Effect of intratubular substitution of Na+ and Cl- ions on the operation of the tubuloglomerular feedback

Relationship between tubulo-glomerular feedback responses and perfusate hypotonicity

Previous studies have established that during orthograde perfusion from a late proximal tubule site, there is a direct relationship between the magnitude of the feedback response and the level of distal tubular fluid sodium chloride concentration. The present study was conducted in the rat to extend this observation by assessing stop flow pressure (SFP) feedback responses during retrograde perfusion into the early distal tubule with solutions varying in total solute concentration and in the anionic constituent. SFP was measured after blockade of the intermediate proximal and late distal tubular segments with wax. Retrograde perfusion was initiated from an early distal tubular site at 15 nl/min. All solutions contained a 38 mOsm/kg matrix base, and the total solute concentration was increased with either sodium chloride or sodium isethionate to achieve osmolalities of 68, 85, and 120 mOsm/kg. For comparison, feedback responses during perfusion with a 120 mOsm/kg choline chloride solution were evaluated. During perfusion with the 120 mOsm/kg solutions, SFP decreased by 13 +/- 1.3 mm Hg with the sodium chloride solution, 12 +/- 1.5 mm Hg with the sodium isethionate solution, and 12 +/- 1.3 mm Hg with the choline chloride solution. During perfusion with solutions having an osmolality of 85 mOsm/kg, SFP decreased by 8 +/- 1.3 mm Hg with sodium chloride and 8 +/- 0.8 mm Hg with sodium isethionate. The 68 mOsm/kg solutions elicited decreases in SFP of 4.4 +/- 0.4 mm Hg and 5 +/- 0.5 mm Hg. During perfusion with the 38 mOsm/kg matrix solution, SFP decreased by an average of 1.4 +/- 0.9 mm Hg. Linear regression analysis revealed a 1 mm Hg decrease in SFP for every 7.7 mOsm/kg decrease in perfusate osmolality below 120 mOsm/kg. These results confirm previous findings that the magnitude of the feedback response is associated closely with the concentration of the perfusate over a narrow range from 38 to 120 mOsm/kg. Since the responses with sodium isethionate solutions were similar to the responses obtained with sodium chloride containing solutions, these studies provide evidence that the magnitude of the feedback responses are not specifically dependent on alterations in chloride concentration.

Further evidence for an inverse relationship between macula densa NaCl concentration and filtration rate

It has been concluded that tubulo-glomerular feedback mechanism is triggered by changes in NaCl concentration ([NaCl]) at the macula densa. This conclusion is based on the demonstration that changes in filtration rate produced during retrograde perfusion of the loop of Henle depend upon the perfusate [NaCl]. Experiments were performed to evaluate whether the effect on glomerular function of orthograde perfusion of the loop of Henle is consistent with this conclusion. Early proximal flow rate (VEP), stop-flow pressure (PSF), early distal chloride concentration ([C]), and flow rate were measured during perfusion of the loop of Henle with mannitol solution (300 mosm kg-1), 30mM NaCl + mannitol (300 mosm kg-1), 140 mM Na isethionate and artificial tubular fluid. When distal flow exceeded 10 nl min-1, the magnitude of the glomerular response was predictable from the [Cl]. The linear regression line, delta VEP = -0.27 [Cl] + 4.3, did not differ from that obtained previously with the retrograde technique. Retrograde perfusion with 140 mM Na isethionate was without effect on VEP. We conclude that the effect on glomerular function of perfusion of the loop of Henle in either an orthograde or a retrograde direction with these solutions depends upon the chloride concentration at the macula densa.