Two modes of Na extrusion in cells from guinea pig kidney cortex slices

Na+, K+ and Cl- transport in isolated small intestinal cells from guinea pig. Evidences for the existence of a second Na+ pump

Isolated small intestinal epithelial cells, after incubation at 4 degrees C for 30 min, reach ion concentrations (36 mM K+, 113 mM Na+ and 110 mM Cl-) very similar to those of the incubation medium. Upon rewarming to 37 degrees C, cells are able to extrude Na+, Cl- and water and to gain K+. Na+ extrusion is performed by two active mechanisms. The first mechanism, transporting Na+ by exchanging it for K+, is inhibited by ouabain and is insensitive to ethacrynic acid. It is the classical Na+ pump. The second mechanism transports Na+ with Cl- and water, is insensitive to ouabain but is inhibited by ethacrynic acid. Both mechanisms are inhibited by dinitrophenol and anoxia. The second Na+ extruding mechanism could be the Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransport system. However, this possibility can be ruled out because the force driving cotransport would work inwards, and because Na+ extrusion with water loss continues after substitution of Cl- by NO3-. We propose that enterocytes have a second Na+ pump, similar to that proposed in proximal tubular cells.

High sodium diet and Na+-stimulated ATPase activities in basolateral plasma membranes from rat kidney proximal tubular cells

The ouabain-insensitive, Na+-stimulated ATPase activity of kidney proximal tubular cells from rats fed a high Na+ diet for 4 months was increased approximately 70% when compared with control (normal diet) rats. The higher ATPase activity was not due to a change in the affinity of the system toward ATP, Mg2+ or Na+. This increase in Na+-ATPase activity may be due to either a higher number of pumps or to a higher turnover rate of the enzyme or both. The ouabain-sensitive, Na+, K+-stimulated ATPase activity, on the other hand, did not change with the high sodium diet. These results can be taken as evidence that the Na+,K+-ATPase and the Na+-ATPase of basolateral plasma membranes of proximal tubular cells from rat kidney are two different entities.

Effect of a high NaCl diet on the active mechanisms of Na+ extrusion in rat kidney

Healthy male rats were exposed to a chronic ingesta of an isotonic NaCl solution during a period of four months. Two different preparations were utilized to study the effect of this treatment on the active mechanisms of Na+ reabsorption of kidney proximal tubular cells: outermost kidney cortex slices (rich in proximal tubules) and inside-out basolateral plasma membrane vesicles prepared from the same tissue. It was found that the activity of the ouabain-insensitive, Na-pump of basolateral plasma membranes of kidney proximal tubular cells was increased in about 70%, whereas the ouabain-sensitive, Na,K-pump activity did not change with the experimental treatment. These results represent a strong support to the two Na-pump's hypothesis since the treatment affected the Na-pump differentially without affecting the Na,K-pump.

Dinitrophenol effect on proximal tubular acidification in the rat

The effect of 10(-3) M-dinitrophenol (DNP) on renal tubular acidification was studied in proximal tubules of rat kidneys perfused with mammalian Ringer solution. Alkaline (pH 7.8) or acid (pH 5.8) phosphate-buffered solutions were injected into the lumen, and pH changes recorded with antimony micro-electrodes. Luminal perfusion with DNP caused complex acidification or alkalinization curves, an initial rapid shift toward a higher than control pH being followed by a slower acidification. Acidification half-times of the initial phase (t1/2 = 1.6 s) were markedly shorter than controls (6.2 s). This response was probably due to transient action of DNP, since keeping constant peritubular DNP levels by capillary perfusion caused simple exponential pH curves. In such experiments luminal pH increased from pH 6.6-6.8 to 7.1-7.2, while acidification and alkalinization t1/2 decreased from about 7 s to 3-5 s. Secretory H-ion fluxes increased transiently and then fell below controls after a few minutes of perfusion, while H-ion efflux from the lumen increased progressively. These data suggest that, besides its known effect on cell metabolism, DNP acts directly on proximal tubular cell membranes, increasing the rate of passive H-ion equilibration, both mechanisms impairing the tubular capacity to maintain normal proximal pH gradients and fluxes.

Effect of Ca2+ on the ouabain-insensitive, active Na+ uptake in inside-out basolateral plasma membrane vesicles from rat kidney proximal tubular cells

The ouabain-insensitive, active Na+ uptake of inside-out vesicles prepared with basolateral plasma membranes from rat kidney proximal tubular cells can be increased by the presence of micromolar concentrations of Ca2+ in the assay medium. The concomitant ATP hydrolysis associated with the Na+ uptake is also increased by the presence of Ca2+. The Na+ uptake and the concomitant ATP hydrolysis are inhibited by 2 mM furosemide. The effect of Ca2+ is not due to the activity of an Na+-Ca2+ exchanger. The present results are in accordance with our previous model (Proverbio, F., Proverbio, T. and Marín, R. (1982) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 688, 757-763) in which we proposed that Ca2+ seems to modulate the activity of the ouabain-insensitive Na+ pump, in two different ways: (1) in a strong association with the membranes in which Ca2+ (stable component) is essential for the pump activity and (2) in a weak association with the membranes in which Ca2+ (labile component) can be quickly and easily removed by reducing the free Ca2+ concentration of the assay medium to values lower than 1 microM. The Ka for Ca2+ (for the labile component) is around 5 microM. The Ca2+ modulation of the ouabain-insensitive Na+ pump is an indication that Ca2+ could regulate the magnitude of the Na+ extrusion accompanied by Cl- and water present in rat kidney proximal tubular cells.

