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Magnesium transport in the cortical thick ascending limb of Henle's loop of the rabbit.

Isolated cortical thick ascending limbs of Henle's loop were perfused in order to directly evaluate magnesium transport in this segment. Transepithelial potential difference was altered by varying the NaCl concentration in perfusate and bath and adding 50 microM furosemide to the perfusate. Perfusion under standard conditions with isotonic solutions resulted in a mean transepithelial potential difference of +8.8 +/- 0.7 mV and net magnesium absorption at a rate of 0.32 +/- 0.06 pmol/mm per min. Perfusion with a hypotonic solution significantly increased potential difference and the net absorptive rate of magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Conversely, reversal of the polarity of the potential difference with low NaCl bath and luminal furosemide produced net secretion of magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Parathyroid hormone in a bath concentration of 1.0 U/ml increased magnesium absorption from 0.32 +/- 0.06 to 0.63 +/- 0.06 pmol/mm per min (P less than 0.001) and calcium from 0.52 +/- 0.08 to 0.97 +/- 0.08 pmol/mm per min (P less than 0.001). Dibutyryl cyclic AMP produced similar effects on both calcium and magnesium absorption. Increasing bath calcium concentration twofold significantly inhibited net calcium absorption from 0.79 +/- 0.27 to 0.16 +/- 0.02 pmol/mm per min but magnesium transport was unaffected. Increasing bath magnesium concentration twofold significantly inhibited net magnesium absorption from 0.56 +/- 0.14 to -0.09 +/- 0.13 pmol/mm per min but had no effect upon net calcium transport. Net absorption of magnesium was significantly increased with increased concentration in the perfusate but calcium transport was unchanged. Similarly, increasing perfusate calcium concentration produced an increase in net calcium transport but did not alter magnesium transport. These data indicate that this segment of the loop of Henle is an important site for magnesium transport. Transport is influenced by luminal and bath concentration and is stimulated by parathyroid hormone and cyclic AMP. The data do not provide support for the concept of an interactive process between calcium and magnesium, and suggest that the positive transepithelial voltage is an important driving force for net reabsorption of magnesium, as well as calcium and potassium in this segment.

Animals↗

Structure of avian loop of Henle as related to countercurrent multiplier system.

The ultrastructural detail of the avian loop of Henle was examined, and comparisons were made to the loop of Henle of mammalian kidneys. Birds are the only group of vertebrates other than mammals that have the capability of elaborating a urine more concentrated than the plasma. Therefore, a comparison of the principal tubular element responsible for this phenomenon was made. Gambel's quail (Callipepla gambelii) were used as experimental animals. The animals were anesthetized with Inactin, and the kidneys were perfused-fixed in situ. The results show that the transition from the pars recta of the proximal tubule to the thin descending limb of Henle's loop (DLLH) is very abrupt. The upper part of the DLLH appears to be composed of type 2 and the lower part of type 3 epithelia, a condition somewhat similar to mammals. The junctions of the upper portion of DLLH are of the zonula adherens type and those of the lower portion of DLLH are of the macula adherens type. The epithelium of the loop always thickens before the formation of the hairpin turn with the thick descending limb being approximately 15% of the total DLLH. The structure of the avian renal medulla, in particular that of the loop of Henle, appears to parallel quite closely that postulated by the original formulation of the countercurrent multiplier system for the mammalian kidney.

Animals↗

Demonstration of action of muzolimine on the serosal side of Henle's loop cells.

