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A M Weinstein

Publications and source records attributed to A M Weinstein.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Ammonia transport in a mathematical model of rat proximal tubule.

Pathways for ammonia transport have been incorporated within a model of rat proximal tubule [A. M. Weinstein. Am. J. Physiol. 263 (Renal Fluid Electrolyte Physiol. 32): F784-F798, 1992]. The luminal membrane includes a Na+/NH4+ exchanger, while at the peritubular membrane there is uptake of NH4+ on the Na(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase); both luminal and peritubular cell membranes contain conductive pathways for NH4+. The model equations have been expanded to include cellular ammoniagenesis. The principal focus of this study is the interplay of forces that can raise proximal tubule fluid total ammonia concentration 10-fold higher than in arterial plasma. Analysis of a cellular model reveals that luminal membrane Na+/NH4+ exchange, cellular production of ammonia, and peritubular membrane NH4+ uptake (via Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase or via K+ channel) all act in parallel to drive ammonia secretion. This derives from the cellular interconversion of NH4+ and NH3 and the free permeation of NH3 across cell membranes. It implies that inhibition of the luminal membrane transporter does not block the contribution of peritubular uptake to the overall active transport of ammonia. Conversely, when inhibition of the luminal membrane Na+/NH4+ entry (i.e., Na+/H+ inhibition) depresses transcellular Na+ flux, then the decrease of NH4+ flux through the peritubular Na+ pump enhances the apparent importance of the luminal membrane pathway. This analysis is confirmed in the numerical calculations and is a departure from the Ussing paradigm of series membrane Na+ transport. Although active secretion of ammonia by this tubule is substantial, the relative contribution of luminal Na+/NH4+ exchange and of peritubular uptake via the Na+ pump remains uncertain. The determination of peritubular capillary NH4+ concentration will be crucial to resolving this uncertainty, with lower concentration (i.e., closer to systemic arterial ammonia) obligating greater luminal membrane Na+/NH4+ exchange.

Ammonia↗
PubMed1992

Analysis of volume regulation in an epithelial cell model.

An epithelial cell is modeled as a single compartment, bounded by apical and basolateral cell membranes, and containing two nonelectrolyte solute species, nominally NaCl and KCl. Membrane transport of these species may be metabolically driven, or it may follow the transmembrane concentration gradients, either singly (a channel) or jointly (a cotransporter). To represent the effect of stretch-activated channels or shrinkage-activated cotransporters, the membrane permeabilities and cotransport coefficients are permitted to be functions of cell volume. When this epithelium is considered as a dynamical system, conditions are indicated which guarantee the uniqueness and stability of equilibria. Experimentally, many epithelial cells can regulate their volume, and such volume regulatory capability is defined for this model. It is clearly distinct from dynamical stability of the equilibrium and requires more stringent conditions on the volume-dependent permeabilities and cotransporters. For a previously developed model of the toad urinary bladder (Strieter et al., 1990, J. gen. Physiol. 96, 319-344) the uniqueness and stability of its equilibria are indicated. The analysis also demonstrates that under some conditions a second stable equilibrium may appear, along with a saddle-node bifurcation. This is illustrated numerically in a modified model of the epithelium of the thick ascending limb of Henle.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Chloride transport in a mathematical model of the rat proximal tubule.