ATPase activities in kidney basolateral plasma membranes of young and old rats

The present work studied the turnover rate of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase as well as Mg2+- and Na+- ATPase activities in basolateral plasma membranes from kidney cortex cells of young and old rats. It was found that, as for the homogenates, the turnover rate of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase was diminished by aging in about 40%. The Mg2+-ATPase activities on the other hand, were similar for the rat kidneys of young and old, in both the homogenates as well as the basolateral plasma membrane fractions.

Hepatocytes volume regulation

Cell volume regulation has been studied during isolated dog liver perfusion. In presence of ouabain (10(-4) M) rapid but quantitatively matched exchange of K for Na occurs and the cellular volume is maintained until (90 min later) intracellular K concentration falls below 80 mEq/litre. Additional mechanism of protection of cell volume as loss of intracellular anions should also play a rôle since ouabain produces rapidly a membrane depolarization and chloride gain. A similar sequence of events is obtained when inhibition of the sodium pump is produced by anoxia but in this case the chloride gain in excess of cation gain is particularly marked. Submitted to an hypotonic shock the hepatocytes swell but tend to partially recover their volume by loosing K, indeed when osmolarity is corrected the cells maintain a sub-normal volume. Ouabain inhibits (or masks?) this iso-osmotic regulation. When submitted to an hypertonic medium a reduced cell volume is obtained and maintained for hours even in presence of ouabain, which produces a Na/K exchange at the same rate as in normal conditions.

Active sodium transport in basolateral plasma membrane vesicles from rat kidney proximal tubular cells

Inside-out vesicles prepared with basolateral plasma membranes from rat kidney proximal tubular cells can accumulate Na+ actively in two ways. Mode 1, which is K+-independent, is ouabain-insensitive and is inhibited by furosemide and mode 2, which is K+-dependent, is inhibited by ouabain and is insensitive to furosemide. The presence of Mg2+ and ATP in the incubation medium is essential for both modes of Na+ uptake to proceed and in both cases, the nucleotide is hydrolyzed during the process. These results are consistent with the idea of the existence, in these membranes, of two Na+ pumps: one, which can work in the absence of K+ (Na+ pump) and another, which needs K+ to work (Na+ + K+ pump).

Morphological and physiological studies of rat kidney cortex slices undergoing isosmotic swelling and its reversal: a possible mechanism for ouabain-resistant control of cell volume

Slices of rat kidney cortex were induced to swell by preincubation at 1 degree C in an isotonic Ringer's solution, and their capacity to reverse swelling, by net extrusion of cellular water, was studied during subsequent incubation at 25 degrees C. The recovery from swelling was prevented by the respiratory inhibitor, antimycin A. On the other hand, extrusion of water was little affected by ouabain. The extrusion of water continuing in the presence of ouabain (but not that in its absence) was significantly reduced when furosemide was added or when medium Cl- was replaced by NO-3 or I-. There was substantial variability in the morphological appearance of cells within the cortical slices. Different segments of the nephron showed different structural changes during swelling and its reversal, the proximal tubules being most markedly affected. Proximal tubular cells of swollen slices showed disorganization of brush borders and expansion of their apical surfaces, and contained vesicles in their apical cytoplasm. Upon recovery at 25 degrees C, the apical portions of these cells showed reversal of the expansion, but some apical vesicles remained. These vesicles were much more numerous after recovery in the presence of ouabain, but they were much reduced in numbers, or totally absent, when recovery took place in the presence of furosemide or absence of Cl-, with or without ouabain. The vesicles seen in the presence of ouabain alone appeared to fuse with each other and with infoldings of the basolateral plasma membrane. Rather similar results were obtained with distal tubular cells in the slices. We suggest that volume regulation in the proximal and distal tubular cells proceeds by way of two mechanisms. The first consists of extrusion of water coupled to the ouabain-sensitive transport of Na+ and K+. The other proceeds by way of an ouabain-resistant entry of water into apical cytoplasmic vesicles, following furosemide-sensitive movements of Cl- and Na+; the vesicles then expel their contents by exocytosis at the basolateral cell borders.

Na+-stimulated ATPase activities in basolateral plasma membranes from guinea-pig small intestinal epithelial cells

Two ATPase activities, a Na+-ATPase and a (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, have been found associated with sheets of basolateral plasma membranes from guinea-pig small intestinal epithelial cells. The specific activity of the former is 10-15% of the latter. The two ATPase activities differ in their affinity for Na+, their optimal pH, their K+ requirement and particularly in their behaviour in the presence of some inhibitors and of Ca2+. Thus the Na+-ATPase is refractory to ouabain but it is strongly inhibited by ethacrynic acid and furosemide, whilst the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase is totally suppressed by ouabain, partially by ethacrynic acid and refractory to furosemide. In addition, the Na+-ATPase is activated by micromolar concentrations of calcium and by resuspension of the membrane preparation at pH 7.8. The Na+-ATPase is only stimulated by sodium and to a lesser extent by lithium; however, this stimulation is independent of the anion accompanying Na+. The latter rules out the participation of an anionic ATPase. The relation between the characteristics of the sodium transport mechanism in basolateral membrane vesicles (Del Castillo, J.R. and Robinson, J.W.L. (1983) Experientia 39,631) and those of the two ATPase activities present in the same membranes, allow us to postulate the existence of two separate sodium pumps in this membranes. Each pump would derive the necessary energy for active ion transport from the hydrolysis of ATP, catalyzed by different ATPase systems.