Muzolimine, a new diuretic, is known to act by inhibiting Na transport along the ascending limb of Henle's loop. Because of its ineffectiveness when perfused into the lumen, and as a result of experiments on frog skin, it is believed that muzolimine acts from the serosal cell side, unlike all other diuretics. We decided to assess the site of action of muzolimine (mucosa versus serosa) by experiments on rats. The animals were anesthetized, both ureters cannulated, and a hydronephrosis established in the left kidney by applying a counterpressure to the ureter, slowly and progressively increased up to 60 cm H2O in 3 minutes and kept stable for 20 minutes. Then either muzolimine 1.2 mg, or furosemide 4 mg, was injected i.v. together with 131I-Hypaque as a glomerular marker. Three minutes later the hydronephrosis was released in the left kidney by cutting the catheter, and urine collections were started simultaneously in both kidneys into 25 microliter glass capillaries, that were filled in continuous sequence and numbered progressively. In each urine sample from each glass capillary Na and 131I-Hypaque were measured. In 5 animals receiving furosemide, UNa rose in the left post-obstructed kidney and reached a plateau level by the 3rd to 5th sample. The rise in Na concentration, indicating delivery of urine whose Na reabsorption had been inhibited along the loop of Henle paralleled that in 131I-Hypaque, indicating that the diuretic and the glomerular marker had reached Henle's loop simultaneously, following filtration after the hydronephrosis had been discontinued.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[Effects of fasting on the renal function of rats: Clearance experiments and Henle's loop microperfusion].

Results of a previous experiment indicated that osmotic pressure and sodium concentration in distal tubular fluid of the nephron constantly microperfused were increased during natriuresis of fasting rats. The present experiments were performed in order to clarify whether or not water reabsorption and urea movement in Henle's loop, which may modify osmotic pressure and sodium concentration in distal fluid, change in the fasting rat kidney. Non-fasting, 18 approximately 24 hours and 4 approximately 5 days-fasting rats were used. After surgical procedures, the animal was infused with 2% saline at 33.3 mul/min. The loop of Henle was perfused with 1% saline containing 0.05% lissamine green, 3H-inulin and 14C-urea at 29.1 nl/min. In the fasting groups, urinary flow and sodium excretion were increased, whereas urea excretion was depressed and inulin clearance showed a tendency to decrease. Tubular fluid to plasma ratio of osmotic pressure in the distal tubule was elevated without change of water reabsorption. From present and previous results, the increases of osmotic pressure and sodium concentration in distal tubular fluid of fasted rat kidney cannot be explained from an increase of water reabsorption in the Henle's loop. Consequently, natriuresis with fasting may contribute partially to an inhibition of sodium reabsorption in Henle's loops, possibly in the thick ascending limbs. Recovery of C-urea perfused into Henle's loops of fasted rats increased.

Animals↗

Ammonium transport by the loop of Henle.

Absorption of ammonium by the loop of Henle provides a mechanism by which ammonium produced and secreted by proximal tubules is transferred to collecting ducts in the renal medulla. Loop ammonium absorption is largely a result of active absorption of NH4+ by the thick ascending limb. Ammonium absorption in the thick ascending limb is mediated primarily by apical membrane Na(+)-NH4(+)-2Cl- cotransport, and provides a 'single effect' for countercurrent multiplication of ammonium in the renal medulla. Countercurrent multiplication causes ammonium to accumulate to high concentrations in the medullary interstitial fluid and generates a transepithelial concentration difference for NH3 that favors secretion of ammonium into medullary collecting ducts. Changes in systemic potassium balance and chronic metabolic acidosis influence ammonium excretion by regulating ammonium absorption in the medullary thick ascending limb and altering transfer of ammonium to medullary collecting ducts.

Absorption↗

Glucose transport by short loops of Henle in the rat.

1. Short loops of Henle were artificially perfused with saline solutions containing 5 or 0 mM-glucose in the presence and absence of phlorizin. 2. Net fluid reabsorption was greater when glucose but no phlorizin was present than in all other series. 3. Glucose was reabsorbed from glucose-containing perfusate and this was abolished by phlorizin. Secretion of glucose occurred into the perfusate which initially contained no glucose and this secretion was enhanced by phlorizin. 4. Sodium reabsorption was inhibited by phlorizin, when glucose was present, but enhanced by phlorizin when glucose was absent. 5. It can be shown that there is secretion of some osmotically active solute in all series. Its secretion is enhanced by phlorizin in the absence of glucose.

Absorption↗

Characterization of Na+ transport across the cell membranes of the ascending thin limb of Henle's loop.

