Drosophila ClC-c Is a Homolog of Human CLC-5 and a New Model for Dent Disease Type 1

Key Points

Drosophila can be a model for Dent Disease type 1. Drosophila Clc-C mutations function similar to human CLC-5 Dent 1 mutations.

Background

Drosophila serve as exceptional alternative models for in vivo and ex vivo research and may provide an avenue for in-depth investigation for human ClC-5 and Dent disease type 1 (DD1). The Drosophila ClC-c (CG5284) has sequence homology with human ClC-5 and is hypothesized to encompass similar functional and phenotypical roles with ClC-5 and variants that cause DD1.

Methods

Ion transport function and activity of Drosophila ClC-c and homologous DD1 variants were assessed by voltage clamp electrophysiology. Membrane localization was demonstrated in Drosophila expressing a GFP-labeled construct of ClC-c. Genetic expression of an RNAi against ClC-c mRNA was used to generate a knockdown fly that serves as a DD1 disease model. Tubule secretion of cations and protein were assessed, as well as the crystal formation in the Malpighian tubules.

Results

Voltage clamp experiments demonstrate that ClC-c is voltage-gated with Cl−-dependent and pH-sensitive currents. Inclusion of homologous DD1 mutations pathogenic variants (S393L, R494W, and Q777X) impairs ClC-c ion transport activity. In vivo expression of ClC-c-eGFP in Malpighian tubules reveals that the membrane transporter localizes to the apical membrane and nearby cytosolic regions. RNAi knockdown of ClC-c (48% decreased mRNA expression) causes increased secretion of both urinary protein and Ca2+ and increased occurrence of spontaneous tubule crystals.

Conclusions

Drosophila ClC-c shows orthologous function and localization to human ClC-5. Thus, Drosophila and ClC-c regulation may be useful for future investigations of Cl− transport, Ca2+ homeostasis, and urinary protein loss in DD1.

Sequence analysis and function of mosquito aeCCC2 and Drosophila Ncc83 orthologs

Dipteran insects have genes that code for two different Na⁺-dependent cation-chloride cotransporter (CCC) paralogs. Aedes aegypti aeNKCC1 is an ortholog of Drosophila melanogaster Ncc69, a bumetanide-sensitive Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl^- cotransporter (NKCC). Aedes aegypti aeCCC2 and aeCCC3 are orthologs of Drosophila Ncc83. Prior work suggests that the transport properties of aeCCC2 differ from canonical NKCCs. In particular, Xenopus oocytes expressing aeCCC2 have increased Na⁺-dependent membrane currents compared to controls, whereas NKCCs are electroneutral. Here, we further evaluated the function and localization of aeCCC2 and Ncc83. In oocytes expressing aeCCC2 or Ncc83, membrane potential (V_m) hyperpolarized upon Na⁺ removal; following hypotonic exposure the change in V_m was greater than it was in controls. In voltage-clamp experiments, membrane currents were concentration dependent on Na⁺ with an apparent affinity (K_m) of approximately 4.6 mM. In Malpighian tubules of larval and adult mosquitoes, aeCCC2 was localized along the basolateral aspect of principal cells. Sequence comparisons among transporters from Drosophila, Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex revealed 33 residues within the transmembrane domains (TMDs) that are fully conserved within paralogs but that differ between orthologs of NKCC1 and orthologs of aeCCC2/Ncc83. These residues are distributed across all 12 TMDs. Our results provide a foundation for further exploration of the structural basis for functional differences between insect Na⁺-dependent CCCs.

Differential expression of putative sodium-dependent cation-chloride cotransporters in Aedes aegypti

The yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, has three genes that code for proteins with sequence similarity to vertebrate Na⁺-K⁺-Cl^- cotransporters (NKCCs) of the solute-linked carrier 12 superfamily of cation-chloride cotransporters (CCCs). We hypothesized that these mosquito NKCC orthologues have diverged to perform distinct roles in salt secretion and absorption. In phylogenetic analyses, one protein (aeNKCC1) groups with a Drosophila melanogaster NKCC that mediates salt secretion whereas two others (aeCCC2 and aeCCC3) group with a Drosophila transporter that is not functionally characterized. The aeCCC2 and aeCCC3 genes probably result from a tandem gene duplication in the mosquito lineage; they have similar exon structures and are consecutive in genomic DNA. Predicted aeCCC2 and aeCCC3 proteins differ from aeNKCC1 and vertebrate NKCCs in residues from the third transmembrane domain known to influence ion and inhibitor binding. Quantitative PCR revealed that aeNKCC1 and aeCCC2 were approximately equally expressed in larvae and adults, whereas aeCCC3 was approximately 100-fold more abundant in larvae than in adults. In larval tissues, aeCCC2 was approximately 2-fold more abundant in Malpighian tubules compared to anal papillae. In contrast, aeCCC3 was nearly 100-fold more abundant in larval anal papillae compared to Malpighian tubules, suggesting a role in absorption. Western blots with polyclonal antibodies against isoform-specific peptides revealed stronger aeCCC2 immunoreactivity in adults versus larvae, whereas aeCCC3 immunoreactivity was stronger in larvae versus adults. The differential expression pattern of aeCCC2 and aeCCC3, and their sequence divergence in transmembrane domains, suggests that they may have different roles in transepithelial salt transport.

