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M B Burg

Publications and source records attributed to M B Burg.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Osmoregulatory fluxes of myo-inositol and betaine in renal cells.

Renal medullary cells contain high concentrations of "compatible" organic osmolytes, such as myo-inositol, betaine, sorbitol, and glycero-phosphorylcholine. These organic osmolytes accumulate as an osmoregulatory response to the high and variable interstitial NaCl concentration that is part of the urinary concentrating mechanism. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells in culture were previously shown to accumulate myo-inositol and betaine in response to increased NaCl. These organic osmolytes are taken up by sodium-dependent active transport into the cells from the medium. The maximum concentration is not reached until 2-4 days after an increase in medium osmolality. The purpose of this study was to characterize the response to a decrease in medium osmolality of cells that had been grown at a high osmolality. The initial response to decreased osmolality was a rapid, transient efflux of both myo-inositol and betaine from the cells. Efflux was greatest during the first 15 min and resulted in a reduction of cell myo-inositol and betaine by almost 13 and 22%, respectively, after 3 h. Active myo-inositol and betaine influx fell more slowly, reaching a lower limit after approximately 1-2 days. The reduced influx was followed by progressive decrease in cell myo-inositol and betaine to approximately 30% of the initial value after 6 days. Thus, after a decrease in medium osmolality, MDCK cell myo-inositol and betaine fell because of a rapid, transient increase in efflux and a slow, sustained decrease in active influx.

Animals↗

Distribution of major organic osmolytes in rabbit kidneys in diuresis and antidiuresis.

Sorbitol, glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC), inositol, and betaine are organic osmolytes that accumulate in renal medullary cells. Two roles have been proposed for them: 1) that all four are "compatible osmolytes" that help regulate cell volume without disturbing function, and 2) that the methylamines (GPC and betaine) are "counteracting osmolytes," i.e., stabilizers that offset the perturbing effects of the high urea concentration. To test these hypotheses we have measured the osmolyte gradients in diuresis and antidiuresis in rabbit kidneys cut in 7 sections along the corticopapillary axis. In both antidiuresis and diuresis, inositol was highest in the outer medulla and decreased toward the tip of the inner medulla. In antidiuresis, contents of sodium, urea, sorbitol, GPC, and betaine increased monotonically toward the tip of the inner medulla. All osmolytes were significantly lower in diuresis compared with antidiuresis in two or more kidney sections. Urea, GPC, and sorbitol had the greatest differences between the two states. The sum of the four (mainly intracellular) compatible osmolytes showed a strong linear correlation with Na (presumably mostly extracellular), with a similar slope in both states, consistent with the compatible osmolytes hypothesis. Considering the osmolytes individually, only two linear correlations were highly significant and had similar slopes in both diuresis and antidiuresis: betaine with Na and GPC with urea. The latter is consistent with the counteracting osmolytes hypothesis, suggesting that GPC is the main agent stabilizing against urea in the renal medulla.

Animals↗

Osmoregulation by slow changes in aldose reductase and rapid changes in sorbitol flux.

Renal medullary extracellular NaCl concentration is high during antidiuresis. To compensate, the cells accumulate large amounts of nonperturbing, osmotically active solutes (organic "osmolytes"), including sorbitol. GRB-PAP1 is a continuous line of epithelial cells from rabbit inner medulla. These cells accumulate sorbitol when medium NaCl concentration is elevated. The accumulation involves increase in aldose reductase, which catalyzes production of sorbitol from glucose. The purpose of the present study was to investigate control of cell sorbitol once aldose reductase was induced. We measured cell sorbitol, cell-to-medium sorbitol flux, and aldose reductase in cells grown in medium made hyperosmotic (600 mosmol/kg) with added NaCl and at intervals after medium osmolality was reduced to 300 mosmol/kg. In the hyperosmotic medium, cell sorbitol averaged 990 mmol/kg protein (approximately 260 mM), and its flux into the medium was 740 mmol.kg cell protein-1.day-1 (permeability less than 2 X 10(-9) cm/s). Within 5 min after return to isosmotic medium, sorbitol efflux increased greater than 150-fold. By the end of 1 day, cell sorbitol fell 77% but aldose reductase decreased only 10%. Aldose reductase then fell slowly to low levels over 2 wk. Thus renal medullary cells, chronically adapted to high NaCl, reduced their sorbitol level on return to isosmotic conditions by at least two mechanisms: 1) rapid increase in sorbitol flux into the medium, and 2) slow changes in the amount of aldose reductase.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

Survey of osmolytes in renal cell lines.