In the ascending thin limb of Henle's loop (ATL), intracellular Na+ is extruded by Na+/K+ ATPase in the basolateral membrane. To further characterize Na+ transport across the cell membranes of the ATL, the intracellular sodium concentration ([Na+]i) was monitored using a sodium-sensitive fluorescent probe, SBFI, in the in vitro microperfused hamster ATL. Basal [Na+]i was 19.0 +/- 1.2 mM (N = 24). Removal and replacement of luminal Na+ did not change [Na+]i in the presence of Na+ in the bathing fluid. In contrast, luminal Na+ removal reduced [Na+]i from 11.6 +/- 0.9 to 6.3 +/- 0.8 mM in the absence of peritubular Na+ (P < 0.0005, N = 21). Replacement of luminal Na+ increased [Na+]i to 12.6 +/- 0.9 mM. In the absence of Na+ in the bath, the addition of 1 microM benzamil, 0.1 mM 5-(N,N-dimethyl)-amiloride (DMA), 0.1 mM furosemide, or 0.1 mM trichlormethiazide to the lumen did not change [Na+]i or the rate of change in [Na+]i/dt) after removal and replacement of luminal Na+. Decreases in luminal pH in a Hepes-buffered solution and luminal HCO3- did not affect [Na+]i. In the absence of peritubular Na+, DMA in the bathing fluid decreased [Na+]i from 11.4 +/- 1.3 to 6.4 +/- 1.2 mM (P < 0.01, N = 5) and completely inhibited the changes in [Na+]i after removal and replacement of luminal Na+. Removal of peritubular Na+ reduced [Na+]i from 18.8 +/- 1.2 to 11.3 +/- 0.7 mM (P < 0.0001, N = 23). Addition of DMA in the bathing fluid reduced [Na+]i and inhibited the changes in [Na+]i after removal and replacement of peritubular Na+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amiloride↗

Characteristics of urea transport of cells derived from rabbit thick ascending limb of Henle's loop.

BACKGROUND: The thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (TALH) is thought to be involved in the regulation of the renal urea gradient. METHODS: We have characterized the uptake of urea (oil density centrifugation and 2-compartment-culture) and volume regulation (impedance measurement) in highly differentiated cells derived from rabbit outer medulla. RESULTS: TALH cells exposed to 600 mOsm/liter (300 mM urea) shrunk to 72 +/- 5% of the isoosmotic volume. Due to a regulatory volume increase (RVI), the cell volume was almost completely regained at 92 +/- 6% after five minutes. The uptake of 14C-urea in the presence of urea concentrations up to 600 mM did not show any saturation. In the presence of phloretin the urea uptake decreased to 69 +/- 14%. The transport was sodium and chloride independent. Changing the membrane potential caused an increase of regulatory volume increase and urea uptake. Hyperosmolarity induced by sucrose (300 mM) and NaCl (150 mM) caused a decrease of urea uptake to 70 +/- 14% and 53 +/- 11%, respectively. The permeability coefficient (P) in a two compartment culture was P = 1.7 . 10(-6) +/- 0.39.10(-6) cm/second, suggesting a relatively low permeability. CONCLUSION: Due to the low permeability, it seems impossible to achieve a physiologically significant participation of the TALH in the urea circulation within the nephron. However, the results of this study provides significant hints about the existence of a specific urea transport mechanism that enables the cell to adapt rapidly to different osmolarities.

Acetamides↗

Specificity of amino acid transport in renal papilla: microinfusion of Henle's loops and vasa recta.