Cloning and characterization of a calmodulin gene (CaM) in crayfish Procambarus clarkii and expression during molting

Calmodulin (CaM) is a highly conserved calcium (Ca(2+)) binding protein that transduces Ca(2+) signals into downstream effects influencing a range of cellular processes, including Ca(2+) homeostasis. The present study explores CaM expression when Ca(2+) homeostasis is challenged during the mineralization cycle of the freshwater crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). In this paper we report the cloning of a CaM gene from axial abdominal crayfish muscle (referred to as pcCaM). The pcCaM mRNA is ubiquitously expressed but is far more abundant in excitable tissue (muscle, nerve) than in any epithelia (gill, antennal gland, digestive) suggesting that it plays a greater role in the biology of excitation than in epithelial ion transport. In muscle cells the pcCaM was colocalized on the plasma membrane with the Ca(2+) ATPase (PMCA) known to regulate intracellular Ca(2+) through basolateral efflux. While PMCA exhibits a greater upregulation in epithelia (than in non-epithelial tissues) during molting stages requiring transcellular Ca(2+) flux (pre- and postmolt compared with intermolt), expression of pcCaM exhibited a uniform increase in epithelial and non-epithelial tissues alike. The common increase in expression of CaM in all tissues during pre- and postmolt stages (compared with intermolt) suggests that the upregulation is systemically (hormonally) mediated. Colocalization of CaM with PMCA confirms physiological findings that their regulation is linked.

Elongation factor 1Bgamma (eEF1Bgamma) expression during the molting cycle and cold acclimation in the crayfish Procambarus clarkii

Eukaryotic elongation factor 1Bgamma (eEF1Bgamma) is a subunit of elongation factor 1 (EF1), which regulates the recruitment of amino acyl-tRNAs to the ribosome during protein synthesis in eukaryotes. In addition to structural roles within eEF1, eEF1Bgamma has properties which suggest sensory or regulatory activities. We have cloned eEF1Bgamma from axial abdominal muscle of freshwater crayfish, Procambarus clarkii. The predicted amino acid sequence has 66% identity to Locusta migratoria eEF1Bgamma and 65% identity to Artemia salina eEF1Bgamma. We measured eEF1Bgamma expression by real-time PCR, using the relative quantification method with 18s ribosomal RNA as an internal calibrator. eEF1Bgamma expression was lowest in gill, axial abdominal muscle, and hepatopancreas, and was highest in the antennal gland (5.7-fold above hepatopancreas) and cardiac muscle (7.8-fold above hepatopancreas). In axial abdominal muscle, eEF1Bgamma expression was 4.4-fold higher in premolt and 11.9 higher in postmolt compared to intermolt. In contrast, eEF1Bgamma was decreased or unchanged in epithelial tissues during pre- and postmolt. eEF1Bgamma expression in the hepatopancreas was 3.5-fold higher during intermolt compared to premolt and was unchanged in gill and antennal gland. No significant differences in eEF1Bgamma were found after 1 week of acclimation to 4 degrees C. These results show that eEF1Bgamma is regulated at the mRNA level with tissue-specific differences in expression patterns.