The proximal tubule model of this laboratory [Am. J. Physiol. 250 (Renal Fluid Electrolyte Physiol. 19): F860-F873, 1986] has been updated to examine proposed pathways for Cl- transport. Two additional buffer pairs have been added, i.e., HCO2-/H2CO2 and NH3/NH4+. At the luminal cell membrane Cl-/HCO2- and Cl-/HCO3- exchange are considered as pathways for Cl- entry, whereas at the peritubular membrane, Cl- exit occurs by either Na(+)-2HCO3-/Cl- exchange or K(+)-Cl- cotransport. Calculations with this model indicate that absolute proximal reabsorption of both Na+ and Cl- are critically dependent on the rate of luminal Na+/H+ exchange. In contrast, increases in the coefficient for Cl-/HCO2- exchange have little impact on overall Cl- flux, but, by enhancing base secretion, limit the depression of end-proximal HCO3-. Model calculations confirm those of Preisig and Alpern (J. Clin. Invest. 83: 1859-1867, 1989) showing that their measured value of luminal membrane H2CO2 permeability is inadequate to sustain the transcellular Cl- flux as Cl-/HCO2- exchange. Conversely, with sufficiently high H2CO2 permeability, luminal Cl- uptake is enhanced along the tubule, as HCO2- secretion and luminal acidification increase luminal H2CO2 to values severalfold greater than in glomerular filtrate. At the basolateral membrane, the thermodynamic driving force across the Na(+)-2HCO3-/Cl- exchanger is small. Although its contribution to steady-state Cl- exit may be less than the K(+)-Cl- cotransporter, the Na(+)-2HCO3-/Cl- exchanger can be a mechanism by which cytosolic acidification enhances peritubular Cl- transport, when luminal acidification enhances luminal Cl- uptake. A simulation is presented in which impermeant replacement of luminal Na+ leads to enhanced convective Cl- flux across the tight junction and alkalinization of the lateral interspace. In this setting, cytosolic Cl- depletion via the Na(+)-2HCO3-/Cl- exchanger may mimic luminal membrane Na(+)-Cl- cotransport.

Absorption↗
PubMed1992

A mathematical model of the rabbit cortical collecting tubule.

The epithelium of the cortical collecting tubule of the rabbit is represented as four well-stirred compliant compartments corresponding to principal cell, alpha- and beta-intercalated cells, and lateral interspace. Model variables include the concentrations of Na, K, Cl, and HCO3, pH, cell volume, and electrical potential. The model equations specify mass conservation and chemical equilibrium for buffer reactions. Ionic conductance is represented by the Goldman constant-field equation. For the intercalated cells, phenomenological expressions describing the proton pumps are structured to agree with data of O. S. Andersen, J. E. N. Silveira, and P. R. Steinmetz (J. Gen. Physiol. 86: 215-234, 1985) in the turtle bladder. Coupled transport via Na/H and Cl/HCO3 exchangers is represented according to the formalism of linear nonequilibrium thermodynamics. To construct the tubule model, the flat epithelium is wrapped into a cylinder, creating a luminal compartment. Luminal variables include volume flow, hydrostatic pressure, electrical potential, and ionic concentrations. A specific aim of this investigation was to simulate the capability of the epithelium to maintain Na reabsorption in the presence of low luminal salt concentration. In this regard, critical features of the model include tight junctional conductance and the apical Na permeability of the principal cell. In particular, we examine a principal cell apical Na permeability inversely dependent on luminal and intracellular Na concentrations (M. M. Civan and R. J. Bookman. J. Membr. Biol. 65: 63-80, 1982). This concentration-dependent permeability together with a low junctional conductance produces three results congruent with experimental data: 1) dilution of luminal Na and maintenance of reabsorptive Na transport despite a steep transtubular gradient, 2) a relatively constant level of K secretion over a wide range of luminal Na concentrations, and 3) a relatively constant transepithelial potential over this range of luminal Na.

Absorption↗
PubMed1992

Regulation of K transport in a mathematical model of the cortical collecting tubule.