Amino acids can be reabsorbed distal to tips of Henle's loops and may be recycled between loops and vasa recta in rat papilla. Transport specificity was examined during continuous microinfusions of ascending Henle's loops and vasa recta with radiolabeled amino acids. Percent of recovered radiolabel as intact amino acid was also determined. Previous data indicated that, relative to simultaneously microinfused inulin, 30-40% of radiolabeled L- and D-Ala, L-Glu, L-Glu(NH2), and Gly, but no taurine (Tau) or mannitol, microinfused into Henle's loops was reabsorbed. In the present study, reabsorption was shown to involve intact L- and D-Ala, D-Glu, and L-Ser. L-Phe (50 mM) in infusate had no effect on reabsorption of L-Ala (2.5 mM) or L-Glu(NH2) (42.6 microM), and D-Asp (50 mM) had no effect on reabsorption of L-Glu (1.5 mM). Thus reabsorption from Henle's loops is not stereospecific, not different for neutral and acidic amino acids, and not inhibited by competitive inhibitors of proximal tubule amino acid transport, but it was not completely nonspecific and not a simple leak. Previous vasa recta microinfusions suggested that Ala could move directly from vasa recta to tubules. These studies were extended with simultaneous collections from ipsilateral and contralateral kidneys. Relative to simultaneously microinfused inulin, 40-50% of radiolabeled L- and D-Ala, L-Glu, and L-Glu(NH2) and 30% of L-Ser microinfused into ascending vasa recta appeared intact in urine from ipsilateral kidney, whereas only 1-3% appeared in urine from contralateral kidney. Fifty percent of infused D-Glu was excreted intact by each kidney; 70% of infused Tau was excreted intact by ipsilateral kidney, and 22% was excreted by contralateral kidney. L-Phe (50 mM) in infusate inhibited appearance of L-Ala (2.5 mM) and D-Ala (10 mM) but not L-Glu(NH2) (42.6 microM) in ipsilateral urine. D-Asp (50 mM) inhibited appearance of L-Glu (1.5 mM), and beta-Ala (50 mM) inhibited appearance of Tau (78 microM) in ipsilateral urine. Thus some amino acids can move directly from vasa recta into tubules (probably descending thin limbs of Henle's loops) by a process showing significant specificity.

Alanine↗

The effect of loop of Henle diuretics on the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism.

Increases in the delivery of solute to the loop of Henle result in increased reabsorption, vasoconstriction of the afferent arteriole, and a reduction in the glomerular filtration. Although the details of this tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) mechanism are not completely worked out, it appears certain that alterations in reabsorption by the loop of Henle are critical to its operation. In the following study, we assessed the effect of several different loop of Henle diuretics on the response of the TGF mechanism. The function of TGF was monitored by measuring the stop-flow pressure (SFP) in the early proximal tubule in response to alterations in perfusion rate through the loop of Henle. All drugs were given directly into the loop of Henle in a concentration of 10(-4) M. With control solutions, SFP fell in a sigmoidal fashion over a perfusion range of 5 to 45 nl/min. When furosemide was added to the perfusate at a dose of 10(-4) M, SFP did not change. Bumetanide had an effect similar to furosemide, but muzolimine failed to inhibit the reduction in SFP over the perfusion range. Three experimental compounds were tested. All three cause diuresis when administered orally to animals. MK447 had no effect on SFP, but its metabolite, MK447-SO4, had an effect similar to furosemide. Another compound with modest diuretic effects, ICI 207,828, actually increased the response in SFP. Two distal diuretics, hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride, had no effect on SFP. The response of SFP to all these compounds correlated with its measured effect on loop reabsorption of sodium. Furosemide, bumetanide and MK447-SO4 significantly reduced sodium reabsorption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Flow correlation of loop of Henle potassium influx.

Potassium influx in short loops of Henle was assessed using end proximal to early distal perfusion with potassium-free saline. Over a wide range of perfusion rates influx was highly correlated with collected flow rates. The magnitude of the influx was comparable with the delivery rate of potassium to the early distal site seen during free flow, over a narrower range of collected flow rates.

Animals↗

Lithium clearance: modification by the loop of Henle in man.