Mg2+-ATP-dependent sodium transport in inside-out basolateral plasma membrane vesicles from guinea-pig small intestinal epithelial cells

The transport of sodium into inside-out basolateral plasma membrane vesicles from small intestinal epithelial cells has been examined. It was found, under equilibrium conditions, that binding of 22Na represents approx. 55% of the total uptake during an equilibration period of 30 min; 45% of the total uptake correspond to passive sodium entry in the vesicle space. In addition to binding and to passive Na+ entry, two distinct mechanisms capable of accumulating sodium in the intravesicular space can be demonstrated when ATP is added to the incubation medium. One transports sodium actively in the absence of potassium, whereas the other requires the presence of potassium in the interior of the vesicles. The two mechanisms can also be differentiated by their affinities for sodium, their optimal pH and by their behaviour towards different inhibitors. Thus, the mechanism that transports sodium in the absence of potassium is refractory to ouabain, but is inhibited by ethacrynic acid and furosemide, whilst the mechanism that accumulates sodium inside the vesicles in the presence of internal potassium is strongly inhibited by ouabain, is weakly inhibited by ethacrynic acid and is insensitive of furosemide. ATP is a specific stimulator of both processes, and the requirement for magnesium is absolute in both cases.

The role of anions in cellular volume regulation

Cellular volume can be varied substantially by replacing medium Cl- isosmotically by other univalent anions. Since K+ content changes in parallel, cellular K+ concentration is well maintained. Gluconate behaves as an impermeant anion so cells shrink. Acetate enters cells apparently by non-ionic diffusion causing marked cellular swelling. These changes in volume are fully reversed when Cl- is again restored to the medium. However, ouabain (10(-3) M) largely prevents this reversal when Cl- replaces acetate, arguing against a ouabain-insensitive volume regulating mechanism. In toad urinary bladder, serosal gluconate inhibits transepithelial Na+ transport and cells shrink. Analysis suggests that cell shrinkage results in a loss of Ba2+-sensitive highly selective basolateral membrane K+ conductance channels.

Effects of inorganic lead in vitro on ion exchanges and respiratory metabolism of rat kidney cortex

The effects of Pb2+ added in vitro to tissue slices, isolated tubules and isolated mitochondria of rat kidney cortex have been studied. Slices were depleted of K+ and loaded with Na+, Cl- and water by pre-incubation at 1 degree C, and reversal of these changes was then induced by incubation under metabolically favourable conditions. The net reaccumulation of K+ was reduced by a maximum of 30% when Pb2+ was present in the medium, the maximal effect being caused by 200 microM Pb2+. Lead also caused a reduction of Na+ extrusion which was approximately equimolar with its effect on K+, but it did not affect the extrusion of Cl- and water. The initial rates of the net, active movements of K+ and Na+ were not altered by Pb2+, divergence from control values only being noted after 15-30 min incubation. The O2 consumption and the ATP content were 25-30% lower in slices incubated with 200 microM Pb2+ than in control slices; the effect on ATP content was not observed until incubation had continued for 30 min. In tubules isolated from the renal cortex, the rate of respiration (50%) and ATP content (30%) were also partly reduced by 200 microM Pb2+. The consumption of O2 by mitochondria isolated from the cortex was much more sensitive to Pb2+ added in vitro than the respiration of intact cells; the rate of respiration in state 3 (presence of phosphate acceptor) and the respiratory control ratio were drastically reduced, with half-maximal inhibition at 30 and 20 microM Pb2+ respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of medium acetate on cellular volume in rabbit renal cortical slices

Slices of rabbit renal cortex were incubated at 25 degrees C in media in which acetate replaced chloride. There was gross cellular swelling in isosmotic 132 mM-acetate medium, and this swelling was unique in that, with a normal medium potassium concentration, it was accompanied by a substantial increase in cellular potassium content. This accumulation of potassium, but not the cellular swelling, was dependent upon metabolism and inhibited by ouabain. This accumulation of potassium was not dependent upon the cellular swelling. It also occurred in a hyperosmotic acetate medium in which swelling was minimized. In isosmotic media, the cellular swelling was proportional to medium acetate concentration and was also affected markedly by medium pH, being greatest at an initial medium pH of 7.1 and least at pH 7.7. The swelling was reversed and cellular composition restored when tissue was re-incubated in NaCl medium. Ouabain (10(-3)M) largely prevented this recovery in volume. The results are consistent with plasma-membrane-based theories, on the assumption that membranes are much more permeable to undissociated acetic acid than they are to the acetate ion. They are inconsistent with the expectations of an alternative hypothesis (the association--induction hypothesis) which ascribes the maintenance of cellular composition to properties of cellular proteins and cellular water rather than to those of the plasma membrane. The results do not favour the suggestion that cellular swelling itself results in irreversible cellular damage. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the ouabain-inhibitable Na-K-ATPase plays a major role in the regulation of cellular volume. No alternative metabolically dependent volume regulating mechanism need be postulated to explain them.

