Acidotic Rats Research Articles

Role of NHE3 in Mediating Renal Brush Border Na+-H+ Exchange: ADAPTATION TO METABOLIC ACIDOSIS

The aims of the present study were to estimate the fraction of renal brush border membrane Na+-H+ exchange activity mediated by the isoform NHE3 and to evaluate whether the increased brush border Na+-H+ exchange observed in metabolic acidosis is due to increased expression of NHE3 protein. Compared with other isoforms, NHE3 is known to have a unique profile of sensitivity to pharmacologic inhibitors, including relative resistance to amiloride analogs and HOE694. We therefore assessed the inhibitor sensitivity of pH gradient-stimulated 22Na uptake in renal brush border vesicles isolated from normal rats. The I50 values for amiloride (30 microM), dimethylamiloride (10 microM), ethylisopropylamiloride (6 microM), and HOE694 (>100 microM) were markedly dissimilar from those reported for NHE1 and NHE2 but were nearly identical to reported values for NHE3. Na+-H+ exchange activity in renal brush border vesicles isolated from rats with 5 days of NH4Cl-induced metabolic acidosis was increased 1.5-fold compared with control rats, with no change in inhibitor sensitivity. Western blot analysis indicated that NHE3 protein expression was greater in brush border membranes from acidotic compared with control rats. We conclude that virtually all measured Na+-H+ exchange activity in brush border membranes from control and acidotic rats is mediated by NHE3 and that metabolic acidosis causes increased expression of renal brush border NHE3 protein.

Regulation of glutamate dehydrogenase by branched-chain amino acids in skeletal muscle from rats and chicks

Little information is available regarding the regulation of glutamate dehydrogenase in skeletal muscle. We investigated the regulation of glutamate dehydrogenase by branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) in skeletal muscles from rats and chicks and determined the effects of metabolic acidosis on the activity and regulation of this enzyme by BCAA in rat skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle mitochondria were prepared from normal rats and chicks and acidotic rats. Mitochondrial glutamate dehydrogenase activity was measured in the presence or absence of BCAA. Metabolic acidosis was induced by feeding rats 1.5% NH 4CI as drinking water. Glutamate dehydrogenase activity was stimulated by leucine ( P < 0.001) and isoleucine ( P < 0.05) in rat muscles and by leucine ( P < 0.05) in chick muscles in a concentration-dependent manner. Both leucine and isoleucine had their maximum effects at a concentration of 1 mM (45% by leucine and 27% by isoleucine in rat muscle; 36% by leucine in chick muscle). The maximum stimulatory effects of leucine and isoleucine in rat muscles were additive. Neither valine nor 2-oxoisocaproate had an effect on glutamate dehydrogenase activity in rat or chick muscles. In acidotic rats, the basal activity of skeletal muscle glutamate dehydrogenase was 1.8-fold ( P < 0.01) greater than in control rats; leucine, isoleucine, and valine significantly increased glutamate dehydrogenase activity (maximally 86, 55 and 33%, respectively; P < 0.05). We conclude that glutamate dehydrogenase activity in skeletal muscle from rats and chicks is regulated by BCAA, and that a species difference exists between rats and chicks. Metabolic acidosis increases the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase and its sensitivity to BCAA.

Influence of alkaline buffers on cytoplasmic pH in myocardial cells exposed to metabolic acidosis

The influence of different clinically used alkaline buffers on cytoplasmic pH in normal as well as acidotic rat myocardial cells was investigated in this study by means of the fluorescent intracellular probe 2′,7′-bis-(carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein acetoxymethyl ester (BCECF-AM). It was shown that both sodium bicarbonate and Tris buffer mixture (Tribonat ®) caused a significant and dose-dependent acidification of the cytoplasm of suspended myocardial cells with normal initial intracellular pH. This decrease was followed by a slow increase during the observation period. The initial cytoplasmic pH value was more easily reached when Tris buffer mature was used. Ringer's acetate also caused a decrease of intracellular pH, but this change persisted and was further amplified during the experiment. Carbicarb in larger dosages as well as pure trometamol (Tris) caused a pronounced dose-dependent and lasting intracellular alkalinization. Intracellular acidosis was achieved by preincubating the cells in sodium acetate. Addition of sodium bicarbonate caused an initial and dose-dependent acidification of the cytoplasm followed by a slow increase to values slightly above the induced acidosis. In contrast, Tris buffer mixture showed a tendency towards an initial acidification only when larger dosages were used, and correction of the induced acidosis was possible by use of moderate to large volumes. Ringer's acetate produced a lasting and dose-dependent decrease of cytoplasmic pH, while Carbicarb and pure trometamol caused an immediate, pronounced and persistent alkalinization. Myocardial fells with low initial cytoplasmic pH due to preincubation in an acid buffer also showed an early decrease of intracellular pH alter addition of sodium bicarbonate and Tris buffer mixture. In the case of sodium bicarbonate correction of the acid-base disturbance was not achieved during the observation period, while this was accomplished by use of larger volumes of Tris buffer mixture. Carbicarb in larger volumes caused an increase in intracellular pH. The most significant and persistent increases of cytoplasmic pH was achieved by use of pure trometamol. In conclusion, the present in vitro study implies that Tris buffer mixture (Tribonat ®) is well-suited for correction of intracellular acidosis since it acts without causing a pronounced initial intracellular acidosis or a later potentially hazardous huge cytoplasmic alkalinization.

