic anion transport. Also, the addition of 1 mM CTFC decreased the secretion and intracellular accumulation of fluorescein by approximately 70 to 75%. The addition of 1 mM CTFC to the apical compartment decreased the reabsorption and intracellular accumulation of the amino acid [(3)H]phenylalanine by approximately 60 to 70%. Similar to CTFC, saturating concentrations of the organic anion [(3)H]p-aminohippurate and the amino acid phenylalanine reduced by approximately 75% fluorescein secretion and [(3)H]phenylalanine reabsorption, respectively, by approximately 60 to 70%. Thus, the cysteine conjugate CTFC appears to be a potent inhibitor of basolateral organic anion and apical amino acid transepithelial transport. In contrast to its effects on apical phenylalanine uptake, CTFC had no effect on the basal uptake of [(3)H]phenylalanine by primary cultures. The presence of CTFC in the external bath did trans-stimulate the efflux of fluorescein and [(3)H]phenylalanine across the basal and apical membrane in tubule suspensions or primary cultures, respectively, grown on plastic. Collectively, these data demonstrate that CTFC interacts with, and is transported by, two anatomically and functionally distinct transporters, the basolateral organic anion and apical neutral amino acid pathways, in the rabbit renal proximal tubule cell.     

Stoichiometry of Na+-HCO-3 cotransport in basolateral membrane vesicles isolated from rabbit renal cortex.

The major pathway for HCO3- transport across the basolateral membrane of the proximal tubule cell is electrogenic Na+-HCO3- cotransport. In this study, we have determined the stoichiometry of the Na+-HCO3- cotransport system in basolateral membrane vesicles that were isolated from rabbit renal cortex by Percoll gradient centrifugation. When the membrane potential is approximated by the Nernst potential for K+, as in the presence of the K+ ionophore valinomycin, equilibrium thermodynamics predicts that the Na+-HCO3- cotransport system should come to equilibrium and mediate no net flux when (Na)i/(Na)o = [(HCO3)o/(HCO3)i]n[(K)o/(K)i]n-1, where n is the HCO3-:Na+ stoichiometry. Our experimental approach was to impose transmembrane Na+, HCO3-, and K+ gradients of varying magnitude and direction, and then to measure the net flux of Na+ over the subsequent 3-s period. In this way, we could determine the conditions for equilibrium of the transport system and thereby calculate n. The results of these experiments indicate that the value of n is greater than 2.6 and less than 3.5, consistent with a stoichiometry of 3 HCO3-:1 Na+, or a thermodynamically equivalent process. Based on reported intracellular potentials and ion activities, this value for the stoichiometry indicates that the inside-negative membrane potential is sufficient to drive HCO3- exit against the inward concentration gradients of HCO3- and Na+ that are present across the basolateral membrane of the intact proximal tubule cell under physiologic conditions.     

Albumin absorption and catabolism by isolated perfused proximal convoluted tubules of the rabbit.

Overall characteristics and kinetics of tubular absorption of albumin (Alb) were studied in isolated perfused proximal convoluted tubules of the rabbit. The fate of absorbed Alb was determined in tubules perfused with low [Alb]. Alb was labeled with tritium by reductive methylation ( [3H3C]Alb). At [Alb] = 0.03 mg/ml, approximately 80% of the absorbed [3H3C]Alb was released to the peritubular bathing solution as catabolic products. Transcellular transport of intact [3H3C]Alb was negligible. Iodoacetate (IAA, 4 mM) inhibited albumin absorption (JAlb) by greater than 95% and fluid reabsorption (JV) by 55%. At [Alb] = 0.1 mg/ml the absorption rate of a derivatized cationic Alb (pI = 8.4) was fivefold greater (P less than 0.01) than that of anionic Alb. Higher cationic [Alb] had deleterious effects on tubular functions. Overall Alb absorption was of high capacity and low affinity (JmaxAlb = 3.7 ng/min per mm tubule length, apparent Michaelis constant (Km) = 1.2 mg/ml). A low capacity system that saturates at near physiological loads was also detected (JmaxAlb = 0.064 ng/min per mm, apparent Km = 0.031 mg/ml). High [Alb] did not alter the rate of endocytic vesicle formation as determined by the tubular uptake of [14C]inulin. Results show that Alb absorption is a saturable process that is inhibited by high IAA concentrations and is affected by the charge of the protein. Absorbed Alb is hydrolyzed by tubular cells and catabolic products are readily released to the peritubular side. The dual kinetics of Alb absorption may be due to a combination of adsorptive endocytosis (low capacity system) and fluid endocytosis of albumin aggregates (high capacity system). Results indicate that albuminuria occurs much before albumin absorption is saturated. The kinetic characteristics of the process of tubular absorption of albumin helps to explain the concomitance of albuminuria, increased renal catabolic rates of albumin, and renal cell deposition of protein absorption droplets in severe glomerular proteinurias.     