Alterations in renal cortex cation homeostasis during mercuric chloride and gentamicin nephrotoxicity

To help better understand the role of changes in cellular cation homeostasis in the pathogenesis of renal tubular cell injury, the alterations in cation content of renal cortex and isolated renal cortical mitochondria occurring during models of nephrotoxicity secondary to gentamicin and HgCl2 were determined both during a developing phase of injury prior to the appearance of cell necrosis and after advanced injury when cell necrosis was present. At 3 hr after 5 mg/kg HgCl2 or after 4 daily doses of 100 mg/kg gentamicin, tubular cell integrity was still intact but mitochondrial functional changes were present. There were no alterations of renal cortex tissue electrolytes at this stage in the HgCl2 model but tissue K+, and more prominently, tissue Mg2+ were decreased in the gentamicin model. K+ and Mg2+ contents of isolated mitochondria were slightly reduced after HgCl2. Only K+ content was slightly reduced after gentamicin. No evidence for tissue or mitochondrial Ca2+ overload was present in either model. At 12 hr after 5 mg/kg HgCl2 or after 10 daily 100 mg/kg doses of gentamicin, widespread areas of tubular cell necrosis were present and the function of isolated mitochondria was severely compromised. Tissue electrolytes at this stage of injury in both models were characterized predominantly by a twofold increase in Na+ content and five- to sixfold increases in Ca2+. Isolated mitochondria showed marked decreases in K+ content and marked increases in content of Na+ and Ca2+. These data suggest that neither cellular and mitochondrial Ca2+ overload nor substantial changes in cellular Na+ and K+ homeostasis can be implicated in the early stages of renal tubular cell injury produced by gentamicin and HgCl2.

Partial characterization of the ouabain-insensitive, Na+-stimulated ATPase activity of kidney basal-lateral plasma membranes

The present paper characterizes the Na+-stimulated ATPase activity present in basal-lateral plasma membranes from guinea-pig kidney proximal tubular cells. These characteristics are compared with those of the (Na+ + K+)-stimulated ATPase activity, and they are: (A) Na+-ATPase activity: (1) requires Mg2+; (2) may be activated by mu molar quantities of Ca2+; (3) optimal ratio Mg:ATP = 5:1-2 and Ka for Mg:ATP = 3:0.60 mM; (4) Ka for Na+:8 mM; (5) does not require K+; (6) is only stimulated by Na+ and Li+ (in a lower extent); (7) is similarly stimulated by the Na+ salt of different anions; (8) hydrolyzes only ATP; (9) optimal temperature: 47 degrees C; (10) optimal pH: 6.9; (11) is ouabain insensitive; (12) is totally inhibited by 1.5 mM ethacrynic acid, 2 mM furosemide and 0.75 mM triflocin. (B) (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity: (1) also requires Mg2+; (2) is inhibited by Ca2+; (3) optimal ratio Mg:ATP = 1.25:1 and Ka for Mg:ATP = 0.50: 0.40 mM; (4) Ka for Na+: 14 mM (data not shown); (5) needs K+ together with Na+; (6) K+ may be substituted by: Rb+ greater than NH+4 greater than Cs+; (7) is anion insensitive; (8) hydrolyzes mostly ATP and to a lesser extent GTP, ITP, UTP, ADP, CTP; (9) optimal temperature: 52 degrees C; (10) optimal pH: 7.2; (11) 100% inhibited by 1 mM ouabain; (12) 63% inhibited by 1.5 mM ethacrynic acid, 10% inhibited by 2 mM furosemide and insensitive to 0.75 mM triflocin.

Ouabain-insensitive Na+-stimulated ATPase activity of basolateral plasma membranes from guinea-pig kidney cortex cells. II. Effect of Ca2+

The ouabain-insensitive, Mg2+-dependent, Na+-stimulated ATPase activity present in fresh basolateral plasma membranes from guinea-pig kidney cortex cells (prepared at pH 7.2) can be increased by the addition of micromolar concentrations of Ca2+ to the assay medium. The Ca2+ involved in this effect seems to be associated with the membranes in two different ways: as a labile component, which can be quickly and easily 'deactivated' by reducing the free Ca2+ concentration of the assay medium to values lower than 1 microM; and as a stable component, which can be 'deactivated' by preincubating the membranes for periods of 3-4 h with 2 mM EDTA or EGTA. Both components are easily activated by micromolar concentrations of Ca2+. The Ka of the system for Na+ is the same, 8 mM, whether only the stable component or both components, stable and labile, are working. In other words, the activating effect of Ca2+ on the Na+-stimulated ATPase is on the Vmax, and not on the Ka of the system for Na+. The activating effect of Ca2+ may be related to some conformational change produced by the interaction of this ion with the membranes, since it can also be obtained by resuspending the membranes at pH 7.8 or by ageing the preparations. Changes in the Ca2+ concentration may modulate the ouabain-insensitive, Na+-stimulated ATPase activity. This modulation could regulate the magnitude of the extrusion of Na+ accompanied by Cl- and water that these cells show, and to which the Na+-ATPase has been associated as being responsible for the energy supply of this mode of Na+ extrusion.