Paradox of epithelial cell calcium homeostasis during vectorial transfer in crayfish kidney

The molting cycle of the freshwater crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, has been used as a model to study the cellular physiology and molecular biology of Ca "supply" proteins that effect transcellular vectorial Ca(2+) movement to achieve organismal Ca homeostasis. Specifically, periods of net Ca(2+) influx (postmolt) have been compared with periods of net Ca(2+) balance (intermolt). The broader goal is to understand the paradox facing epithelial cells of maintaining low cytosolic Ca(2+)in the face of mass Ca(2+)transit across epithelial cells. This mini-review compares mRNA and protein expression profiles for a series of proteins that are of strategic importance in effecting transcellular Ca(2+) flux in a selected epithelium, the antennal gland (kidney analog) specifically during apical to basolateral Ca(2+) conveyance. Target proteins were selected as representative of key "stages" in the transcellular transfer of Ca(2+): import (epithelial Ca(2+) channel, ECaC); storage (sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase, SERCA); buffering (sarcoplasmic Ca(2+) binding protein, SCP); and export (plasma membrane Ca(2+) ATPase, PMCA and Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger, NCX). The purpose of this review is to assess coordination of expression of these target proteins at times of high Ca(2+) demand (premolt and postmolt) compared to low Ca demand (intermolt) as a function of cellular location (apical vs. basolateral; endomembranes vs. plasma membranes) and relative abundance within different regions of the antennal gland. Understanding the spatiotemporal regulation of Ca(2+) handling proteins involved in transcellular transport is fundamental to investigating their endocrine regulation.

Molecular characterization of the sarcoplasmic calcium-binding protein (SCP) from crayfish Procambarus clarkii

Sarcoplasmic Calcium-binding Protein (SCP) is believed to function as the invertebrate equivalent of vertebrate parvalbumin, namely to "buffer" cytosolic Ca2+. We have cloned and characterized a novel SCP from axial abdominal muscle of crayfish Procambarus clarkii (referred to as pcSCP1), and have examined tissue specific distribution and expression as a function of molting stage in non-epithelial and epithelial tissues. The complete sequence of pcSCP1 consists of 1,052 bp with a 579 bp open reading frame, coding for 193 amino acid residues (molecular mass of 21.8 kDa). There is a 387 bp 3' terminal non-coding region with a poly (A) tail. The deduced pcSCP1 protein sequence matched most closely with published SCP sequences from another crayfish Astacus leptodactylus (92.8%) and from shrimp (78.6-81.2%) and fruit fly (53%). Real-time PCR analysis confirmed that pcSCP1 is ubiquitously expressed in all tissues tested (gill, hepatopancreas, intestine, antennal gland, muscle); however it is most abundant in muscle particularly in the axial abdominal muscle. The real-time PCR analysis revealed that pcSCP1 expression is downregulated in pre- and postmolt stages compared with intermolt. Epithelial (hepatopancreas and antennal gland) SCP expression exhibited a more dramatic decrease than that observed in muscle. Expression trends for pcSCP1 paralleled published trends for sarco/endoplasmic reticular calcium ATPase (SERCA), suggesting that their cellular function in regulating intracellular Ca2+ is linked.

The cation-chloride cotransporter, masBSC, is widely expressed in Manduca sexta tissues

Cation-chloride cotransporters, including the Na-K-Cl cotransporter, play an important role in epithelial ion transport in insects. We have determined the tissue distribution of Manduca sexta bumetanide sensitive cotransporter (masBSC), a putative Na-K-Cl cotransporter that was originally cloned from M. sexta Malpighian tubules. We developed a polyclonal antibody (M6) against a C-terminal fragment of masBSC. masBSC protein was detected by M6 at an apparent molecular mass of approximately 220kDa in M. sexta foregut, midgut, hindgut, Malpighian tubule, salivary gland, fat body, trachea, and nerve cord. Higher expression was observed in the foregut than in other tissues. M6 stained the apical membrane of midgut epithelial cells in cross-sections of third instar larvae. The transcript of masBSC was detected by RT-PCR in midgut, Malpighian tubule, hindgut, trachea, nerve cord, and fat bodies. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that masBSC is widely expressed in M. sexta. While the specific function of masBSC remains unknown, the wide distribution indicates a role of masBSC in a broad range of tissues.

Criticism and interpretation: teaching the persuasive aspects of research articles

Research articles are an excellent tool for promoting active learning about the scientific process. One difficulty in teaching research articles is that they address a professional audience and often seek to be persuasive as well as informative. This essay discusses pedagogical strategies that are intended to help students differentiate the purely informative aspects of research articles, such as descriptions of the methods and results, from the persuasive aspects, such as interpretation of results and critical evaluation of the work of other scientists.

An online tutorial for helping nonscience majors read primary research literature in biology

Using primary literature is an effective tool for promoting active learning and critical thinking in science classes. However, it can be challenging to use primary literature in large classes and in classes for nonscience majors. We describe the development and implementation of an online tutorial for helping nonscience majors learn to read primary literature in biology. The tutorial includes content about the scientific process and the structure of scientific papers and provides opportunities for students to practice reading primary literature. We describe the use of the tutorial in Biology of Exercise, a course for nonscience majors. Students used the tutorial outside of class to learn the basic principles involved in reading scientific papers, enabling class sessions to focus on active-learning activities and substantive class discussions.