Mechanism of vancomycin transport in the kidney: studies in rabbit renal brush border and basolateral membrane vesicles.

The effect of vancomycin, a putatively nephrotoxic amine glycopeptide antibiotic, on the transport of organic cations was examined in rabbit renal basolateral and brush border membrane vesicles. The studies were conducted using a rapid filtration technique and the prototypic organic cation tetraethylammonium. In basolateral membrane vesicles, vancomycin cis-inhibited the electrogenic transport of tetraethylammonium with an IC50 value of 260 microM. In contrast, gentamicin, an aminoglycoside, was without effect. Inhibition by mepiperphenidol, a classical organic cation transport inhibitor, was observed with an IC50 value of 24 microM. Countertransport, that is, trans-stimulation experiments, were initiated in order to determine whether or not vancomycin was capable of traversing the plasma membrane. Vancomycin caused trans-stimulation of tetraethylammonium uptake. The specificity of inhibition was assessed by determining the effect of vancomycin on the transport of p-aminohippurate, an organic anion. Vancomycin did not inhibit transport, whereas probenecid, a classical organic anion inhibitor, did. In the brush border membrane, vancomycin had no effect on the transport of tetraethylammonium. These data are consistent with mediated transport for vancomycin across the basolateral membrane, but not across the brush border membrane. This implies that the nephrotoxicity of vancomycin may be due to entry through the basolateral membrane and the absence of mediated egress at the brush border membrane.     

Characteristics of salt and water transport in superficial and juxtamedullary straight segments of proximal tubules.

The purpose of the present studies was to characterize the nature of salt and water transport out of the superficial (SF) and juxtamedullary (JM) straight segments of rabbit proximal tubules as examined by in vitro microperfusion techniques. When the perfusate consisted of a solution simulating ultrafiltrate of plasma, there were no differences between SF and JM straight tubules in either net reabsorption of fluid (SF=0.47 nl/mm per min; JM=0.56 nl/mm per min) or in transtubular potential difference (PD) (SF=-2.1 mV; JM=-1.8 mV). Removal of glucose and alanine from the perfusate had no effect on the magnitude of the PD in either straight segment. Ouabain decreased both the net reabsorptive rates and the PD. Isosmolal replacement of NaCL by Na-cyclamate (a presumed impermeant anion) in the perfusate and the bath caused an increase in luminal negativity in both segments wheras similar substitution of NaCL by choline-CL (nontransported cation) changed the PD TO NEAR ZERO. These studies, therefore, suggest that sodium is transported out of the proximal straight tubules by an active noncoupled process that generates a PD (electrogenic process). When the perfusate consisted of a solution with a high chloride concentration (resulting from greater HCO3 than CI reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubule), different PDs in SF and JM tubules were generated: SF=+1.6 plus or minus 0.2 mV; JM=-1.3 plus or minus 0.3 mV. This difference in PD was attributed to relative differences in Na and CI permeabilities in these two segments. Electrophysiological and isotopic estimates of the chloride to sodium permeability revealed that the SF tubule is about twice as permeant to chloride than to sodium whereas the JM tubules are approximately twice as permeant to sodium than to chloride. It is concluded that the mechanism of active sodium transport in the straight segment of proximal tubule differs from that of the convoluted segment and that both the SF and JM straight segments differ from each other with respect os sodium and chloride permeability.     

Intracellular glutathione in the protection from anoxic injury in renal proximal tubules.

Previous results (Weinberg, J. M., J. A. David, M. Abarzua, and T. Rajan. 1987. J. Clin. Invest. 80:1446-1454) have shown that GSH and glycine (GLY) are cytoprotective during anoxia when added extracellularly. The present studies investigate the role that intracellular GSH plays in this cytoprotection. Proximal renal tubules in suspension prepared with either high (11 +/- 1 nmol/mg protein) or low (6 +/- 1 nmol/mg protein) GSH contents were subjected to 40 min of anoxia and 40 min of reoxygenation. Low GSH tubules were protected from plasma membrane damage during anoxia by exogenous addition of 1 mM GSH or GLY, reducing lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from 42 +/- 7 to 14 +/- 1 and 10 +/- 1%, respectively. High GSH tubules were equally protected from anoxic damage without exogenous additions. Since the high GSH content approximates the in vivo values, it may be concluded that GSH may be cytoprotective during anoxia in vivo. However, it is not the intracellular GSH itself that is cytoprotective; rather, this protection resides in the ability to produce GLY, which appears to be the cytoprotective agent. Alanine was also shown to have similar cytoprotective properties, although higher concentrations were required. Sulfhydryl reducing agents such as cysteine and dithiothreitol offered less, but significant protection from anoxic damage. Protection by GSH, GLY, or alanine was not associated with higher ATP levels during anoxia. Tubules that were protected from membrane damage during anoxia recovered oxygen consumption and K and ATP contents significantly better during reoxygenation than unprotected tubules.     