In renal medullas during antidiuresis, the extracellular fluid is hyperosmotic because of high concentrations of NaCl and urea. Under those conditions, the cells contain high concentrations of organic osmolytes, namely sorbitol, myo-inositol, glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC), and betaine to balance the extracellular hyperosmolality. These organic osmolytes increase cell osmolality without perturbing the intracellular milieu in ways that would degrade the function of cellular macromolecules. The present study surveyed a number of cell lines for the ability to survive in media with high concentrations of NaCl and/or urea and for the accumulation of organic osmolytes. Of the renal cell lines tested, MDCK, GRB-MAL1, and A6 cells proliferated in hyperosmotic media, but medullary interstitial cells LLC-PK1 and LLC-PK3 did not proliferate, nor did nonrenal HTC-BH cells, MDCK, LLC-PK1, and LLC-PK3 cells contained higher concentrations of myo-inositol, GPC, and betaine when cultured in media containing high NaCl (with or without high urea) and much lower or undetectable levels of these osmolytes when grown in isosmotic media. Sorbitol, and to a lesser extent myo-inositol, were elevated in GRB-MAL1 cells in media hyperosmotic with NaCl but not in isosmotic media. There was less accumulation of organic osmolytes when only urea was added to increase osmolality. Thus the same osmolytes were accumulated by one or another cell line in vitro as were previously found in renal medullas. These cell lines provide models for studying osmolyte accumulation.

Animals↗

Active NH4+ absorption by the thick ascending limb.

Isolated perfused medullary thick ascending limbs from rabbits were studied to determine the mechanism of ammonium ion absorption. Under control conditions, thick ascending limbs spontaneously absorbed NH4+ and generated a lumen-positive potential. When these tubules were chemically voltage clamped to lumen-negative potentials by lowering the bath NaCl concentration, NH4+ absorption persisted. Thus NH4+ was absorbed against an electrochemical gradient. The active flux accounts for most of the net flux under control conditions, the remainder being due to passive paracellular NH4+ diffusion. The NH4+ permeability, measured in separate experiments, was high (1.50 +/- 0.25 x 10(-4) cm/s) compared with values in other segments. The NH3 permeability was relatively low (3.1 +/- 0.5 x 10(-3) cm/s). Luminal furosemide (10(-4) M) eliminated most of the active NH4+ flux, indicating that a major fraction of the active flux is dependent on apical entry of NH4+ via the Na+ -K+ -2Cl- cotransporter (presumably by substitution for K+). The remaining active flux was completely inhibited by 10(-4) M ouabain in the bath. Active chloride absorption was maintained when NH4+ entirely replaced K+ in bath and perfusate, indicating that NH4+ substitutes for K+ on the apical cotransporter and the basolateral Na+ -K+ -ATPase. Ammonium absorption provides an active "single effect" for countercurrent multiplication of NH4+ in the renal medulla.

Absorption↗

Characterization and purification of a mammalian osmoregulatory protein, aldose reductase, induced in renal medullary cells by high extracellular NaCl.

GRB-PAP1 is a continuous line of epithelial cells derived from a rabbit renal inner medulla. Elevation of the NaCl concentration in the medium bathing these cells strongly induced the expression of a soluble protein with an apparent molecular mass of 39 kDa. The protein, purified by affinity chromatography with Amicon Matrex Gel Orange A, had enzyme activity characteristic of aldose reductase (alditol:NADPH+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.21). Goat antiserum against this purified aldose reductase selected the 39-kDa band from immunoblots of cells grown in a medium containing high NaCl. When the osmolality of the medium was increased by adding NaCl, the amount of aldose reductase protein and the aldose reductase activity increased together from very low to sustained high levels over several days. The aldose reductase protein was more than 10% of the soluble cell protein when cells were propagated in medium made hyperosmotic by adding NaCl to increase medium osmolality to 600 mosm.kg-1.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

Induction of aldose reductase and sorbitol in renal inner medullary cells by elevated extracellular NaCl.

Aldose reductase [aldehyde reductase 2; alditol:NAD(P)+ 1-oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.21] catalyzes conversion of glucose to sorbitol. Although its activity is implicated in the progression of ocular and neurological complications of diabetes, the normal function of the enzyme in most cells is unknown. Both aldose reductase activity and substantial levels of sorbitol were previously reported in renal inner medullary cells. In this tissue, the extracellular NaCl concentration normally is high and varies considerably depending on the urine concentration. We report here on a line of renal medullary cells in which medium that is high in NaCl greatly increases both aldose reductase activity and intracellular sorbitol. In these tissue culture cells (and presumably also in the renal inner medulla), the intracellular sorbitol helps balance the osmotic pressure of elevated extracellular NaCl and thus prevents cellular dehydration.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

NH3 and NH4+ transport by rabbit renal proximal straight tubules.