Reduced blood-to-tissue albumin movement after plasmapheresis

We tested the hypothesis that a decrease in the blood-to-tissue movement of albumin contributes to the recovery of plasma albumin and plasma volume after acute plasma protein depletion (plasmapheresis). Awake and unrestrained male Sprague-Dawley rats (220-320 g) fitted with jugular catheters were plasmapheresed, and plasma volume, plasma albumin, and total plasma protein content were measured at 1, 5, 24, and 48 h postplasmapheresis. Plasma volume recovered to baseline within 1 h (4.6 +/- 0.42 vs. 4.7 +/- 0.46 mL/100 g body weight (bw), remained at baseline from 5 h to 24 h but increased to 5.5 + 0.57 mL/100 g bw at 48 h (P < 0.05). Plasma albumin and total protein content recovered rapidly but remained below baseline levels at 1 h (10.05 +/- 0.98 vs. 12.33 +/- 1.29 and 19.75 +/- 1.75 vs. 24.73 +/- 2.56 mg/100 g bw, respectively). Plasma protein content retumed to baseline by 5 h of recovery. Tissue uptake of I125-labeled albumin decreased in the heart, skin, skeletal muscle, and small Intestines of plasmapheresed rats (P < 0.05). These data support the hypothesis that a reduction in albumin efflux from the vascular space contrlbutes to the recovery of plasma albumin and total protein content during plasma volume recovery and eventual expansion after plasmapheresis.

Rubidium uptake is increased in shore crabs, Carcinus maenas, acclimated to dilute seawater

In dilute seawater, Carcinus maenas hyperosmoregulates by actively absorbing Na, K, and Cl. Here we characterize K uptake using a novel technique. Rb was used as a tracer for K transport, and hemolymph Rb levels were measured using cation chromatography. Hemolymph Rb was detectable at 0.1 mmol L(-1), which enabled determination of initial rate of Rb uptake. Crabs maintained for 3 wk in dilute artificial seawater (35% ASW crabs) maintained Na and K above the level of the external media and had elevated Na-K-ATPase activity in the posterior gills. In assay conditions matched to 100% ASW, Rb uptake was the same in 35% ASW crabs (0.45+/-0.04 micromol g(-1) h(-1)) and in crabs acclimated to normal seawater (100% ASW crabs, 0.49+/-0.05 micromol g(-1) h(-1)). In assay conditions matched to 35% ASW, Rb uptake was greater in 35% ASW crabs (0.28+/-0.03 micromol g(-1) h(-1)) compared with 100% ASW crabs (0.10+/-0.04 micromol g(-1) h(-1)). Low external [Rb] or reduced salinity were found to contribute independently to the difference between 100% ASW and 35% ASW crabs. Thus, whole-body Rb uptake in crabs can be measured by cation chromatography, and Rb uptake is greater in 35% ASW crabs than in 100% ASW crabs.

Characterization of Rb uptake into Sf9 cells using cation chromatography: evidence for a K-Cl cotransporter

To assess cation-chloride cotransporter activity in Sf9 cells, cation chromatography was used to measure initial uptake rates of Rb. Rb exchanged with cellular K, with 30% of cellular K replaced after a 40 min exposure to Rb. Rb uptake into Sf9 cells was not inhibited by 50 µmol l(-1) ouabain. Rb uptake was approximately 65% inhibited by 250 µmol l(-1) bumetanide added to the assay solution, and was more than 95% inhibited when cells were pre-incubated for 20 min with bumetanide (100 and 1000 µmol l(-1)). Uptake of Rb and Cl followed simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with a K(m) for Rb of 17.1+/-2.2 mmol l(-1) and a K(m) for Cl of 93.7+/-5.6 mmol l(-1). Rb uptake was not dependent upon extracellular Na. Two min exposures to solutions with reduced [Na] or [Cl] produced small but significant changes in cellular Na content. We conclude that the primary Rb uptake pathway in Sf9 cells is a K-Cl cotransporter and that cation chromatography can be used to effectively study kinetic parameters of cotransporter function in tissue culture cells. Characterization of baseline cation-chloride cotransporter activity in Sf9 cells strengthens their utility as a tool for expression and characterization of exogenous proteins.