The effect of luminal flow rate and peritubular pH on Na and K transport is investigated in a mathematical model of the rabbit cortical collecting tubule. The model is used to simulate a 0.4-cm segment of tubule comprised of principal cell, alpha- and beta-intercalated cells, and lateral interspace. Calculations produce luminal profiles of Na, K, Cl, HCO3, and phosphate, as well as of electrical potential and pH. Parameter sets are developed that permit representation of both unstimulated and deoxycorticosterone acetate-stimulated tubules. A series of simulations is performed in which initial luminal flow rate is varied over the range of values between 0.1 and 30 nl/min. A marked flow-dependent enhancement of Na reabsorption and K secretion is seen, especially at lower flows, while Cl and HCO3 transport remain relatively constant. In experimental studies, it has been observed that metabolic alkalosis stimulates and metabolic acidosis inhibits K secretion, while leaving Na transport relatively unaffected [B. A. Stanton and G. Giebisch. Am. J. Physiol. 242 (Renal Fluid Electrolyte Physiol. 11): F544-F551, 1982; K. Tabei, S. Muto, Y. Ando, Y. Sakairi, and Y. Asano. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 1: 693, 1990; and K. Tabei, S. Muto, H. Furuya, and Y. Asano. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 2: 752, 1991]. Model calculations indicate that, when ion permeabilities are fixed and not dependent on pH, the impact of peritubular HCO3 on K secretion cannot be simulated. When junctional Cl permeability decreases with increasing interspace pH (E. M. Wright and J. M. Diamond. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 163: 57-74, 1968) in the model, there is a marked stimulation of K secretion with alkalosis and inhibition with acidosis. Furthermore, inclusion of a pH-dependent apical Na permeability [L. G. Palmer and G. Frindt. Am. J. Physiol. 253 (Renal Fluid Electrolyte Physiol. 22): F333-F339, 1987] that increases with increasing principal cell pH significantly reduces the change in Na+ reabsorption seen with the pH-dependent junctional Cl permeability alone. In these calculations, a pH-dependent apical K permeability [W. Wang, A. Schwab, and G. Giebisch. Am. J. Physiol. 259 (Renal Fluid Electrolyte Physiol. 28): F494-F502, 1990] that increases with increasing principal cell pH shows relatively little impact on K secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Coupled water transport by rat proximal tubule.

Simultaneous microperfusion of proximal tubules and peritubular capillaries in kidneys of rats anesthetized with Inactin was used to examine water reabsorption by this epithelium. Osmolality of the luminal solution was varied with changes in NaCl concentration and by the addition of raffinose. Capillary perfusates contained either low (2 g/dl) or high (16 g/dl) concentrations of albumin. We used low-bicarbonate perfusates for both lumen and capillary so that we might apply the nonequilibrium thermodynamic model of transport for a single solute (NaCl) to interpret our observations. Linear regression with the volume flux equation Jv = -Lp delta II - Lp sigma delta C + Jav (where Jv is volume flux, Lp is hydraulic conductance, delta II is oncotic force, sigma is osmotic reflection coefficient, delta C is salt concentration difference, and Jav is the component of Jv not attributed to transepithelial hydrostatic or osmotic forces) revealed a tubule water permeability (Pf = 0.11 +/- 0.01 cm/s) and a sigma (0.74 +/- 0.08) in agreement with previous determinations. These transport parameters were unaffected by changes in peritubular protein. We also found that Jav was substantial, approximately three-fourths of the rate of isotonic transport under these perfusion conditions. Further, this component of water transport nearly doubled with the transition from low- to high-protein peritubular capillary perfusion. When expressed as a capacity for water reabsorption against an osmotic gradient, the salt concentration differences required to null volume flux were 13.2 +/- 2.4 and 29.4 +/- 4.0 mosmol/kgH2O under low and high peritubular protein. Our data suggest that this protein effect is, most likely, an increase in solute transport by the tubule epithelial cells.

Absorption↗
PubMed1990

Volume-activated chloride permeability can mediate cell volume regulation in a mathematical model of a tight epithelium.

Cell volume regulation during anisotonic challenge is investigated in a mathematical model of a tight epithelium. The epithelium is represented as compliant cellular and paracellular compartments bounded by mucosal and serosal bathing media. Model variables include the concentrations of Na, K, and Cl, hydrostatic pressure, and electrical potential, and the mass conservation equations have been formulated for both steady-state and time-dependent problems. Ionic conductance is represented by the Goldman constant field equation (Civan, M.M., and R.J. Bookman. 1982. Journal of Membrane Biology. 65:63-80). A basolateral cotransporter of Na, K, and Cl with 1:1:2 stoichiometry (Geck, P., and E. Heinz. 1980. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 341:57-62.) and volume-activated basolateral ion permeabilities are incorporated in the model. MacRobbie and Ussing (1961. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica. 53:348-365.) reported that the cells of frog skin exhibit osmotic swelling followed by a volume regulatory decrease (VRD) when the serosal bath is diluted to half the initial osmolality. Similar regulation is achieved in the model epithelium when both a basolateral cotransporter and a volume-activated Cl permeation path are included. The observed transepithelial potential changes could only be simulated by allowing volume activation of the basolateral K permeation path. The fractional VRD, or shrinkage as percent of initial swelling, is examined as a function of the hypotonic challenge. The fractional VRD increases with increasing osmotic challenge, but eventually declines under the most severe circumstances. This analysis demonstrates that the VRD response depends on the presence of adequate intracellular chloride stores and the volume sensitivity of the chloride channel.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Glomerulotubular balance in a mathematical model of the proximal nephron.