UNLABELLED: Isolated perfused S2 proximal straight tubules from rabbits spontaneously secreted ammonia (-1.34 pmol X mm-1 X min-1) and absorbed bicarbonate (49.3 pmol X mm-1 X min-1) when perfusate and bath solutions contained 1 mM NH4Cl and 25 mM bicarbonate (pH 7.4). The NH3 concentration in the collected fluid was on average 40% lower than that of the bath as a consequence of a lower pH in the lumen. To test whether diffusion of NH3 down the bath-to-lumen NH3 concentration gradient could account for the measured ammonia secretion, we measured the permeabilities to NH3 (1.6 X 10(-2) cm/s) and NH4+ (4.5 X 10(-5) cm/s). From these values, we calculated predicted rates of passive NH3 secretion (-3.6 pmol X mm-1 X min-1) and passive NH4+ absorption (0.9 pmol X mm-1 X min-1). The predicted rate of net ammonia secretion exceeded the measured rate, indicating that passive NH3 secretion can fully account for the measured flux. In additional experiments, 10(-4) M acetazolamide in bath and perfusate inhibited net bicarbonate absorption by approximately 80%, but the rate of ammonia secretion was unaffected. CONCLUSIONS: S2 proximal straight tubules spontaneously secrete ammonia as required for generation of a corticomedullary ammonia concentration gradient by counter-current multiplication. Diffusion of NH3 down a concentration gradient created by luminal acidification can account for the ammonia secretion. A substantial passive lumen-to-bath backflux of NH4+ occurs. Acetazolamide does not inhibit ammonia secretion.

Acetazolamide↗

Luminal disequilibrium pH and ammonia transport in outer medullary collecting duct [corrected and issued with original paging in Am J Physiol 1987 Aug;253(2 Pt 2)].

We measured bicarbonate, ammonia, and luminal pH in segments of the rabbit outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD) to determine the relationship between luminal pH and ammonia transport. Both the inner-stripe and outer-stripe portions of the OMCD absorbed bicarbonate at high rates. The outer stripe OMCD generated an acidic pH disequilibrium that was reversibly dissipated by exogenous luminal carbonic anhydrase. In contrast, the inner stripe OMCD did not generate a spontaneous pH disequilibrium unless perfused with the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide. Ammonia secretion was three times more rapid in the outer stripe OMCD than in the inner stripe OMCD. We conclude the following. 1) Both the inner-stripe and outer-stripe portions of the rabbit OMCD secrete protons at substantial rates. 2) Functional luminal carbonic anhydrase is present in the inner stripe OMCD but absent from the outer stripe OMCD. 3) Ammonia secretion occurs predominantly by NH3 diffusion in both portions. 4) The luminal pH disequilibrium, which is normally present in the outer stripe OMCD, enhances ammonia secretion.

Acetazolamide↗

Control of steady-state pH in rabbit proximal straight tubules.

Steady-state pH (defined as the limiting pH reached at slow flow rates) was measured in isolated perfused rabbit proximal straight tubules (S2). With normal bath conditions (pH 7.4, bicarbonate 25 mM) the luminal steady-state pH was 6.85. Steady-state pH was directly related to bath pH and bicarbonate, but not to bath PCO2. Lowering of bath pH or bicarbonate consistently decreased luminal steady-state pH, and raising either caused steady-state pH to increase. When bath PCO2 was increased, on the other hand, steady-state pH either increased or decreased, depending on the concomitant changes in bicarbonate and pH. The changes in steady-state pH observed in the present studies following alterations in bath pH and bicarbonate concentration should, when extrapolated to the in vivo kidney, result in decreased delivery of bicarbonate from the proximal tubule in acidosis and increased delivery in alkalosis. The effects of potassium and chloride were also determined. Removal of potassium from the bath increased the steady-state pH, but removal of chloride from both the perfusate and bath had no significant effect.

Animals↗

Disequilibrium pH and ammonia transport in isolated perfused cortical collecting ducts.