Functional interaction of the K-Cl cotransporter (KCC1) with the Na-K-Cl cotransporter in HEK-293 cells

We have studied the regulation of the K-Cl cotransporter KCC1 and its functional interaction with the Na-K-Cl cotransporter. K-Cl cotransporter activity was substantially activated in HEK-293 cells overexpressing KCC1 (KCC1-HEK) by hypotonic cell swelling, 50 mM external K, and pretreatment with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). Bumetanide inhibited 86Rb efflux in KCC1-HEK cells after cell swelling [inhibition constant (Ki) approximately 190 microM] and pretreatment with NEM (Ki approximately 60 microM). Thus regulation of KCC1 is consistent with properties of the red cell K-Cl cotransporter. To investigate functional interactions between K-Cl and Na-K-Cl cotransporters, we studied the relationship between Na-K-Cl cotransporter activation and intracellular Cl concentration ([Cl]i). Without stimulation, KCC1-HEK cells had greater Na-K-Cl cotransporter activity than controls. Endogenous Na-K-Cl cotransporter of KCC1-HEK cells was activated <2-fold by low-Cl hypotonic prestimulation, compared with 10-fold activation in HEK-293 cells and >20-fold activation in cells overexpressing the Na-K-Cl cotransporter (NKCC1-HEK). KCC1-HEK cells had lower resting [Cl]i than HEK-293 cells; cell volume was not different among cell lines. We found a steep relationship between [Cl]i and Na-K-Cl cotransport activity within the physiological range, supporting a primary role for [Cl]i in activation of Na-K-Cl cotransport and in apical-basolateral cross talk in ion-transporting epithelia.

Albumin infusion in humans does not model exercise induced hypervolaemia after 24 hours

We rapidly infused 234 +/- 3 mL of 5% human serum albumin in eight men while measuring haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, plasma volume (PV), albumin concentration, total protein concentration, osmolality, sodium concentration, renin activity, aldosterone concentration, and atrial natriuretic peptide concentration to test the hypotheses that plasma volume expansion and plasma albumin content expansion will not persist for 24 h. Plasma volume and albumin content were expanded for the first 6 h after infusion (44.3 +/- 1.9-47.2 +/- 2.0 mL kg-1 and 1.9 +/- 0.1-2.1 +/- 0.1 g kg-1 at pre-infusion and 1 h, respectively, P < 0.05), but by 24 h plasma volume and albumin content decreased significantly from 1 h post-infusion and were not different from pre-infusion (44.8 +/- 1.9 mL kg-1 and 1.9 +/- 0.1 g kg-1, respectively). Plasma aldosterone concentration showed a significant effect of time over the 24 h after infusion (P < 0.05), and showed a trend to decrease at 2 h after infusion (167.6 +/- 32.5(-1) 06.2 +/- 13.4 pg mL-1, P = 0.07). These data demonstrate that a 6.8% expansion of plasma volume and 10.5% expansion of plasma albumin content by infusion does not remain in the vascular space for 24 h and suggest a redistribution occurs between the intravascular space and interstitial fluid space.

Molecular cloning and functional expression of the K-Cl cotransporter from rabbit, rat, and human. A new member of the cation-chloride cotransporter family

We report the cloning, sequence analysis, tissue distribution, and functional expression of the K-Cl cotransport protein, KCC1. KCC1 was identified by searching the human expressed sequence tag data base, based on the expectation that it would be distantly related to the Na-K-Cl cotransporter. Rabbit KCC1 (rbKCC1) and rat KCC1 (rtKCC1) were cloned by screening rabbit kidney and rat brain cDNA libraries using homologous cDNA probes. Human KCC1 (hKCC1) was obtained from I.M.A.G.E. clones and in part by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; it exhibits 97% identity with rbKCC1. KCC1 encodes a 1085-residue polypeptide with substantial sequence homology (24-25% identity) to the bumetanide-sensitive Na-K-Cl cotransporter (NKCC or BSC) and the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC or TSC). Hydropathy analysis of KCC1 indicates structural homology to NKCC, including 12 transmembrane domains, a large extracellular loop with potential N-linked glycosylation sites, and cytoplasmic N- and C-terminal regions. Northern blot analysis revealed a ubiquitously expressed 3. 8-kilobase transcript. Much of the genomic sequence of hKCC1 is in the data base, and the gene has been previously localized to 16q22.1 (Larsen, F., Solhein, J., Kristensen, T., Kolsto, A. B., and Prydz, H.(1993) Hum. Mol. Genet. 2, 1589-1595). Epitope-tagged rbKCC1 was stably expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells, resulting in production of a approximately150-kDa glycoprotein. The initial rate of 86Rb efflux from cells expressing rbKCC1 was more than 7 times greater than efflux from control cells and was inhibited by 2 mM furosemide; 86Rb efflux was stimulated by cell swelling. Uptake of 86Rb into rbKCC1 cells after a 15-min pretreatment with 1 mM N-ethylmaleimide was dependent on external chloride but not on external sodium, and was inhibited by furosemide with a Ki of approximately 40 microM and by bumetanide with a Ki of approximately 60 microM. These data demonstrate that the KCC1 cDNAs encode a widely expressed K-Cl cotransporter with the characteristics of the K-Cl transporter that has been characterized in red cells.