Regulation of the insulin-like growth factor system by acute acidosis.

Many catabolic conditions are characterized by disturbances in acid-base balance and concomitant alterations in the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system. However, the influence of acidosis per se on the various components of the IGF system has not been extensively examined. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of acute metabolic acidosis on the plasma and tissue concentrations of IGF-I and the various IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). Conscious unrestrained fasted rats were infused iv with either 0.2 N HCl or an equal volume of saline for 4 h. The arterial blood pH decreased within 60 min after starting the HCl infusion and remained lower than time-matched control values for the entire experimental protocol. Although the plasma IGF-I concentration fell gradually and was reduced by 30%, compared to time-matched control values, GH levels were unaltered. The IGF-I content of tissues collected at the conclusion of the experiment was increased in liver (35%) and kidney (63%), and unchanged in skeletal muscle. However, whereas acidosis moderately increased IGF-I messenger RNA abundance in liver, no significant alteration in IGF-I expression was detected in kidney. Acidosis also increased the plasma levels of IGFBP-1 and -2 as well as the IGFBP-1 content of liver and kidney. In contrast, the concentration of intact IGFBP-3 was decreased in acid-infused rats, and this reduction was associated with an increased rate of IGFBP-3 protease activity. Acidotic rats demonstrated unremarkable changes in the plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin, but corticosterone levels were elevated throughout the experiment. The results of the present study demonstrate that in the absence of underlying pathology, acute metabolic acidosis decreases circulating levels of IGF-I, probably by increasing renal clearance of the peptide, not by decreasing hepatic IGF-I synthesis.

Acidosis prevents growth hormone-induced growth in experimental uremia.

The effects of 2 weeks of a daily injection (2 IU/day) of recombinant human growth hormone (GH) were studied in young (60-g) growing rats in two experiments. Experiment 1 was performed in uremic animals (mean plasma creatinine 65-71 mumol/l) who were either acidotic (mean bicarbonate 11.5 mmol/l) or had acidosis corrected (mean bicarbonate 26 mmol/l) by addition of sodium bicarbonate to the diet. Experiment 2 used rats with normal renal function (plasma creatinine 25 mumol/l) who were either non-acidotic but restricted to the dietary intake of uremic rats or rendered acidotic by ammonium chloride. GH induced an increase in body weight and length in non-acidotic uremic (+33% and +41%) and in non-acidotic food-restricted (+13% and +42%) rats, associated with an increased rate of protein synthesis and little change in plasma insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF 1). In both acidotic rat groups, GH altered none of the parameters studied. Thus: (1) the presence of severe metabolic acidosis blunts the response to GH in uremic and non-uremic rats and (2) the increment of growth rate does not depend on a rise in plasma IGF 1.

K depletion and NH4Cl acidosis increase apical insertion of studded membrane in type A intercalated cells.

To examine the effects of K depletion and metabolic acidosis on the prevalence and distribution of H(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (H(+)-ATPase)-related studs at the luminal plasma membrane of A-type intercalated cells (A-ICs), we conducted a quantitative electron microscopical study on the cortical collecting ducts (CCDs) of control, NH4Cl-loaded, and K-depleted rats. The percentage of A-ICs was slightly increased in the K-depleted but not in the acidotic rats. A-ICs were considered "active" when they presented a semicontinuous row of 9- to 10-nm studs at the cytoplasmic face of the apical membrane and "inactive" when all of the apical membrane was devoid of studs. The percentage of active A-ICs was greatly increased in acidotic (87.2%) and K-depleted (79.3%) rats compared with controls (41.6%). These results give a quantitative expression to the general view that acidosis elicits insertion of studded membrane in the apical plasma membrane of A-ICs. Furthermore, we show, for the first time, that an increase in the membrane insertion of H(+)-ATPase is also part of the response to K depletion.

Impaired cation transport in thymocytes of rats with chronic uremia includes the Na+/H+ antiporter.