Effects of acetazolamide on Na+-HCO-3 cotransport in basolateral membrane vesicles isolated from rabbit renal cortex.

We evaluated the effects of acetazolamide on Na+-HCO3- cotransport in basolateral membrane vesicles isolated from the rabbit renal cortex. Na+ uptake stimulated by an imposed inward HCO3- gradient was not significantly reduced by 1.2 mM acetazolamide, indicating that acetazolamide does not directly inhibit Na+-HCO3- cotransport. 4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (DIDS)-sensitive Na+-base cotransport was found to be absolutely CO2/HCO3--dependent. We therefore tested whether acetazolamide-sensitive availability of HCO3- at the basolateral membrane could be rate-limiting for Na+-base cotransport under some conditions. In the presence of a CO2/HCO3- buffer system but absence of an initial HCO3- gradient, Na+ influx was stimulated fivefold by an outward NH4+ gradient. This stimulation of Na+ influx by an outward NH4+ gradient was inhibited greater than 75% by 0.6 mM acetazolamide, suggesting that acetazolamide blocked the ability of the NH4+ gradient to generate an inward HCO3- gradient. In the presence of an inward HCO3- gradient, Na+ influx was inhibited greater than 70% by an inward NH4+ gradient. This inhibition of Na+ influx was reduced to only 35% by 0.6 mM acetazolamide, suggesting that acetazolamide blocked the ability of NH4+ to collapse the inward HCO3- gradient. Similarly, Na+ influx in the presence of an inward HCO3- gradient was inhibited greater than 80% by an outward acetate gradient, and this inhibition was reduced to only 50% by acetazolamide. Thus, acetazolamide caused either inhibition or stimulation of Na+ uptake depending on the conditions with respect to pH and HCO3- gradients. The indirect interaction of acetazolamide with the basolateral membrane Na+-HCO3- cotransport system may be an important mechanism underlying inhibition of proximal tubule acid secretion by this agent.     

Angiotensin II directly stimulates sodium transport in rabbit proximal convoluted tubules

Numerous previous studies have proposed a role for angiotensin II (AII) in the renal regulation of salt balance. At least one nephron site, the proximal convoluted segment, has been implicated in this role. We used in vitro microperfusion of rabbit proximal convoluted tubules to further examine this question. To insure use of appropriate in vivo concentrations as well as potency of the hormone in vitro, we measured plasma AII levels by radioimmunoassay in normal, sodium-depleted, and adrenalectomized rabbits, and measured AII activity by bioassay after incubation in various microperfusion baths. Plasma levels ranged from approximately 2 X 10(-11) to 5 X 10(-11) M. AII activity was stable in Ringer's solution plus albumin, but not in rabbit serum or Ringer's solution plus fetal calf serum. In Ringer's solution plus albumin, physiologic concentrations of AII stimulated volume reabsorption (Jv). 10(-11) M AII increased Jv by 16% (P less than 0.01). 10(-10) M AII produced a lesser increase, 7.5% (P less than 0.05). At a frequently studied, but probably pharmacologic dose, 10(-7) M AII inhibited Jv by 24% (P less than 0.001). AII at 10(-11) M did not stimulate Jv in the presence of 10(-7) M saralasin. Though previous studies have suggested agonistic effects of saralasin alone in epithelia, we found no significant effect of 10(-7) M saralasin on Jv. None of the AII doses measurably changed transepithelial voltage. We conclude that AII in physiologic doses directly stimulates Jv in proximal convoluted tubules and this effect is probably receptor mediated and, within the limits of detection, electroneutral.     

Effects of inhibitors and substitutes for chloride in lumen on p-aminohippurate transport by isolated perfused rabbit renal proximal tubules

The transport step for p-aminohippurate (PAH) from cell to lumen across the luminal membrane of rabbit proximal tubules has not been adequately defined. To examine this process more closely, we determined the effects of possible transport inhibitors and substitutes for chloride on PAH secretion in isolated perfused S2 segments of rabbit proximal tubules. The addition of 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyano-2,2' disulfonic stilbene (10(-4) M) to the perfusate irreversibly inhibited PAH secretion, whereas the addition of probenecid (10(-4) M) to the perfusate reversibly inhibited PAH secretion. PAH secretion was unaffected by thiocyanate replacement of chloride in the luminal perfusate, reversibly inhibited by 15 to 20% by methyl sulfate replacement, and irreversibly inhibited by isethionate replacement. Because the luminal membrane is at least as permeable to thiocyanate as to chloride, less permeable to methyl sulfate, and much less permeable to isethionate, these data suggest that the PAH transport step from cells to lumen does not require chloride in the lumen but does require a highly permeant anion. During inhibition of PAH transport from cells to lumen, PAH uptake across the basolateral membrane was also reduced, suggesting some type of feedback inhibition. The data are compatible with PAH transport across the luminal membrane by an anion exchanger, a potential-driven uniporter, both carriers, or a carrier that can function in both modes.