Osmoregulatory modulation of thermal sweating in humans: reflex effects of drinking

To gain better insight into the interaction between thermoregulation and osmoregulation, we examined the thermal sweating response to drinking in cell-dehydrated humans. Cell dehydration (CDH) was induced by infusion of a 3% NaCl solution, at 1.2 ml/kg, for 2 h; infusion of a 0.9% NaCl solution in a separate experiment served as a control (euhydrated condition, EH). After infusion, subjects were heated by immersion of the lower legs in 42 degrees C water at an ambient temperature of 28 degrees C for 90 min. Subjects drank 4.3 ml/kg of H2O (approximately 38 degrees C) at 60 min of heating. The 3% NaCl infusion increased plasma osmolality by 13.6 +/- 0.8 mosmol/kgH2O and plasma arginine vasopressin concentration ([AVP]) by 3.3 +/- 0.7 pg/ml. Neither variable was altered with 0.9% NaCl infusion. Before drinking, esophageal temperature (Tes) had increased by 0.91 +/- 0.08 degrees C in CDH and by 0.40 +/- 0.11 degrees C in EH. Local chest sweating rate (SRch) had increased by 0.67 +/- 0.08 and 0.63 +/- 0.07 mg.min-1.cm-2 in CDH and EH, respectively. Thus the change in SRch per unit rise in Tes was much lower in CDH than in EH. Drinking immediately increased SRch and reduced Tes in CDH, with a reduction in plasma [AVP] and thirst rating. Drinking did not change thermoregulatory and osmoregulatory responses in EH. These results suggest that the act of drinking itself eliminates, at least partially, an osmotic inhibitory input to the thermoregulatory center, as well as osmotic AVP secretion and thirst.

Cardiovascular and renal function during exercise-induced blood volume expansion in men

To test the hypothesis that reduced baroreflex sensitivity is a direct result of exercise, we measured forearm vascular conductance (FVC) responses to graded lower body negative pressure (LBNP) 2, 20, and 44 h after intense exercise. Eight 4-min bouts of exercise at 85% of maximum oxygen uptake produced 3.5 +/- 0.7 and 3.9 +/- 1.0% blood volume (BV) expansions at 20 and 44 h of recovery, respectively. BV was unchanged from control values 2 h after exercise. The reduction in FVC was significantly less than control values during 30 and 40 mmHg of LBNP at 2 and 20 h of recovery, respectively, whereas heart rate and cardiac stroke volume responses were unchanged. Thus, a reduced FVC response to LBNP preceded BV expansion, demonstrating that exercise itself can elicit an attenuation of baroreflex function. To test the hypothesis that volume sensitivity of renal function is attenuated by intense exercise, we measured cardiovascular variables, plasma hormone concentrations, and renal output. At 20 h of recovery, resting mean arterial blood pressure and cardiac output were increased by 6 +/- 1 mmHg and 0.6 +/- 0.2 l/min, respectively, but resting plasma aldosterone and overnight Na+ excretion rate were unchanged. At 44 h of recovery, plasma aldosterone was decreased by 26 +/- 9% and overnight Na+ excretion rate was increased by 51 +/- 26%. Thus, appropriate endocrine and renal responses to increased BV were delayed until 44 h of recovery. Our findings suggest that a postexercise attenuation of baroreflex function participates in the induction of BV expansion by intense exercise.