A nonelectrolyte model of proximal tubule epithelium has been extended by the inclusion of a compliant tight junction. Here "compliance" signifies that both the junctional salt and water permeability increase and the salt reflection coefficient decreases in response to small pressure differences from lateral interspace to tubule lumen. In previous models of rat proximal tubule, there has been virtually no sensitivity of isotonic salt transport to changes in peritubular oncotic force. With the inclusion of junctional compliance, decreases in peritubular protein can open the junction and produce a secretory salt flux. Thus the model can represent the "backflux hypothesis," as it was originally put forth (J. E. Lewy and E. E. Windhager, Am. J. Physiol. 214: 943-954, 1968). Additional calculations, simulating a tight junction with negligible water permeability, reveal that the quantitative impact of peritubular protein can be realized whether or not there is substantial junctional water flux. The epithelial model of proximal tubule has also been incorporated into a model of the proximal nephron, complete with glomerulus, peritubular capillary, and interstitium. The interstitial compartment is well mixed and interstitial pressure and osmolality are determined iteratively to achieve balance between tubule reabsorption and capillary uptake. For this model, two domains of operation are identified. When interstitial pressures are low, junctions are closed, and filtration fraction has no effect on proximal reabsorption. When interstitial pressures are relatively elevated, epithelial junctions are open, and proximal salt reabsorption changes in proportion to changes in filtration fraction. In neither domain, however, does the model tubule augment salt flux with isolated increases in luminal flow rate (at constant filtration fraction). The absence of a separate effect of tubule fluid flow on salt transport precludes perfect glomerulotubular balance.

Absorption↗
PubMed1989

Osmotic water permeability of Necturus gallbladder epithelium.

An electrophysiological technique that is sensitive to small changes in cell water content and has good temporal resolution was used to determine the hydraulic permeability (Lp) of Necturus gallbladder epithelium. The epithelial cells were loaded with the impermeant cation tetramethylammonium (TMA+) by transient exposure to the pore-forming ionophore nystatin in the presence of bathing solution TMA+. Upon removal of the nystatin a small amount of TMA+ is trapped within the cell. Changes in cell water content result in changes in intracellular TMA+ activity which are measured with intracellular ion-sensitive microelectrodes. We describe a method that allows us to determine the time course for the increase or decrease in the concentration of osmotic solute at the membrane surface, which allows for continuous monitoring of the difference in osmolality across the apical membrane. We also describe a new method for the determination of transepithelial hydraulic permeability (Ltp). Apical and basolateral membrane Lp's were assessed from the initial rates of change in cell water volume in response to anisosmotic mucosal or serosal bathing solutions, respectively. The corresponding values for apical and basolateral membrane Lp's were 0.66 x 10(-3) and 0.38 x 10(-3) cm/s.osmol/kg, respectively. This method underestimates the true Lp values because the nominal osmotic differences (delta II) cannot be imposed instantaneously, and because it is not possible to measure the true initial rate of volume change. A model was developed that allows for the simultaneous determination of both apical and basal membrane Lp's from a unilateral exposure to an anisosmotic bathing solution (mucosal). The estimates of apical and basal Lp with this method were 1.16 x 10(-3) and 0.84 x 10(-3) cm/s.osmol/kg, respectively. The values of Lp for the apical and basal cell membranes are sufficiently large that only a small (less than 3 mosmol/kg) transepithelial difference in osmolality is required to drive the observed rate of spontaneous fluid absorption by the gallbladder. Furthermore, comparison of membrane and transepithelial Lp's suggests that a large fraction of the transepithelial water flow is across the cells rather than across the tight junctions.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Modeling the proximal tubule: complications of the paracellular pathway.