1. The contribution of Li+ reabsorption in the loop of Henle to lithium clearance (CLi) and the possible mechanism(s) involved were assessed in healthy volunteers. Four mechanisms were considered: (a) passive reabsorption in the thin ascending limb, (b) solvent drag in the thin descending limb, (c) the Na+, K+, 2Cl- transporter in the thick ascending limb and (d) paracellular movement in the thick ascending limb. 2. Since alterations in the corticomedullary osmolal concentration gradient produced by fluid restriction (500 ml day-1) and subsequent water loading (15 ml kg-1) did not affect either CLi (28.5 +/- 2.1 vs. 28.2 +/- 1.9 ml min-1) or fractional lithium clearance (FELi; 23.5 +/- 2.0 vs. 23.0 +/- 1.9%), it is unlikely that substantial Li+ reabsorption occurs in the thin limbs by either passive movement or solvent drag. 3. Increasing plasma Li+ with unchanged plasma Na+ in salt-replete volunteers was associated with only small reductions in CLi (32.8 +/- 1.3 ml min-1, P less than 0.05) and FELi (27.3 +/- 1.8 vs. 25.3 +/- 2.0%, P less than 0.05). This suggests that substantial Li+ reabsorption on the Na+, K+, 2Cl- transporter does not occur. 4. Bumetanide increased FELi in salt-depleted (LS) and salt-replete (HS) volunteers and abolished the pre-diuretic difference in FELi between salt intakes (LS, 16.6 +/- 1.5 vs. 38.7 +/- 2.3%, P less than 0.001; HS, 30.1 +/- 1.5 vs. 40.5 +/- 2.0%, P less than 0.001). Changes in CPO4 and CHCO3 were not detected. Acetazolamide produced comparable increases in FELi (LS, 16.6 +/- 1.5 vs. 38.7 +/- 2.2%, P less than 0.001; HS, 30.1 +/- 1.5 vs. 43.1 +/- 2.4%, P less than 0.01); and CPO4 and CHCO3 were increased. When tubular flow to the loop of Henle was increased by acetazolamide, the bumetanide-induced increases in FELi were reduced (LS, 38.7 +/- 2.2 vs. 48.7 +/- 2.3%, P less than 0.001; HS, 43.1 +/- 2.4 vs. 48.1 +/- 2.6%, P less than 0.001). 5. These data are consistent with the view that (a) Li+ is reabsorbed by a bumetanide-sensitive mechanism in the loop of Henle, (b) approximately 20 and 10% of the filtered load, respectively, is reabsorbed in the loop in salt-depleted and salt-replete volunteers, (c) flow-dependent, voltage-driven paracellular movement in the thick ascending limb is the likely mechanism and (d) this mechanism could account for the difference in Li+ reabsorption between low and high salt intakes.

Absorption↗

The effects of the potassium channel opener minoxidil on renal electrolytes transport in the loop of henle.

ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP)) in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle play an important role in apical K(+) recycling, a mechanism essential for maintaining the activity of the Na/2Cl/K-cotransporter. We have previously demonstrated that inhibition of K(ATP) decreases Na(+) and K(+) absorption in the loop of Henle and induces diuretic and natriuretic effects. In the present study, we used renal clearance and in vivo microperfusion techniques to evaluate the effects of the K(ATP) opener minoxidil on the urinary excretion and absorption in the loop of Henle of Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), and Mg(2+). Intravenous injection of minoxidil (1.5 mg/kg) significantly decreased fractional Na(+) (FENa) and Mg(2+) (FEMg) excretion and urine volume with a moderate decrease in blood pressure (12%) and glomerular filtration rate (15%). Urine volume decreased 63%, and FENa and FEMg decreased 58 and 37%, respectively. In contrast, K(+) and Ca(2+) excretion did not change significantly. In the microperfusion of the loop of Henle, addition of minoxidil to the perfusion fluid significantly increased fluid (J(v)), Na(+) (J(Na)), Cl(-) (J(Cl)), and K(+) (J(K)) absorption. J(v) increased 44% (from 8.32 to 11.95 nl/min), J(Na) increased 14% (from 1.96 to 2.34 nmol/min), J(Cl) increased 21% (from 1.72 to 2.08 nmol/min), and J(K) increased 57% (from 35.8 to 56.4 pmol/min). We conclude that the activation of K(ATP) leads to stimulation of Na/2Cl/K-cotransporter activity and increases the rates of Na(+), Cl(-), and K(+) absorption in the loop of Henle, an effect contributing to the antidiuretic and antinatriuretic action of this K channel opener.

Animals↗

Bicarbonate transport along the loop of Henle. II. Effects of acid-base, dietary, and neurohumoral determinants.

