Effects of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid on potassium transport in the rat medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop

Abstract

Potassium transport in the thick ascending limb is conducted by heterogeneous cells to opposite directions. Effects of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids on potassium transport of the rat medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) were examined by in vitro microperfusion technique by measuring net potassium flux (JK), and apparent potassium conductances in the apical and basolateral membranes of two cell populations. Segments of MTAL were obtained from four groups of rats: sham operated control rats, adrenalectomized rats (ADX), adrenalectomized rats treated with dexamethasone (DEX), and adrenalectomized rats treated with aldosterone (ALDO). Fractional urinary potassium excretion was reduced by ADX and partially recovered by either DEX or ALDO. JK of the isolated perfused MTAL was markedly decreased by ADX from 5.13 to 1.94 pmol/min/mm. It was partially recovered by DEX (3.36 pmol/min/mm), but not by ALDO (2.07 pmol/min/mm). Random impalement of MTAL cells with a microelectrode in the control group revealed two cell populations; 76% was high basolateral conductance cell (HBC) and 24% was low basolateral conductance cell (LBC). In the ADX group, the basolateral potassium conductance of the HBC cell was markedly reduced, whereas the apical membrane potassium conductance of the HBC cell was increased. These changes were recovered in the DEX group, but not in the ALDO group. Potassium conductances of the apical and basolateral membranes in the LBC were unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)