To examine how uremia changes sodium, potassium, and proton transport, thymocytes from chronic renal failure (CRF) rats were studied. If alterations in cation transport associated with chronic uremia (CRF) extend to intracellular pH regulation, the susceptibility to the catabolic effects of acidosis might be increased. To evaluate the influence of acidosis, cation transport in thymocytes from normal rats with NH4Cl-induced acidosis was also studied. Ouabain-sensitive 86Rb influx in thymocytes from acidotic CRF rats was 32% lower than in control cells (P < 0.05), but intracellular sodium concentration was unchanged. This may be related to a 47 +/- 22% reduction in 22Na influx. In thymocytes from nonuremic, acidotic rats, ouabain-sensitive 86Rb influx was decreased 39% (P < 0.025), similar to the change in CRF. In CRF thymocytes, Na(+)-H+ antiporter activity in response to cell acidification (7.13 +/- 0.8 versus 9.42 +/- 0.8 mmol of H+/L per min; CRF versus control), or to osmotic shrinkage (0.43 +/- 0.09 versus 0.82 +/- 0.11 mmol of H+/L per min; CRF versus control), was significantly (P < 0.01) reduced. Buffering capacity at resting and acidic intracellular pH was unchanged by uremia, but Na+/H+ antiporter activity in response to acid loading or osmotic shrinkage was unchanged in thymocytes of nonuremic rats with metabolic acidosis. Thus, CRF reduces both Na/K-ATPase and Na+/H+ antiporter activities in rat thymocytes. The former may be secondary to reduced sodium influx. Impaired Na+/H+ antiporter activity is not caused by metabolic acidosis alone, whereas reduced Na/K-ATPase activity is found in both acidosis and uremia.

Acidosis and glucocorticoids interact to provoke muscle protein and amino acid catabolism.

Malnutrition and a loss of lean body mass frequently complicate chronic renal failure. Muscle wasting in uremia is caused by increased protein degradation, decreased protein synthesis and increased branched-chain amino acid oxidation. Acidosis and glucocorticoids are pivotal in these pathophysiologic aberrations. When the acidosis of chronic renal failure is corrected by feeding bicarbonate, protein degradation and amino acid oxidation normalize. Likewise, if patients and animals with normal renal function are made acidotic, protein degradation and amino acid oxidation increase. In adrenalectomized, acidotic rats, proteolysis increases only when they are supplemented with physiologic concentrations of glucocorticoids, suggesting that glucocorticoids are necessary for increased proteolysis. Acidosis stimulates the ATP-dependent proteolytic process involving ubiquitin and the 26S proteasome. Thus, acidosis evokes a glucocorticoid-dependent catabolic response in muscle that can account for the protein wasting associated with uremia.

Glutamine Transport in Normal and Acidotic Rat Kidney Mitochondria

Glutamine transport in both normal and acidotic rat kidney mitochondria was investigated using both isotopic techniques and by spectroscopic measurements in which glutamine metabolism was allowed to occur. Widely used criteria for demonstrating the occurrence of carrier-mediated transport were successfully applied in both cases. Three transport mechanisms were found to occur, namely glutamine uniport, active only during acidosis and glutamine/glutamate and glutamine/malate antiports, active in both normal and acidotic mitochondria. Efflux of glutamate, via a glutamate/OH − translocator, following glutamine uptake by mitochondria was experimentally ruled out. Glutamine uniport in acidotic mitochondria and glutamine/glutamate and glutamine/malate antiports in both normal and acidotic mitochondria were investigated in detail: differences found in K m and V max values, in pH and temperature dependence, and in the pattern of inhibitor sensitivity of glutamine transport demonstrated the existence of five different translocators whose activities were found to fit with the physiological requirements of renal ammoniogenesis.

Renal tubular cell protein breakdown in uninephrectomized and ammonium chloride-loaded rats.

Kidney enlargement after unilateral nephrectomy or the induction of a systemic acidosis with ammonium chloride is associated with an increase in kidney protein content. This reflects an imbalance between protein breakdown and protein synthesis. Because it has been shown in diabetic nephromegaly that depressed protein breakdown contributes to the increase in kidney protein content, this study examined whether altered protein breakdown is common to all forms of renal hypertrophy. Accordingly, protein turnover was measured in isolated proximal tubules from kidney in rats undergoing renal enlargement after uninephrectomy or chronic ammonium chloride-induced acidosis. In both conditions, kidney protein content and protein synthesis ([14C]valine incorporation) increased significantly. Fractional protein degradation was depressed in renal tubules isolated from the acidotic rats and was accompanied by a decrease in proximal tubule cathepsin B and combined B and L activities. These changes are comparable to earlier observations with the diabetic kidney. In contrast, after unilateral nephrectomy, protein breakdown is not reduced, and it can reasonably be concluded that, in this condition, protein gain reflects increased protein synthesis alone. It was concluded that the pattern of protein turnover leading to protein accretion in renal hypertrophy varies according to the initial stimulus for renal growth.

