Functional profile of the isolated uremic nephron: intrinsic adaptation of phosphate transport in the rabbit proximal tubule

Increased sodium transport by cortical collecting tubules from remnant kidneys

To determine whether intrinsic changes in cortical collecting tubule (CCT) transport contribute to the maintenance of sodium and acid-base balance after loss of renal mass, we studied transport functions in isolated perfused CCT from rabbit remnant kidneys. The rabbits were sacrificed three weeks after surgical reduction of renal mass (by 3/4 to 7/8) at which time they were mildly azotemic but had no systemic electrolyte or acid-base disturbances. When perfused by standard methods in vitro, CCT from remnant kidneys exhibited sodium transport rates (lumen-to-bath 22Na-flux) approximately twice as high as those in CCT from control animals (111 +/- 19 vs. 54 +/- 7 pmol/min mm, P less than 0.02). A similar difference was present in the ouabain-sensitive sodium fluxes (81 +/- 16 vs. 39 +/- 8 pmol/min mm, P less than 0.05). In contrast, there were no significant differences in net bicarbonate transport. Significant hypertrophy of the remnant kidney CCT was reflected by 30 to 45% increases in tubule diameters. To examine the possible role of differences in food intake, we studied a separate group of weight-matched, pair-fed sham-operated and remnant kidney rabbits. Similar differences in total and ouabain-sensitive 22Na-flux, and in tubule size persisted in the pair-fed animals. A dissociation between active sodium transport and tubule hypertrophy was documented in the outer medullary collecting tubule: despite the lack of active sodium transport, hypertrophy was present. Our studies show that loss of renal mass results in a selective augmentation of certain transport processes in the CCT, implying selective or specific signals and mechanisms.

The inhibition of parathyroid-hormone actions on gluconeogenesis and phosphate transport by 3-mercaptopicolinate in rabbit renal proximal tubules

By using a glucose microassay and the technique for isolated renal-tubule perfusion in vitro, the addition of 3-mercaptopicolinate, a gluconeogenesis inhibitor which inhibits phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase specifically, was found to abolish the effects of parathyroid hormone on gluconeogenesis and phosphate-transport rate in isolated rabbit renal proximal straight tubules, suggesting that these parathyroid-hormone actions may share some unknown, yet 3-mercaptopicolinate-inhibitable, intracellular processes.

Structural adaptation in initial collecting tubule following reduction in renal mass

Tubular function studies have shown that nephrectomy leads to a sharp increase in potassium secretion by initial collecting tubules. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between potassium transport and the cellular morphology of the distal nephron. Clearance and ultrastructural studies were conducted in rats 10 days after 75% nephrectomy. Fractional urinary potassium excretion increased from 23.4 +/- 3.8% in controls to 63.9 +/- 10.1% in nephrectomized animals. Stereological analysis of principal cells in the initial collecting tubule revealed that following nephrectomy the surface density of the basolateral membrane increased from 2.32 +/- 0.12 to 4.11 +/- 0.20 micron2/micron3. While the basolateral membrane surface density of intercalated cells in this segment was not affected by nephrectomy, the luminal membrane surface density increased from 0.29 +/- 0.03 to 0.54 +/- 0.08 micron2/micron3. Ultrastructural changes were not observed in cells of the distal convoluted tubule. These observations demonstrate that cell type specific changes in membrane surface density accompany the adaptive increase in ion transport that occurs with a reduction in renal mass. The enhanced potassium excretion associated with nephrectomy may be partly mediated by a specific increase in the basolateral membrane of principal cells. The increase in luminal membrane of intercalated cells may be related to the increase in acid transport per surviving nephron following nephrectomy.

Prostaglandin E2 and parathyroid hormone: comparisons of their actions on the rabbit proximal tubule

Recent studies demonstrated that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) participates in the regulation of glomerular and distal tubular function. A functional role for PGE2 on the proximal tubule has only recently been explored. Thus, we reported that PGE2 antagonizes the phosphaturic effect of PTH in the dog, which suggests that PGE2 may influence the transport functions of the mammalian proximal tubule. The present studies were designed to examine the direct effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PGE2 on the fluxes of fluid (Jv) and phosphate (Jl-b PO4) in the rabbit proximal convoluted and straight tubules (PCT and PST). The activation of adenylate cyclase by the two agents was also examined. Finally, the combined effects of PTH and PGE2 on Jv and Jl-b PO4 were also studied in the PST. In the PCT, PTH (1 microgram/ml) inhibited Jv by 31% (P less than 0.05) but did not alter Jl-b PO4. PGE2 (10(-5) M) failed to act on either Jv or Jl-b PO4. In this segment, PTH stimulated adenylate cyclase but PGE2 did not. In the PST, PTH (1 microgram/ml) inhibited Jv and Jl-b PO4 by 34 and 20%, respectively (P less than 0.01). PGE2 (10(-5) M) also inhibited Jv and Jl-b PO4, by 33 and 12%, respectively (P less than 0.02). In contrast, PGF2 alpha, a related prostanoid, failed to influence these transport parameters. In the PST, PTH activated adenylate cyclase but PGE2 failed to do so. When both PTH (1 microgram/ml) and PGE2 (10(-7) M) were present simultaneously, Jv and Jl-b PO4 were comparable to that seen during control collections.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Dissociation of gluconeogenesis from fluid and phosphate reabsorption in isolated rabbit proximal tubules

Gluconeogenesis in the kidney is a metabolic function characteristic of proximal tubules. Recent studies suggest that renal gluconeogenesis (GNG) may in some way be coupled to fluid and phosphate reabsorption in the proximal tubule. Therefore, the present studies examined more directly the relationship between GNG and transport of fluid and phosphate using isolated proximal straight tubules of rabbit kidney. Glucose production rates were determined in isolated tubules with a glucose microassay while both phosphate (Jp) and net fluid fluxes (Jv) were measured by the in vitro isolated tubule perfusion technique. Glucose production rates from individual substrates, including pyruvate, lactate, glutamate and alpha-ketoglutarate, differed significantly, but neither Jv nor Jp was altered when different substrates in the bath medium were used. Inhibition of GNG by 3-mercaptopicolinate did not alter the Jv or Jp. Acid pH (7.0) stimulated GNG and suppressed both Jv and Jp. The addition of 3-mercaptopicolinate at acid pH abolished the stimulatory effect of acid pH on GNG but had no effect on Jv or Jp. These data thus indicate that, in the isolated rabbit renal proximal tubule, GNG rates can be dissociated from both the Jv and Jp and suggest that renal GNG may not directly regulate the fluid and phosphate transport rates in the proximal straight tubule.