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

Functional and morphological plasticity of crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) salt glands

The estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, inhabits both freshwater and hypersaline waterways and maintains ionic homeostasis by excreting excess sodium and chloride ions via lingual salt glands. In the present study, we sought to investigate the phenotypic plasticity, both morphological and functional, in the lingual salt glands of the estuarine crocodile associated with chronic exposure to freshwater (FW) and saltwater(SW) environments. Examination of haematological parameters indicated that there were no long-term disruptions to ionic homeostasis with prolonged exposure to SW. Maximal secretory rates from the salt glands of SW-acclimated animals (100.8±14.7 μmol 100 g–0.7 body mass h–1) were almost three times greater than those of FW-acclimated animals (31.6±6.2 μmol 100 g–0.7 body mass h–1). There were no differences in the mass-specific metabolic rate of salt gland tissue slices from FW- and SW-acclimated animals(558.9±49.6 and 527.3±142.8 μl O2g–1 h–1, respectively). Stimulation of the tissue slices from SW-acclimated animals by methacholine resulted in a 33%increase in oxygen consumption rate. There was no significant increase in the metabolic rate of tissues from FW-acclimated animals in response to methacholine. Morphologically, the secretory cells from the salt glands of SW-acclimated animals were larger than those of FW-acclimated animals. In addition, there were significantly more mitochondria per unit volume in secretory tissue from SW-acclimated animals. The results from this study demonstrate that the salt glands of C. porosus are phenotypically plastic, both morphologically and functionally and acclimate to changes in environmental salinity.

Indacrinone (MK-196)--a specific inhibitor of the voltage-dependent Cl- permeability in toad skin

The effect of indacrinone (MK-196) on Cl- transport through toad (Bufo bufo) skin epithelium was studied by the voltage clamping technique. At the transepithelial potential, V = 50 mV (serosal bath grounded) the unidirectional fluxes, governed by a Cl- self-exchange diffusion pathway, were not affected by 1 mM racemic MK-196 in the outer bath. Likewise at V = o mV, the unidirectional fluxes as well as the active (net) inward flux of Cl- were unaffected by MK-196. Voltage clamping the epithelium in the physiological range of potentials activated a Cl- specific passive conductance that saturated for V less than or equal to -90 mV. The influx and efflux of Cl- through this pathway were inhibited by MK-196, and the (passive) Cl- current was inhibited in a dose-dependent way for [MK-196] greater than or equal to 50 microM with about 70% inhibition for [MK-196] = 1 mM. The maximum Cl- conductance was decreased without shifting the position along the V-axis of the inverted S-shaped conductance-voltage relationship. The time constants for the voltage-stimulated Cl- conductance activation were not affected by MK-196 (50 microM less than or equals [MK-196] less than or equals 1 mM). The (+) and (-) isomers and racemic MK-196 affected the voltage-dependent Cl- conductance in similar ways. It is concluded that MK-196 has the properties of a Cl- channel blocker which is specific for the voltage-dependent Cl- permeability of the epithelium. The time course for development of inhibition exhibited a fast (min) and a slow (h) component.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Uptake of inorganic lead in vitro by isolated mitochondria and tissue slices of rat renal cortex

Slices of rat renal cortex were shown to take up Pb2+ during incubation in vitro; Pb2+ was also shown to enter mitochondria within the slices. The uptake of Pb2+ by isolated mitochondria was inhibited by N-3, La3+ and ruthenium red. A steady state of uptake was attained within 60 sec. The concentration dependence of uptake was complex; maximum uptake was attained at 25 microM and inhibition ensued at higher concentrations. A substantial inhibitor-resistant component of Pb2+ uptake was noted, especially at medium Pb2+ concentrations greater than 25 microM, and these concentrations also inhibited respiration state 3. The effects on respiration were reduced if the mitochondria had been preincubated with ruthenium red. Slices of renal cortex incubated at 1 degree in medium with various concentrations of Pb2+ showed two fractions of uptake, one saturating at 50-100 microM external Pb2+ and the other at 150-200 microM. Subsequent incubation for 60 min at 25 degrees led to further uptake at all concentrations. Upon isolation of mitochondria from incubated slices, significant amounts of Pb2+ were detected in the mitochondria within 5 min of addition of Pb2+ (200 microM), with maximum attained at 30 min. Electron microscopy of slices showed electron-dense particles, apparently of Pb2+, in the cortical cells but the greatest concentration was deposited in the basement membranes. The results indicate the importance of the basement membrane in limiting access of Pb2+ to cortical cells, and of mitochondria in accumulating Pb2+ once it is in the cells. They also illustrate the importance of interactions between Pb2+ and Ca2+.

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.