Intracellular potential and K+ activity in rat kidney proximal tubular cells in acidosis and K+ depletion

Techniques were developed for the measurement of intracellular potentials and potassium activities in rat proximal tubule cells using double barreled K+ liquid-ion-exchanger microelectrodes. After obtaining measurements of stable and reliable control values, the effects of K+ depletion and metabolic and respiratory acidosis on the intracellular potential and K+ activity in rat kidney proximal tubular cells were determined. At a peritubular membrane potential of -66.3 +/- 1.3 mV (mean +/- SE), intracellular K+ activity was 65.9 +/- 2.0 mEq/liter in the control rats. In metabolic acidosis [70 mg NH4Cl/100 g body wt) the peritubular membrane potential was significantly reduced to -47.5 +/- 1.9 mV, and cellular K+ activity to 53.5 +/- 2.0 mEq/liter. In contrast, in respiratory acidosis (15% CO2) the peritubular membrane potential was significantly lowered to -46.1 +/- 1.39 mV, but the cellular K+ activity was maintained at an almost unchanged level of 63.7 +/- 1.9 mEq/liter. In K+ depleted animals (6 weeks on low K+ diet), the peritubular membrane potential was significantly higher than in control animals, -74.8 +/- 2.1 mV, and cellular K+ activity was moderately but significantly reduced to 58.1 +/- 2.7 mEq/liter, Under all conditions studied, cellular K+ was above electrochemical equilibrium. Consequently, an active mechanism for cellular K+ accumulation must exist at one or both cell membranes. Furthermore, peritubular HCO3- appears to be an important factor in maintaining normal K+ distribution across the basolateral cell membrane.

Cell volume regulation in goldfish intestinal mucosa

1. Ion and water content of goldfish intestinal mucosa, stripped free from muscular layers were measured under various incubation conditions. 2. Ouabain induces an increase in cation content that is electrically compensated for by chloride. The increase in solute content is accompanied by an increase in water content. 3. When extracellular chloride is partially replaced by sulphate, ouabain does induce cell shrinkage. 4. Anoxia induces a rapid increase in cell volume that is restored by oxygenation of the incubation solution. Ouabain prevents the restoration of volume. 5. It is concluded that the classical ouabain-sensitive Na/K pump participates in the maintenance of cellular volume. We suggest that the constancy in volume after ouabain poisoning as is reported for many tissues might be due to a low chloride conductance of its membranes. 6. Anisotonic media (range: 0.6-1.2 isotonicity), made by variation on mannitol concentration, induce changes in cell water content that deviates from the simplified van't Hoff equation by about 10%. No change in water content after the initial increase was found. 7. We conclude that goldfish enterocytes do not possess a mechanism for rapid volume readjustment.

Na+-stimulated ATPase activities in kidney basal-lateral plasma membranes

In the present work we demonstrate the existence of a Na+-dependent ATPase activity, which is insensitive to ouabain, and which is 100% inhibited by 1.5 mM ethacrynic acid in freshly prepared, basal-lateral enriched, plasma-membrane fractions obtained from guinea-pig kidney cortex slices (which are mainly made up by proximal tubules). This ATPase activity has characteristics similar to those described previously in a microsomal fraction of the guinea-pig kidney cortex by a procedure which required ageing of the preparation for more than two weeks (Proverbio, F., Condrescu-Guidi, M. and Whittembury, G. (1975) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 394, 281-292), it does not seem to be due to some partially modified activity of the Mg2+-ATPase, the (Na+ + K+)- or the Ca2+-ATPase activities present in this tissue. It seems to be due to the activity of another system, which is located on the basal-lateral membrane of the kidney tubular cells.

Intracellular electrolyte composition following renal ischemia

The technique of electron microprobe analysis was used to determine the intracellular electrolyte concentrations in proximal or distal tubular cells of the rat kidney during ischemia. When the exposed kidney was maintained in air during ischemia, the composition of the surface cells differed little from control, and the electrolyte disturbances were confined to the deeper lying cells. When maintained in nitrogen, all cells underwent changes in cellular electrolyte concentrations that were uniform, indicating that the surface cells can preserve their composition during ischemia by utilizing oxygen from the air. In the proximal tubular cells, after 20 or 60 min of ischemia in nitrogen, sodium increased from 20 to 93 or 112, chloride rose from 21 to 53 or 66, potassium fell from 141 to 65 or 42, phosphate decreased from 145 to 110 or 95 mmoles.kg-1 of wet wt, and the dry wt dropped from 22.6 to 20.3 or 17.5% of wet wt, respectively. In the distal tubular cells, 20 min of ischemia in nitrogen produced little effect on cellular composition, but after 60 min, sodium increased from 11 to 77, chloride rose from 15 to 48, potassium fell from 134 to 89, phosphate decreased from 168 to 145 mmoles.kg-1 of wet wt, and the dry wt dropped from 20.8 to 18.4% of wet wt. The disturbances in sodium and potassium are caused primarily by an inhibition of the sodium/potassium pump, whereas the changes in chloride, phosphate, and dry weight content result mainly from an influx of extracellular fluid. When blood flow was reintroducing, the electrolyte disturbances were rapidly reversed in all cells, restoration being virtually complete within 60 min, but returned in some proximal cells by 18 hr of reperfusion. Thus, the disturbance in electrolyte composition increases with the duration of ischemia, is less pronounced in the distal than proximal cells and, although initially completely reversible when blood flow is restored, reappeared in the proximal cells 1 days after the initial injury.