When the proximal tubule epithelium is represented as cellular and lateral intercellular (LIS) compartments, the presence of a paracellular pathway can render the overall phenomenologic equations quite an indirect representation of intraepithelial transport processes. 1) Active sodium transport into the LIS may create a hypertonic region that drives water movement from lumen to peritubular blood, i.e., a term for active water transport may appear in the overall transport equations. The correlate of this uphill water flux is a solute polarization effect, such that the measured epithelial water permeability is less than that of the cell membranes. 2) Basolateral uptake of potassium by the cell may lower the LIS concentration and promote diffusive entry of K across the tight junction. Even without cellular uptake of K from the lumen, the epithelial transport equations may contain a term for active K reabsorption. The solute polarization correlate is a low epithelial reflection coefficient that does not represent a convective flux of K through a specific channel. 3) When there is convective flux of Na and Cl through the tight junction but none through the cell, then a fluid circuit around junction and cell may be present, even when net epithelial volume flux is absent. In this case, part of the net epithelial Cl flux must be represented in the overall transport equations as electroneutral Na-Cl cotransport.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

A canine composite femoral stem. An in vivo study.

To evaluate a carbon fiber/polysulfone composite femoral stem, a press-fit unilateral hemiarthroplasty was performed in 17 greyhounds. The implant was designed to have strength and elastic properties commensurate with the proximal canine femur. The implant geometry was such that the naturally occurring internal cancellous structures of the proximal femur would be preserved and participate in load transfer from the implant to the bone. Animals were killed at one, five, ten, 16, and 24 months. At necropsy all the femoral stems were well fixed and functioning. All implants maintained their structural integrity. Radiographs and computed tomography scans showed a constructive bone remodeling response. Histologic analysis revealed a benign host tissue response, with few inflammatory cells observed. Both bone and fibrous tissue were observed at the implant-host tissue interface. Implants fabricated from carbon/polysulfone composites have the potential for use in load-bearing applications. An implant with appropriate elastic properties provides the opportunity for the natural bone remodeling response to enhance implant stability. Naturally occurring internal cancellous structures can be utilized for load transfer by femoral components. Press-fit devices with no physical or chemical bone-bonding mechanisms can attain long-term successful functional performance.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Convective paracellular solute flux. A source of ion-ion interaction in the epithelial transport equations.

An electrolyte model of an epithelium (a cell and a tight junction in parallel, both in series with a lateral interspace basement membrane) is analyzed using the formalism of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. It is shown that if the parallel structures are heteroporous (i.e., reflection coefficients for two ion species differ between the components), then a cross-term will appear in the overall transport equations of the epithelium. Formally, this cross-term represents an ion-ion interaction. With respect to the rat proximal tubule, data indicating epithelial ionic reflection coefficients less than unity, together with the assumption of no transcellular solvent drag, imply the presence of convective paracellular solute flux. This means that a model applicable to a heteroporous structure must be used to represent the tubule, and, in particular, the cross-terms for ion-ion interaction must also be evaluated in permeability determinations. A series of calculations is presented that permits the estimation of the Na-Cl interaction for rat proximal tubule from available experimental data. One consequence of tubule heteroporosity is that an electrical potential may be substantially less effective than an equivalent concentration gradient in driving reabsorptive ion fluxes.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

The regulation of cytosolic calcium in rat brain synaptosomes by sodium-dependent calcium efflux.