The loop of Henle contributes to renal acidification by reabsorbing about 15% of filtered bicarbonate. To study the effects on loop of Henle bicarbonate transport (JHCO3) of acid-base disturbances and of several factors known to modulate sodium transport, these in vivo microperfusion studies were carried out in rats during: (a) acute and chronic metabolic acidosis, (b) acute and chronic (hypokalemic) metabolic alkalosis, (c) a control sodium diet, (d) a high-sodium diet, (e) angiotensin II (AII) intravenous infusion, (f) simultaneously intravenous infusion of both AII and the AT1 receptor antagonist DuP 753, (g) acute ipsilateral mechanicochemical renal denervation. Acute and chronic metabolic acidosis increased JHCO3; acute metabolic alkalosis significantly reduced JHCO3, whereas chronic hypokalemic alkalosis did not alter JHCO3. Bicarbonate transport increased in animals on a high-sodium intake and following AII administration, and the latter was inhibited by the AII (AT1) receptor antagonist DuP 753; acute renal denervation lowered bicarbonate transport. These data indicate that bicarbonate reabsorption along the loop of Henle in vivo is closely linked to systemic acid-base status and to several factors known to modulate sodium transport.

Acid-Base Imbalance↗

Cell proliferation in the loop of henle in the developing rat kidney.

In the developing rat kidney, there is no separation of the medulla into an outer and inner zone. At the time of birth, ascending limbs with immature distal tubule epithelium are present throughout the renal medulla, all loops of Henle resemble the short loop of adult animals, and there are no ascending thin limbs. It was demonstrated previously that immature thick ascending limbs in the renal papilla are transformed into ascending thin limbs by apoptotic deletion of cells and transformation of the remaining cells into a thin squamous epithelium. However, it is not known whether this is the only source of ascending thin limb cells or whether cell proliferation occurs in the segment undergoing transformation. This study was designed to address these questions and to identify sites of cell proliferation in the loop of Henle. Rat pups, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 d old, received a single injection of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) 18 h before preservation of kidneys for immunohistochemistry. Thick ascending and descending limbs were identified by labeling with antibodies against the serotonin receptor, 5-HT(1A), and aquaporin-1, respectively. Proliferating cells were identified with an antibody against BrdU. BrdU-positive cells in descending and ascending limbs of the loop of Henle were counted and expressed as percentages of the total number of aquaporin-1-positive and 5-HT(1A)-positive cells in the different segments. In the developing kidney, numerous BrdU-positive nuclei were observed in the nephrogenic zone. Outside of this location, BrdU-positive tubule cells were most prevalent in medullary rays in the inner cortex and in the outer medulla. BrdU-labeled cells were rare in the papillary portion of the loop of Henle and were not observed in the lower half of the papilla after 3 d of age. BrdU-labeled nuclei were not observed in segments undergoing transformation or in newly formed ascending thin limb epithelium. It was concluded that the growth zone for the loop of Henle is located around the corticomedullary junction, and the ascending thin limb is mainly, if not exclusively, derived from cells of the thick ascending limb.

Aging↗

The early phase of experimental acute renal failure. IV. The diluting ability of the short loops of Henle.

Experiments were conducted to establish whether diminished solute reabsorption in the loop of Henle during acute renal failure could explain the loss of urinary concentration and participate in generating a tubuloglomerular feedback-mediated reduction in filtration rate. The electrolyte content of the fluid in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle was determined in situ by monitoring its electrical conductivity after propulsion into the distal tubule with a sudden burst perfusion. The value of the minimum electrolyte concentration decreased exponentially with increasing equilibration time, reaching a steady-state value equivalent to 27 +/- 9 mM NaCl in normal kidneys, 34 +/- 15 mM in mercuric chloride kidneys and 53 +/- 22 mM following ischaemia. A mathematical model was derived to describe the process of sodium chloride dilution from which it was possible to calculate both the permeability and transport velocity of the cortical thick ascending limb. In the normal kidney, the transport velocity was calculated to be 4.65 +/- 0.92 . 10(-5) cm/s, a value not significantly different from that of the mercuric chloride of ischaemic kidneys, and the estimated permeability was 1.13 +/- 0.52 . 10(-5) cm/s, not different from that of the mercuric chloride kidneys but significantly lower than that calculated for the ischaemic kidneys. It is concluded that for the more severely damaged ischaemic model, the loss of urinary concentrating ability was accompanied by a reduction in diluting ability of the ascending limb of the short loop of Henle, which appears to be due, at least in part, to an elevation of the passive permeability to sodium chloride in this segment.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

The luminal K+ channel of the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop.