Interaction of ouabain with the Na+ pump in intact epithelial cells

To determine the specificity and efficacy of [(3)H]ouabain binding as a quantitative measure of the Na(+) pump (Na(+), K(+)-ATPase) and as a marker for the localization of pumps involved in transepithelial Na(+)-transport, we analyzed the interaction of [(3)H]ouabain with its receptor in pig kidney epithelial (LLC-PK(1)) cells. When these epithelial cells are depleted of Na(+) and exposed to 2 muM [(3)H]ouabain in a Na(+)-free medium, binding is reduced by 90 percent. When depleted of K(+) and incubated in a K(+)- free medium, the ouabain binding rate is increase compared with that measured at 5 mM. This increase is only demonstable when Na(+) is present. The increased rate could be attributed to the predominance of the Na(+)-stimulated phosphorylated form of the pump, as K(+) is not readily available to stimulate dephosphorylation. However, some binding in the K(+)-free medium is attributable to pump turnover (and therefore, recycling of K(+)), because analysis of K(+)-washout kinetics demonstrated that addition of 2 muM ouabain to K(+)-depleted cells increased the rate of K(+) loss. These results indicate that in intact epithelial cells, unlike isolated membrane preparations, the most favorable condition for supporting ouabain binding occurs when the Na(+), K(+)-ATPase is operating in the Na(+)-pump mode or is phosphorylated in the presence of Na(+). When LLC-PK(1) cells were exposed to ouabain at 4 degrees C, binding was reduced by 97 percent. Upon rewarming, the rate of binding was greater than that obtained on cells kept at a constant 37 degrees C. However, even at this accelerated rate, the time to reach equilibrium was beyond what is required for cells, swollen by exposure to cold, to recover normal volume. Thus, results from studies that have attempted to use ouabain to eliminate the contribution of the conventional Na(+) pump to volume recovery must be reevaluated if the exposure to ouabain was done in the cold or under conditions in which the Na(+) pump is not operating.

Ouabain and regulation of cellular volume in slices of mammalian renal cortex

1. The effect of ouabain on cellular volume recovery in rabbit, guinea-pig and rat renal cortical slices was studied. A concentration of ouabain that is maximally effective in inhibiting slice potassium accumulation was determined for each species. Slices from each species were either freshly prepared and then incubated, or leached and then incubated, or preincubated in oxygenated ordinary medium (equilibrated), leached and then reincubated in media with and without this concentration of ouabain. All incubations were at 25 degrees C.2. Potassium loss produced by ouabain was greater in rabbit and guinea-pig slices than in rat slices.3. With slices that were freshly prepared and then incubated, and with slices that were leached and then incubated, cellular volume recovery was inhibited by ouabain in rabbit and guinea-pig slices, but not in rat slices.4. After equilibration, swelling during leaching was less, especially in rabbit and guinea-pig slices. However, on subsequent reincubation, significant differences in tissue water and cation contents that were consistent with inhibition of cellular volume recovery by ouabain, were seen in slices from these two species, but not in rat slices.5. Slices from all three species, when incubated with concentrations of ouabain that were maximally effective in inhibiting potassium accumulation, appeared to approach a steady-state tissue potassium content that was greatest in rat slices and least in rabbit slices. Rat slices, previously depleted of potassium, reaccumulated potassium in the presence of 10 mm-ouabain to reach this steady-state potassium content.6. Despite superficial appearance to the contrary (especially in the case of rat slices) these results are consistent with a major role for the conventional pump in controlling cortical cell volume. They do not provide evidence for the postulate that renal cortical cells possess a separate, ouabain-insensitive mechanism regulating cell volume.

The effect of lithium on electrolyte transport by the in situ choroid plexus of the cat

1. The effects of lithium on electrolyte transport were studied by using the cat choroid plexus isolated in a chamber in situ. 2. Lithium infused intravenously to produce plasma lithium concentrations up to 5 m-equiv/l. caused an increase in plasma magnesium with no effect on the concentration of magnesium in the chamber fluid. 3. When 22NaCl was infused intravenously the chamber fluid/plasma ratio of 22Na was nearly 1 in the first 30 min sample and at the steady state it was significantly greater than 1. 4. When lithium chloride (1.5 m-equiv/l.) or potassium chloride (6.6 m-equiv/l.) was added to the chamber at the start of a collection period with plasma 22Na in the steady state, the 22Na content of the chamber fluid promptly increased 118 and 68%, respectively, above the control value with no increase in secretory rate. 5. The addition of ouabain to the chamber fluid, in addition to the lithium chloride or potassium chloride, tended to stimulate or have no significant effect on 22Na uptake at a concentration of 10(-5) M and to reduce it as well as the secretory rate at 10(-3) M. 6. The date are compatible with there being two functionally separate sodium transport systems in the choroid plexus. One transports sodium accompanied by an anion and water to provide the fluid secreted into the chamber (c.s.f.) and the other operates primarily to regulate the potassium concentration of the c.s.f. by pumping potassium out in exchange for sodium. 7. Lithium can be transported by both systems to a limited extent and the presence of lithium in the c.s.f. stimulates the sodium-potassium regulating pump.

Effects of ethacrynic acid on ion transport and energy metabolism in slices of avian salt gland and of mammalian liver and kidney cortex

Ethacrynic acid greatly inhibited net transport of ions and aerobic, energy-conserving metabolism in slices of avian salt gland, rat liver, and rat and guinea-pig kidney cortex. The effects of increasing concentrations of ethacrynic acid on the transport of Na+, K+ and Cl- ran closely parallel to its effects on tissue ATP levels and respiration. The concentration needed for maximal inhibition of transport reduced ATP levels by 80--90%. Respiration was reduced by 80--90% in salt gland and kidney cortex, and by a maximum of 30% in liver slices. The effects of low concentrations of ethacrynic acid required time to become fully manifest in some tissues, and the development of transport inhibition followed a similar course to decline of respiration and ATP levels. Ca2+ extrusion by liver cells was inhibited by ethacrynic acid. The concentration dependence of the inhibition was similar to that shown by the other transport systems inhibited. There was no distinction evident between the sensitivity of Na+ extrusion and of K+ accumulation to the diuretic. Lactate production increased as respiration decreased in the presence of increasing concentrations of ethacrynic acid. We conclude that ethacrynic acid acted primarily as an inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration and ATP synthesis in the tissue slices, and that inhibition of ion transport was a nonspecific consequence of the failure of the energy supply.