1. When pinched-off presynaptic nerve endings (synaptosomes) isolated from rat brain are incubated in a low-Na (24-36 mM) medium, they take up 45Ca in a time-dependent manner. In a medium containing 1 mM-Ca, this Na-dependent 45Ca uptake amounts to approximately 10 nmol/mg protein at 1 min, and to approximately 40 nmol/mg protein at 20 min. The Na-dependent Ca uptake is not reduced when the synaptosomes are loaded with concentrations of quin 2 as high as 2 mM. 2. The increase in 45Ca uptake is paralleled by an increase in the free cytosolic Ca concentration [Ca]i, as monitored with the fluorescent Ca indicators quin 2 or fura 2. [Ca]i increases from the value of approximately 200 to approximately 500 nM within 3-5 min, and thereafter, remains at this elevated level. 3. When synaptosomes that have been loaded with 45Ca (for 1 min, in a low-Na medium) are diluted into an Na-containing medium, there is a rapid efflux of the Ca load. After correcting for Ca that is taken up during the efflux period, calculations show that the total Ca in the synaptosomes returns to the control level within 1 min. Measurements of total chemical Ca parallel the measurements made with radiotracer Ca, and confirm that the Ca loaded into the nerve terminals during a 5 min incubation in a low-Na medium is extruded from the nerve terminals within 1 min in a normal-Na medium. 4. The efflux of Ca from the synaptosomes is paralleled by a drop of [Ca]i to its basal level, also within 1 min. 5. The mitochondrial uncoupler, carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethyloxy-phenyl-hydrazone (FCCP, 1 microM), has no effect on either Na-dependent Ca uptake or efflux in synaptosomes. FCCP causes a slight (100-200 nM) increase in [Ca]i in synaptosomes resuspended in either a Na or a low-Na medium. This indicates that little of the Ca that is taken up by the synaptosomes in a low-Na medium is sequestered by the mitochondria. 6. These results suggest that Na-dependent Ca efflux (probably Na-Ca exchange) plays an important role in allowing nerve terminals to recover rapidly from a Ca load.

Aminoquinolines↗
PubMed1986

A mathematical model of the rat proximal tubule.

The equations of mass conservation and electroneutrality are used to extend a nonequilibrium thermodynamic model of the rat proximal tubule epithelium to a representation of a 0.5-cm segment of tubule. The output of the tubule model includes the luminal profiles and absolute proximal reabsorption of Na, K, Cl, HCO3, HPO4, H2PO4, glucose, and urea, generated by the epithelial model. Transport rates and permeabilities, chosen in agreement with those of the rat, result in luminal glucose and bicarbonate depletion and a transition from an electronegative to positive lumen. Despite the development of significant transepithelial osmotic driving forces (a transepithelial glucose gradient and Cl-HCO3 asymmetry), intraepithelial solute-solvent coupling remains an important force for water reabsorption along the proximal tubule length. In particular, this means that when osmotic gradients that appear under free-flow conditions are used in the calculation of the epithelial water permeability, a substantial overestimate of this permeability will be obtained. A single first-order differential equation has been derived in conjunction with an approximate nonelectrolyte model of the proximal tubule that represents both coupled and gradient-driven water reabsorption. In the present work, this equation is shown to yield an accurate description of water transport by the comprehensive tubule model.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Osmotic diuresis in a mathematical model of the rat proximal tubule.

Solute reabsorption in the presence of an osmotic load has been examined in a model of the rat proximal convoluted tubule. The model is a computer simulation of a 0.5-cm segment of tubule comprised of compliant cellular and paracellular compartments, which tracks the luminal profiles of Na, K, Cl, HCO3, phosphate, glucose, and urea. In one series of calculations, the peritubular and initial luminal glucose concentrations are varied from 1.0 to 50 mmol/liter. The resulting proximal reabsorption of glucose increases monotonically to 1.5 nmol X s-1 X cm-2. Sodium reabsorption increases with glucose perfusion concentrations between 1.0 and 10 mmol/liter and then declines with greater glucose loads. Above 10 mmol/liter glucose, there is progressive decline in mean luminal Na concentration so that diffusive paracellular backflux, as well as decreased convective reabsorption, are responsible for the natriuresis. Diuresis per se blunts reabsorption of species requiring the development of lumen-to-bath concentration gradients (i.e., K, Cl, and urea). Diminished bicarbonate reabsorption is also predicted with large glucose loads due to intraepithelial alkalinization. This derives both from cellular depolarization and bicarbonate trapping (interspace closure). It is also observed that when interspace closure occurs, a region of intraepithelial K depletion may be formed, promoting diffusive reabsorption of potassium across the tight junction. Thus a 'middle compartment model' for potassium may provide a means of achieving tubule fluid-to-plasma K ratios less than 1.0, in the absence of specific cellular uptake mechanisms.

Animals↗