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 Pb2+ added in vitro on Ca2+ movements in isolated mitochondria and slices of rat kidney cortex

We have studied the effects of Pb2+ added in vitro on the movements of Ca2+ in renal cortical mitochondria and tissue slices. The isolated mitochondria rapidly accumulated 45Ca2+ at 25 degrees by a mechanism that was dependent on respiration and inhibited 96% by ruthenium red. A concentration of 10 microM Pb2+ inhibited the Ca2+ accumulation at least as effectively as did ruthenium red. About 20% of the Ca2+ accumulation persisted at 1 degrees with a similar sensitivity to inhibitors, including 60% inhibition by Pb2+. Similar results were obtained when the accumulation of Ca2+ at 25 degrees was measured by means of a calcium-sensitive electrode, Pb2+ inhibiting by 80%. Calcium that had been accumulated by mitochondria at 25 degrees was released completely by the ionophore A23187 or by 10 microM Pb2+. The release induced by Pb2+ was greatly inhibited by ruthenium red. The Ca2+ content of tissue slices of renal cortex increased 4-fold during incubation at 1 degree while the Ca2+ content of mitochondria within the slices more than doubled, the latter being determined by isolation of mitochondria from the slices after incubation. The presence of Pb2+ (200 microM) in the incubation medium of the slices substantially reduced the entry of Ca2+ into the whole slices and into mitochondria within the slices. When the slices preincubated at 1 degree were warmed to 25 degrees in oxygenated medium, they brought about a net extrusion of Ca2+, some of which was derived from the mitochondria; Pb2+ did not alter the final level of Ca2+ then attained in the slices, but it caused a significant decrease in the quantity retained in the mitochondria. We conclude that Pb2+ both inhibits the uptake of Ca2+ by renal cortical mitochondria and displaces Ca2+ from them, these effects occurring whether the mitochondria are isolated or in situ.

Structure side-effect sorting of drugs. VI. Ototoxicities

From a literature survey, over 130 (about 7.8%) drugs and chemicals have been associated with ototoxicities. The major classes are basic aminoglycoside and other antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antimalarials, beta-blockers, antineoplastic agents, heavy metals, diuretics, some topical agents and various miscellaneous drugs. Possible mechanisms of action are presented and discussed. These include inhibition of protein synthesis, the glycolytic cycle, the TCA cycle, energy utilization, energy generation and the respiratory system within the mitochondria membrane of the hair cell, and also alteration of the permeability of the endolymphatic membrane or alteration of the excretion system for the basic aminoglycosides in the lateral wall of the membranous cochlea. The relative rank order of ototoxicity and reactivity toward mucopolysaccharides of five aminoglycosides is found to be related to the number of basic groups in each molecule.

Inhibition of some polymorphonuclear leukocyte functions by ethacrynic acid

Ethacrynic acid (10(-4) M) inhibits exocytosis, phagocytosis and superoxide release in rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN's). Dihydroethacrynic acid is a much weaker inhibitor of these PMN functions. Though ethacrynic acid inhibits ATPase activity in the PMN, this occur at much higher concentrations than required for inhibition of exocytosis and superoxide release, thus a causal relationship seems unlikely. The same applies to inhibition of ATP generation by ethacrynic acid: the concentration required to decrease ATP level in PMN's is much higher than required for the inhibitory effect on exocytosis. Inhibition of exocytosis by ethacrynic acid can be prevented by dithiothreitol. It is concluded that vulnerable sulfhydryl groups are involved in the inhibition by ethacrynic acid.

Ions and energy metabolism in duck salt-gland: possible role of furosemide-sensitive co-transport of sodium and chloride

1. The effects of methacholine on net ionic movements and energy metabolism of the avian salt-gland have been studied, using slices of glands taken from salt-adapted Pekin ducks. The slices were equilibrated with media and drugs for 120 min at 1 degrees C before the experimental incubation at 38 degrees C.2. During incubation at 38 degrees C the slices accumulated K(+) and lost Na(+) and Cl(-). In the presence of methacholine, they retained more Na(+) and Cl(-) and accumulated less K(+), the maximal effects being given by 0.5-1.0 mM-methacholine. Similar results were obtained whether the medium contained 10 mM-Tris (used in most experiments) or 25 mM-HCO(3) (-) as the major buffer.3. The higher final levels of cell Na(+) and Cl(-) induced by methacholine were not seen when furosemide (1 mM) was also present. Methacholine did not induce a higher level of cell Na(+) when medium Cl(-) was replaced by I(-), NO(3) (-) or SO(4) (2-), and did not induce a higher Cl(-) content when medium Na(+) was replaced by choline or Li(+). The fall of K(+) accumulation caused by methacholine was also prevented by furosemide or by replacing Cl(-) in the medium with other anions. The anion-transport inhibitors, SCN(-) (up to 10 mM) and 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulphonic acid stilbene (DIDS) (up to 2 mM) did not prevent the effects of methacholine.4. Methacholine stimulated respiration and lowered the slice ATP contents, and these effects were both prevented by ouabain or furosemide. Ouabain, but not furosemide, also reduced the basal (i.e. in the absence of methacholine) rate of respiration and raised the ATP level. SCN(-) and DIDS had no effect on basal or stimulated respiration or on ATP contents.5. The respiratory stimulation and fall of ATP induced by methacholine were totally prevented if medium Na(+) was replaced by choline. Replacement of Na(+) by Li(+) caused some stimulation of basal respiration; it also permitted some loss of ATP in the presence of methacholine, but the loss was smaller than that seen in the normal Na(+) medium.6. The respiratory stimulation and fall of ATP induced by methacholine were prevented if medium Cl(-) was replaced by SO(4) (2-). The effects of methacholine were partially blocked when NO(3) (-) replaced Cl(-).7. The results are consistent with the stimulation by methacholine of a furosemide-sensitive, coupled entry of Na(+) and Cl(-) into the cells, associated with a loss of K(+). This would result in a stimulation of Na(+) extrusion by the ouabain-sensitive transport system for Na(+) and K(+) with increased consumption of ATP.