Renal function and renin secretion after administration of ouabain and ouabain plus furosemide in conscious sheep

The effects of ouabain or ouabain and furosemide on renal function and renin secretion were studied in conscious isovolemic sheep. The sheep received a continuous renal arterial infusion of papaverine, 7 mg/min, throughout the experiment. Ouabain alone (7 X 10(-7) M in the renal plasma) produced significant decreases in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) but not in renal perfusion pressure. Plasma [K+] rose after ouabain administration. Fractional (FENa) and absolute (UNaV) Na+ excretion were 2.9 +/- 1.0% (mean +/- SE) and 78 +/- 54 muEq/min, respectively, during the papaverine infusion and rose to 19 +/- 5.1% (P less than 0.05) and 528 +/- 116 muEq/min (P less than 0.01) after ouabain administration. Despite the large changes in Na+ reabsorption, renin secretion was not stimulated. During the control period, renin secretion was 281 +/- 131 ng/min and the average renin secretion after ouabain administration was 310 +/- 78 ng/min (not significant). A smaller dose of ouabain (2 X 10(-7) M) infused into the renal artery with 40 mg of furosemide, iv, did not decrease GFR but RPF was suppressed. FENa and UNaV averaged 4.4 +/- 1.6% and 121 +/- 44 muEq/min, respectively, while papaverine was infused into the renal artery and increased to 18 +/- 4.8% (P less than 0.05) and 636 +/- 209 muEq/min (P less than 0.05) after ouabain and furosemide were infused. Renin secretion was 118 +/- 62 ng/min during the control period and averaged 240 +/- 67 ng/min after ouabain plus furosemide. The difference was not statistically significant. Thus ouabain alone does not stimulate renin secretion in the conscious, isovolemic sheep despite a presumed increase in [NaCl] at the macula densa and inhibition of NaCl transport by the loop of Henle. Ouabain also blocks the normal stimulatory effects of furosemide on renin secretion.

Functional distinction between two transport mechanisms in rabbit gall-bladder epithelium by use of ouabain, ethacrynic acid and metabolic inhibitors

1. Net fluid transport rate, transepithelial p.d. and resistance, and unidirectional Na+-fluxes were measured in rabbit gall-bladder preparations exposed on both sides to bicarbonate-Ringer solution in vitro. 2. Both ouabain and ethacrynic acid (ETCA) caused dose-dependent decreases of net fluid transport rate; ouabain inhibited fluid transport predominantly from the serosal side, whereas the inhibitory effect of ETCA was elicited mainly from the mucosal (luminal) side. Applied bilaterally, the ID50 for ouabain was 2.5 X 10(-6) M, and for ETCA 2.3 X 10(-4) M. After maximal inhibition at each concentration level of the two inhibitors fluid transport could not be reversed. 3. 2,4-Dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) (2 X 10(-4) M) or substitution of O2 by N2 caused an 80% reversible decrease of net fluid transport. 4. The spontaneous p.d. across the rabbit gall-bladder was about 2.7 mV, mucosal side positive. 2,4-DNP, N2 and serosal application of ouabain depressed the p.d. after an initial hyperpolarization. This decrease was reversible during recovery from 2,4-DNP and N2, but irreversible after removal of ouabain at concentrations greater than or equal to 10(-4) M. Mucosal application of ETCA (10(-3) M) caused no decrease in p.d., which actually increased slightly. 5. Calculated passive serosal-to-mucosal Na+-fluxes changed in the same direction as did changes in conductance. 6. It is concluded that ETCA does not interfere primarily with the Na-K-ATPase or cellular oxidative metabolism. The data support the proposal that the pump responsible for isosmotic transepithelial fluid transfer is located in the luminal end of the cells. This pump is ETCA-sensitive. The ATPase-dependent Na-K pump, which can be inhibited by ouabain, is localized in the serosa-facing cell membrane. The data suggest that the inhibition of net fluid transport by ouabain is indirect and mediated by changes in intracellular ion concentrations. 7. The results support the concept that the transepithelial fluid transport mechanism is electroneutral, and suggest that the mucosa positive transepithelial p.d. is due to differences in electromotive forces arising from ion (mainly K+) diffusion across the mucosal and serosal cell membranes.

Effects of ouabain and potassium-free media on cellular volume regulation in rat renal cortical slices

1. Changes in water and ion contents of rat renal cortical slices were followed over 4 hr incubation at 25 degrees C in potassium-free media and media with ouabain. Slices that lost potassium more rapidly swelled earlier. 2. Greater swelling with lower tissue potassium contents was also observed in slices preincubated and leached in potassium-depleting media and in slices incubated in lithium medium with 10 mM-ouabain and in potassium-free lithium medium with 10 mM-ouabain. 3. This swelling associated with potassium depletion was also observed when slices were incuabted in media where the substrate was malate in place of glucose. 4. No distinct fall in the oxygen consumption of potassium-depleted slices was detected during the period in which slices commenced swelling. 5. These results suggest that the swelling observed in potassium-depleted rat renal cortical slices is unlikely to be secondary to inhibition of cellular energy production.