Sodium appetite, thirst, and body fluid regulation in humans during rehydration without sodium replacement

After a 7-h H2O and Na+ depletion period (DP), produced by intermittent light exercise (8 bouts) at 35 degrees C, we examined thirst and taste palatability responses to 10 different NaCl solutions during 23 h of rehydration (RH) at 25 degrees C. During DP, net H2O and Na+ loss were 27.2 +/- 2.9 ml/kg and 3.29 +/- 0.45 meq/kg, respectively. Plasma osmolality (POsm) and plasma Na+ concentration ([Na+]p) increased significantly during DP by 3.4 +/- 1.2 mosmol/kgH2O and 3.0 +/- 1.0 meq/kgH2O, respectively. Plasma volume (PV) decreased by 6.5 +/- 1.9%. Thirst rating, renal fractional reabsorption of H2O, and plasma arginine vasopressin concentration (PAVP) increased as POsm increased. This increased thirst was accompanied by increased palatability ratings to H2O. During RH, subjects drank deionized H2O ad libitum and ate a Na(+)-free diet for 23 h. POsm and [Na+]p returned to control levels within 1 h RH and remained at or below the control thereafter. PV remained reduced by approximately 5% throughout RH. The increased thirst and PAVP returned to their respective control levels within 1 h of RH as POsm decreased, but thirst rating increased against between 17 and 23 h of RH without increase in POsm or PAVP. Palatability ratings to a 1 M NaCl solution at and after 3 h RH and palatability ratings to 0.3 M at 17 and 23 h RH were significantly higher than control. Plasma aldosterone concentration (PAldo) increased after DP, decreased with drinking, and increased again between 6 and 23 h of RH, accompanied by a marked decrease in fractional Na+ excretion to < 0.07%. Thus both Na+ preference and thirst in humans are influenced by body fluid and electrolyte status. The increased Na+ palatability (Na+ appetite) was preceded by osmotically induced thirst, and accompanied by nonosmotically driven thirst [extracellular fluid (ECF) thirst] and increased PAldo. The "Na+ appetite" and "ECF thirst" along with increased renal Na+ retention could contribute to ECF volume regulation after thermally induced H2O and Na+ depletion.

Body fluid balance in dehydrated healthy older men: thirst and renal osmoregulation

We examined osmotic control of thirst and free water clearance in healthy older (65+, n = 10) and younger (Y, n = 6) subjects during a 3-h rehydration period after an approximately 2.4% decrease in body weight. Plasma volume (PV), plasma osmolality (Posm), renal function, and thirst were measured before and after dehydration and during rehydration. In 65+, baseline PV was lower (43.1 +/- 1.6 vs. 48.1 +/- 2.5 ml/kg), Posm was higher (287 +/- 1 vs. 281 +/- 2 mosmol/kgH2O), and perceived thirst was lower than in Y. During dehydration, the osmotic threshold for increased thirst was shifted to a higher Posm in 65+. Total fluid intake was greater in Y than in 65+ (16.6 +/- 4.1 vs. 8.9 +/- 2.0 ml/kg); however, the relation between thirst and the rate of fluid intake was identical. Thus the blunted rehydration in 65+ is related to a lower overall sensation of thirst. The stimulus-response characteristics of osmotic control of free water clearance was similar in 65+ and Y; however, 65+ operated around a higher Posm and on a less-steep portion of the stimulus-response curve. These data support the hypothesis that the hyperosmotic hypovolemic state of healthy older individuals is not a result of a simple water deficit but represents a shift in the operating point for control of body fluid volume and composition.

Measurement of plasma volume in rats with use of fluorescent-labeled albumin molecules

We describe a method for measuring plasma volume (PV) in small animals that allows small sample sizes but does not require the use of radioisotopes and thus is a convenient approach for making repeated measurements. Texas Red covalently bound to albumin (TR-A) was used in a typical indicator-dilution technique to measure PV. The relative fluorescent intensity of TR-A is linear to its concentration (up to 0.15 mg/ml) at an excitation lambda of 590 nm and an emission lambda of 610 nm. Catheters were inserted through the right jugular vein of anesthetized rats and threaded into the vena cava. A 0.5-ml control blood sample was taken, a measured quantity of TR-A was injected, and the catheter was flushed with saline. A 0.5-ml postinjection sample was taken 5 min after TR-A injection. PV was calculated by comparing the difference between the relative fluorescent intensity of control and postinjection plasma samples to a standard. The PV of 22 rats [362 +/- 14 (SE) g] was 14.1 +/- 0.4 ml (39.6 +/- 0.9 ml/kg body wt) measured by the TR-A method and 12.8 +/- 0.4 ml (35.9 +/- 1.0 ml/kg body wt) measured by a standard radioiodinated albumin method. There was a strong correlation between PV measured by both methods in the same rat (r = 0.90, P < 0.01). Infusion experiments indicated that the TR-A method can detect acute changes in PV, and repeated measurements of PV made on a chronically instrumented rat demonstrated that the method can reliably measure PV on consecutive days.