The role of plasma membrane Ca++-Mg++ activated adenosine triphosphatase of rat mast cells on histamine release

The role of a Ca++-MG++ activated ATPase, demonstrated on the outer surface of rat peritoneal mast cells, on histamine release induced by antigen (anaphylactic reaction), compound 48/80 and ionophore A23187 has been studied. A high level of the enzyme activity is retained at the optimal pH for histamine release induced by the three releasing agents. The effect of fourteen inhibitors of ATPase has been studied, viz. quinidine, fluoride, platinum salt, suramin, ethacrynic acid, ethyl alcohol, N-ethylmaleimide, Mn++, Ni++, ADP, AMP and the flavones: kaempferol, quercetin, morin. All the inhibitors, which caused varying degrees of inhibition of ATPase, also inhibited histamine release. The inhibition of the enzyme was competitive with ADP, AMP, ethacrynic acid, suramin and morin and non-competitive with the others. The degree of inhibition of ATPase and of histamine release tended to be similar with six inhibitors. With the others the extent of the inhibition of the release and of the enzyme varied. But a marked inhibition of the enzyme was always associated with a pronounced inhibition of histamine release. ATP in lower concentrations (10-20 microM) has been shown to potentiate histamine release induced by all the three releasers, possibly through its utilization by plasma membrane ATPase. The observations agree with the hypothesis that plasma membrane ATPase participates in the histamine release process.

Dissociation of avian salt gland: separation procedures and characterization of dissociated cells

A procedure for dissociation of the nasal salt glands of the domestic duck, Anas platyrhynchos, into suspensions of individual cells has been developed. This technique employs enzymatic digestion with collagenase, hyaluronidase, and chymotrypsin; divalent cation chelation with EDTA; and gentle mechanical dispersion. Average cellular yields of 39 and 26% based on DNA recovered were obtained from the glands of freshwater- and saline-adapted ducks, respectively. Epithelial secretory cells comprised 60-80% of the cell suspensions with the remainder of the populations consisting of endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and blood cells. The dissociated cells were viable as judged by trypan blue exclusion (80-100%, maintenance of ultrastructural integrity, and retention of responsiveness to secretagogues and metabolic inhibitors. Methacholine chloride (0.5 mM) stimulated oxygen consumption by suspensions of both freshwater- and saline-adapted cells, whereas ouabain (0.05 mM) abolished the methacholine-stimulated respiratory response. These cell suspensions provide a promising system for the in vitro study of secretory mechanisms in the avian salt gland.

The nature of the ototoxic actions of ethacrynic acid upon the mammalian endolymph system. I. Functional aspects

The endolymphatic changes produced by an intravenous injection of 60 mg kg-1 ethacrynic acid were followed for up to 120 min using conventional and ion-sensitive (Na+, K+ and pH) microelectrodes in the rat. They were found to be caused by three distinct effects upon the endolymph system. Initially, the drug completely inhibited the strial potential-producing and cation-transporting processes. Recovery began quickly and was rapid at first. Then its rate declined considerably, probably due to diminution in strial energy production of delayed onset and prolonged duration. Coincident with these actions upon active transport, there was a decrease in the overall cation permeability of the endolymph system. This followed a different time course and affected K+ much more than Na+. The findings also provided further information about the mechanisms responsible for the normal endolymphatic composition. Qualitatively similar results were obtained in a subsidiary study on guinea pigs.

Effects of ethacrynic acid on electrolyte and fluid transport by the guinea pig gallbladder

The effect of ethacrynic acid on fluid and electrolyte transport by the guinea pig gallbladder was investigated in vitro. 10-4M ethacrynic acid, applied to the serosal side, inhibited fluid and sodium chloride absorption. The reduction in salt absorption was accounted for by a 3 muEq/cm2h decrease in the unidirectional fluxes of Na and Cl from mucosa to serosa with no change in the fluxes from serosa to mucosa. Ethacrynic acid (10-4 M) had no effect on HCO3 - Cl exchange, PGE1-induced fluid secretion and inulin permeability. At 10-3 M, ethacrynic acid markedly increased both the serosa to mucosa fluxes of Na and Cl, and the inulin permeability. Examination by light and electron microscopy of gallbladder tissue treated with 10-3 M ethacrynic acid revealed large intracellular vacuoles and occasionally ruptured apical cell membranes. Only slight morphological changes were seen by 10-4 M ethacrynic acid with no changes in the controls and ouabain treated gallbladders. The effects of ethacrynic acid are remarkably different from those of furosemide which has been previously shown to inhibit only the HCO3 secretion leaving fluid and NaCl absorption unchanged.