Ouabain and regulation of cellular volume in freshly prepared slices of rabbit renal cortex

1. Changes in the water and ion contents of rabbit renal cortical slices, which had been bathed, immediately after slicing, in air-equilibrated media at room temperature ('freshly prepared slices'), were followed during subsequent incubation at 25 degrees C in oxygenated media of the same composition as the initial bathing medium. 2. In comparison with conventional 'equilibrated' slices (slices incubated at 25 degrees C in oxygenated ordinary medium immediately after slicing) these 'freshly prepared' slices had increased tissue water, sodium and chloride contents and low tissue potassium contents. 3. Control freshly prepared slices incubated at 25 degrees C in oxygenated ordinary medium recovered within 4 min to the tissue water content that is usual for rabbit renal cortical slices incubated in oxygenated ordinary medium at 25 degrees C. Freshly prepared slices incubated at 25 degrees C in oxygenated media containing 1 mM-oubain took 75 min or more to recover to this usual tissue water content. Thus the presence of 1 mM-oubain in both bathing and incubation media produced a marked inhibition of the volume recovery observed when freshly prepared slices are incubated in oxygenated media at 25 degrees C. 4. Reduction of the ouabain concentration reduced the inhibition of cell volume recovery. 5. Replacement of medium glucose by 3-O-methylglucose did not inhibit cell volume recovery in the absence of ouabain. 6. The oxygen consumptions of slices that were bathed and incubated in 1 mM-ouabain media were similar to those of slices initially bathed and incubated in ouabain-free media and then incubated in ouabain media. Thus the effect of ouabain in inhibiting cell volume recovery was unlikely to be secondary to inhibition of cellular energy production. 7. The tissue potassium content of slices incubated aerobically in 1 or 10 mM ouabin fell to an apparently stable value of approximately 100 m-mole/kg dry wt., which corresponds to a calculated concentration ratio of 10:1 across the cellular membrane, suggesting that some residual potassium uptake may still have been occurring. 8. These results indicate that in freshly prepared rabbit renal cortical slices ouabain-sensitive mechanisms play a major role in cell volume recovery. They are not in accord with the postulate that renal cortical cells possess a separate ouabain-insensitive mechanism regulating cell volume.

Pumped movements of sodium and potassium ions in the isolated epithelium of the frog skin

The action of agents with well known effects on transepithelial Na transport was tested on Na extrusion in epithelial cells of the frog skin. The cells had been previously loaded with Na by incubation in cold, K-free solutions. DNP (5 X 10(-4)M) totally inhibited Na extrusion and K uptake, while amiloride (10(-5) M) did not show any effect on either of these processes. Ouabain (10(-6)M) and absence of K from the medium inhibited completely Na extrusion and K uptake without changing cell water content. Probably the most interesting finding is that K activated Na extrusion along a sigmoid curve, which suggests that, as in other cells, the Na pump of these epithelial cells has 2 sites for K activation. The half-activation concentration of the site with highest affinity was 0.27 mM, the other 1.3 mM. Na extrusion significantly exceeded K uptake either at low K in the medium or during initial recovery in normal K Ringer. This may indicate an electrogenic mode of pump activity.

Effects of replacing medium sodium by choline, caesium, or rubidium, on water and ion contents of renal cortical slices

1. Renal cortical slices from rat, rabbit, and guinea-pig were incubated in media in which choline, caesium or rubidium replaced sodium.2. Slices of rabbit and guinea-pig renal cortex incubated in oxygenated choline Ringer decreased in volume initially and did not swell over 3 hr at 25 degrees C. There was a steady loss of potassium. Inhibition of metabolism (N(2) + 1 mM iodoacetamide) caused some swelling. Ouabain, 10 mM, in choline Ringer affected neither loss of potassium nor tissue water content.3. Slices of rat renal cortex similarly incubated in choline Ringer swelled over 3 hr at 25 degrees C whether or not metabolism was inhibited; ouabain (15 mM) affected neither tissue potassium loss nor tissue water content.4. Incubation in choline Ringer containing either 0.2 mMp-chloromercuribenzoic acid, or 1 mM ethacrynic acid increased the tissue water content of guinea-pig renal cortical slices.5. Depletion of cellular potassium (by preliminary incubation in oxygenated potassium-free sodium Ringer with 10 mM ouabain at 30 degrees C) resulted in increased tissue water content when rabbit renal cortical slices were subsequently incubated in oxygenated choline Ringer at 25 degrees C for 3 hr.6. There was no evidence of energy-dependent extrusion of water or ions from either equilibrated rat or rabbit renal cortical slices leached at 0.5 degrees C and then reincubated at 25 degrees C in choline Ringer.7. Rat and guinea-pig renal cortical slices leached at 0.5 degrees C and reincubated at 25 degrees C swelled in rubidium Ringer and in caesium Ringer. There was no evidence of energy-dependent water or ion extrusion when metabolism was restored after leaching in either of these media. Metabolizing rat slices but not guinea-pig slices swelled faster than slices whose metabolism was inhibited.8. These results lend no support to the mechano-chemical hypothesis which ascribes cellular volume regulation to a contractile mechanism squeezing isotonic extracellular fluid from the cells. Instead it is suggested that cellular water content in these experiments reflects the balance between the rate of loss of potassium (and chloride) from the cells and the rate of uptake of extracellular cation (and chloride) into the cells - these rates reflecting both the electrochemical potential gradients of the ions and membrane permeability to them. The implications in relation to the hypothesis of ouabain-insensitive cellular volume regulation are discussed.