Effects of dynamic exercise on cardiovascular regulation during lower body negative pressure

The purpose of this study was to compare the cardiovascular control mechanisms that defend arterial blood pressure against blood pooling between rest and moderate dynamic exercise. We studied ten physically active men during rest and five 12-min graded supine cycle ergometer exercise bouts with and without application of LBNP in 25 degrees C and 35 degrees C. Exercise intensities were 10, 50, and 100 watts (W), each for 4 min, and LBNP was applied at 0 (control), -20, -40, and -60 mm Hg in 25 degrees C and -40 mm Hg in 35 degrees C. At rest, cardiac stroke volume (SV) decreased from 120 +/- 5 ml during control to 94 +/- 6, 67 +/- 5 and 49 +/- 3 ml during -20, -40, and -60 mm Hg LBNP, respectively, and to 55 +/- 3 ml during -40 mm Hg at 35 degrees C. Exercise elevated SV toward the control level during LBNP due to muscle pumping action. Heart rate (HR) did not increase significantly during application of LBNP until SV decreased by 20-25 ml during LBNP, both during rest and exercise. The magnitude of HR increase per decrease in SV, once an increase in HR occurred, was similar between rest and exercise, regardless of exercise intensity. The change in total peripheral resistance (TPR) with respect to SV was linear, confirming that peripheral vascular adjustments were proportional to changes in the heart's preload. The slopes of the TPR-SV relation were similar during rest and exercise, although shifted to the left with increasing exercise intensity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison of the forearm and calf blood flow response to thermal stress during dynamic exercise

To examine the hypothesis that the skin blood flow response to body heating is not uniform over the entire body surface, we compared forearm (FBF) and calf (CBF) blood flow responses to an increase in core temperature (esophageal temperature, Tes) during dynamic exercise. We studied 13 physically active men during semi-recumbent one leg exercise and/or intermittent supine cycle exercise at 35 degrees C. During 30 min of one leg exercise, Tes, FBF, and CBF in the nonactive leg increased from 36.94 +/- 0.09 degrees C, 5.7 +/- 1.2, and 5.6 +/- 0.6 ml.(min.100 ml)-1 at rest to 37.97 +/- 0.10 degrees C, 27.0 +/- 2.4, and 11.1 +/- 0.8 ml.(min.100 ml)-1, respectively. The increase in blood flow per unit increase in Tes was much less in the calf than in the forearm. The ratio of the peak to resting blood flow averaged 6.5 in the forearm and 2.5 in the calf. During 60 min of intermittent supine two leg exercise, Tes, FBF, and CBF increased from 36.96 +/- 0.06 degrees C, 7.9 +/- 1.5, and 5.6 +/- 0.7 ml.(min.100 ml)-1 at rest to 37.91 +/- 0.07 degrees C, 23.6 +/- 3.0, and 11.4 +/- 1.9 ml.(min.100 ml)-1, respectively. Skin blood flow (SkBF) in the forearm and calf was estimated by using a simple cylindrical model, assuming skin thickness and resting muscle blood flow to be 0.2 cm and 2 ml.(min.100 ml)-1, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Plasma volume expansion in humans after a single intense exercise protocol

We used intense intermittent exercise to produce a 10% expansion of plasma volume (PV) within 24 h and tested the hypothesis that PV expansion is associated with an increase in plasma albumin content. The protocol consisted of eight 4-min bouts of exercise at 85% maximal O2 uptake with 5-min recovery periods between bouts. PV, plasma concentrations of albumin and total protein (TP), and plasma osmolality were measured before and during exercise and at 1, 2, and 24 h of recovery from exercise. During exercise, PV decreased by 15%, while plasma TP and albumin content remained at control levels. At 1 h of recovery, plasma albumin content was elevated by 0.17 +/- 0.04 g/kg body wt, accounting for the entire increase in plasma TP content. PV returned to control level at 1 h of recovery without fluid intake by the subjects, despite a 820 +/- 120-g reduction in body weight. At 2 h of recovery, plasma TP content remained significantly elevated, and plasma TP and albumin concentration were significantly elevated. At 24 h of recovery, PV was expanded by 4.5 +/- 0.7 ml/kg body wt (10 +/- 1%), estimated from hematocrit and hemoglobin changes, and by 3.8 +/- 1.3 ml/kg body wt (8 +/- 3%), measured by Evans blue dye dilution. Plasma albumin content was increased by 0.19 +/- 0.05 g/kg body wt at 24 h of recovery. If 1 g of albumin holds 18 ml of water, this increase in plasma albumin content can account for a 3.4-ml/kg body wt expansion of the PV. No significant changes in plasma osmolality occurred during recovery, but total plasma osmotic content increased in proportion to PV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)