In vitro perfused rat thick ascending limbs of Henle's loop (TAL) were used (n = 260) to analyse the conductance properties of the luminal membrane applying the patch-clamp technique. Medullary (mTAL) and cortical (cTAL) tubule segments were dissected and perfused in vitro. The free end of the tubule was held and immobilized at one edge by a holding pipette kept under continuous suction. A micropositioner was used to insert a patch pipette into the lumen, and a gigaohm seal with the luminal membrane was achieved in 455 instances out of considerably more trials. In approximately 20% of all gigaohm seals recordings of single ionic channels were obtained. We have identified only one single type of K+ channel in these cell-attached and cell-excised recordings. In the cell-attached configuration with KCl or NaCl in the pipette, the channel had a conductance of 60 +/- 6 pS (n = 24) and 31 +/- 7 pS (n = 4) respectively. In cell-free patches with KCl either in the patch pipette or in the bath and with a Ringer-type solution (NaCl) on the opposite side the conductance was 72 +/- 4 pS (n = 37) at a clamp voltage of 0 mV. The permeability was 0.33 +/- 0.02 . 10(-12) cm3/s. The selectivity sequence of this channel was: K+ = Rb+ = NH4+ = Cs+ greater than Li+ much greater than Na+ = 0; the conductance sequence was K+ much greater than Li+ much greater than Rb+ = Cs+ = NH4+ = Na+ = 0. In excised patches Rb+, Cs+ and NH4+ when present in the bath at 145 mmol/l all inhibited K+ currents out of the pipette. The channel kinetics were described by one open (9.5 +/- 1.5 ms, n = 18) and by two closed (1.4 +/- 0.1 and 14 +/- 2 ms) time constants. The open probability of this channel was increased by depolarization. The channel open probability was reduced voltage dependently by Ba2+ (half maximal inhibition at 0 mV: 0.07 mmol/l) from the cytosolic side. Verapamil, diltiazem, quinine and quinidine inhibited at approximately 1 mumol/l -0.1 mmol/l from either side. Similarly, the amino cations lidocaine, tetraethylammonium and choline inhibited at 10-100 mmol/l. The channel was downregulated in its open probability by cytosolic Ca2+ activities greater than 10(-7) mol/l and by adenosine triphosphate greater than or equal to 10(-4) mol/l. The open probability was downregulated by decreasing cytosolic pH (2-fold by a decrease in pH by less than or equal to 0.2 units).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Effect of ADH on chloride reabsorption in the loop of Henle of the Brattleboro rat.

Both in vivo superficial loop segment microperfusion and in vitro perfusion of isolated medullary thick ascending limb segments were used to assess the effect of vasopressin on loop of Henle chloride absorption in the Brattleboro rat. Superficial loop segments were perfused between the latest proximal and earliest distal tubule in vivo at 19.2 +/- 0.4 nl/min (mean +/- SE) with an artificial tubule fluid. Under control conditions, absolute chloride reabsorption was 1,596 +/- 61 pmol/min and increased to 1,876 +/- 102 after intravenous infusion of vasopressin (P less than 0.005). Distal tubule fluid chloride concentration decreased 4.6 +/- 1.5 meq/liter (P less than 0.05), and fractional chloride reabsorption increased 4.8 +/- 2.0% (P less than 0.05). For in vitro perfusion, medullary thick ascending limb segments were bathed and perfused (9-15 nl/min) with phosphate-buffered solutions at 38 degrees C. Under control conditions, transepithelial voltage was +2.4 +/- 0.3 mV, lumen positive, and the net chloride flux was 147 +/- 24 pmol X min-1 X mm-1 in the absorptive direction. Addition of vasopressin to the bathing solution increased net chloride reabsorption to 342 +/- 56 pmol X min-1 X mm-1 (P less than 0.02) and transepithelial voltage to 3.0 +/- 0.3 mV (P less than 0.002). An additional group of tubules was examined under identical conditions; however, vasopressin was removed from the bathing medium during a subsequent recovery period. In these experiments, net chloride flux and transepithelial voltage significantly increased compared with the control period and returned to control values upon removal of vasopressin from the bath.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Absorption↗