The present study was carried out to test directly whether isolated perfused rabbit cortical collecting ducts (CCDs) spontaneously generate a luminal disequilibrium pH. We determined disequilibrium pH as the difference between 1) the actual luminal pH measured by perfusing the lumen with a membrane-impermeant pH-sensitive dye [1,4-dihydroxyphthalonitrile (1,4-DHPN)] and 2) equilibrium pH calculated from the measured total CO2 concentration in fluid collected at the end of the tubule. When the peritubular bath and perfusate had the same composition, a statistically significant acidic disequilibrium pH was found (mean -0.14 units). To determine whether the disequilibrium pH is due to an absolute lack of luminal carbonic anhydrase, we measured the effective rate constant for carbonic acid dehydration in the lumen (k-1). To do this, a lumen-to-bath NH3 concentration gradient was imposed, and the luminal pH was measured along the tubule with 1,4-DHPN. NH3 absorption caused a luminal disequilibrium pH (due to dissociation of NH+4 to NH3 and H+), whose profile along the lumen is dependent on k-1 and NH3 permeability (PNH3). PNH3 and k-1 were estimated from the luminal pH profiles using a mathematical model of proton and buffer transport. The measured k-1 (37 s-1) is within the reported range of values for uncatalyzed H2CO3 dehydration. Calculations demonstrate that the measured PNH3 (2 X 10(-3) cm/s) is high enough and the measured k-1 is low enough to explain ammonia secretion rates seen in previous studies. We conclude that proton secretion in the CCD generates an acidic luminal disequilibrium pH, associated with an absolute lack of luminal carbonic anhydrase, which enhances the net rate of NH3 secretion.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Effects of vasopressin and bradykinin on anion transport by the rat cortical collecting duct. Evidence for an electroneutral sodium chloride transport pathway.

Our previous studies in cortical collecting ducts isolated from rat kidneys have shown that vasopressin increases both sodium absorption and potassium secretion, while bradykinin inhibits sodium absorption without affecting potassium transport. To determine which anions are affected by these agents, we perfused cortical collecting ducts from rats treated with deoxycorticosterone and measured net chloride flux, net bicarbonate flux (measured as total CO2), transepithelial voltage, and the rate of fluid absorption. Arginine vasopressin (10(-10) M in the peritubular bath) caused a sustained sixfold increase in net chloride absorption and a two- to threefold increase in the magnitude of the lumen negative transepithelial voltage. Before addition of vasopressin, the tubules secreted bicarbonate. Vasopressin abolished the bicarbonate secretion, resulting in net bicarbonate absorption (presumably due to proton secretion) in many tubules. Bradykinin (10(-9) M added to the peritubular bath) caused a reversible 40% inhibition of net chloride absorption, but did not affect the transepithelial voltage or the bicarbonate flux. We concluded: (a) that arginine vasopressin stimulates absorption of chloride and inhibits bicarbonate secretion (or stimulates proton secretion) in the rat cortical collecting duct; and (b) that bradykinin inhibits net chloride absorption in the rat cortical collecting duct without affecting transepithelial voltage or bicarbonate flux. Combining these results with the previous observations on cation fluxes described above, we conclude that bradykinin inhibits electroneutral NaCl absorption (or stimulates electroneutral NaCl secretion) in the rat cortical collecting duct.

Animals↗

Deoxycorticosterone-stimulated bicarbonate secretion in rabbit cortical collecting ducts: effects of luminal chloride removal and in vivo acid loading.

To assess the role of cortical collecting duct bicarbonate secretion in the regulation of net acid excretion, we have sought to identify what factors influence the secretion rate. Net and unidirectional bicarbonate fluxes were measured in isolated perfused cortical collecting ducts from deoxycorticosterone-treated rabbits. The collecting ducts secreted bicarbonate at 11-24 pmol X mm-1 X min-1, confirming the high rate seen in earlier studies. Oral acid loading (50 mM NH4Cl drinking water) completely inhibited the net bicarbonate secretion. The bath-to-lumen flux was markedly reduced with acid loading, but the lumen-to-bath flux changed very little. In tubules from rabbits treated with deoxycorticosterone (but not NH4Cl), luminal chloride replacement with either sulfate or gluconate completely and reversibly inhibited the net bicarbonate secretion. The bath-to-lumen flux was greatly inhibited, but there was little change in the lumen-to-bath flux. We conclude: 1) High rates of bicarbonate secretion can be induced in rabbit cortical collecting ducts by chronic treatment of the animals with deoxycorticosterone. 2) When deoxycorticosterone-treated rabbits were made acidotic by oral administration of NH4Cl, the bicarbonate secretion was prevented, indicating that the systemic acid-base state of the animal may be an important factor regulating bicarbonate secretion. 3) Replacement of chloride in the lumen with sulfate inhibits bicarbonate secretion in the cortical collecting duct, an effect which may explain in part the decrease in urinary pH in response to sulfate infusions in mineralocorticoid-stimulated animals.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