Acidosis and glucocorticoids concomitantly increase ubiquitin and proteasome subunit mRNAs in rat muscle.

In rat muscle metabolic acidosis increases ATP-dependent protein degradation and levels of mRNAs for ubiquitin (Ub) and proteasome subunits. Because adrenalectomy (ADX) abolishes the proteolytic response to acidosis in muscle, we examined whether glucocorticoids (GCs) are necessary for acidosis-induced changes in Ub and proteasome mRNAs in muscles. Total RNA content of the white fiber extensor digitorum longus or mixed fiber gastrocnemius muscles were lowest in muscles of ADX rats given acid plus GCs. In contrast, the abundance of Ub and C2 and C9 proteasome subunits mRNAs were increased in muscles from this group compared with untreated ADX rats or ADX rats given acid or GCs alone. Because total RNA is reduced, the increase in these mRNAs in muscles of ADX rats receiving acid plus GCs provides evidence for a specific activation of the ATP-dependent-Ub-proteasome pathway. Thus, GCs are required but not sufficient to produce the coordinated increase in mRNAs encoding ubiquitin and proteasome subunits occurring in muscles of acidotic rats.

Effect of metabolic acidosis on the expression of insulin-like growth factor and growth hormone receptor

Effect of metabolic acidosis on the expression of insulin-like growth factor and growth hormone receptor. To further our understanding of the growth failure in metabolic acidosis, we examined the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I and IGF-II), the IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and the hepatic IGF mRNA and growth hormone receptor mRNA in control, pair-fed and acidotic rats. The rats in the last group were made acidotic by using ammonium chloride (1.5%) as their sole fluid intake for eight days. Metabolic acidosis was confirmed by a blood pH of 7.11 ± 0.10 (mean ± SD). The mean starting weights for all rats were 167.1 ± 3.4 grams. Growth impairment was observed in the acidotic rats after one week of ammonium chloride intake. The body weights of the acidotic rats compared to those of the control rats were 155.5 ± 18.9 g versus 222.8 ± 9.7 g, P ad libitum controls, the same IGF-I concentrations were significantly decreased in the acidotic animals (P

Enzymatic and functional evidence for adaptation of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase in proximal tubule apical membranes from rats with chronic metabolic acidosis.

The present work examined the effects of chronic metabolic acidosis on the vacuolar proton-translocating adenosine triphosphatase (H(+)-ATPase) activity both in rat renal cortical homogenates and in their luminal membranes. Moreover, to assess the effect of acidosis on H+ transport by the apical H(+)-ATPase, we have developed a detergent-dilution procedure, resulting in the formation of sealed vesicles having this enzyme at their external surface. NH4Cl loading for 4 days had no effect on homogenates H(+)-ATPase activity, estimated with either N-ethylmaleimide or bafilomycin A1. In contrast, H(+)-ATPase activities were increased significantly by about 30% in both native apical membranes prepared by Ca2+ aggregation and detergent-treated luminal vesicles from acidotic animal. Kinetic analysis revealed that this stimulation was solely through changes in the Vmax for ATP. In membranes prepared by Mg2+ aggregation, acidosis also caused significant stimulation of the H(+)-ATPase activity. In addition, the initial rate of ATP-induced intravesicular acidification was 25% higher in reoriented H(+)-ATPase vesicles from acidotic rats, whereas passive proton permeability was identical in both groups. Finally, both vesicle enrichments and yields of luminal markers and de-enrichments and yields of intracellular membrane markers were identical in the two groups. These results provide enzymatic and functional evidence suggesting that chronic acidosis induces an adaptative change in the rat brush border H(+)-ATPase.

Effect of metabolic acidosis on the expression of insulin-like growth factor and growth hormone receptor

To further our understanding of the growth failure in metabolic acidosis, we examined the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I and IGF-II), the IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and the hepatic IGF mRNA and growth hormone receptor mRNA in control, pair-fed and acidotic rats. The rats in the last group were made acidotic by using ammonium chloride (1.5%) as their sole fluid intake for eight days. Metabolic acidosis was confirmed by a blood pH of 7.11 +/- 0.10 (mean +/- SD). The mean starting weights for all rats were 167.1 +/- 3.4 grams. Growth impairment was observed in the acidotic rats after one week of ammonium chloride intake. The body weights of the acidotic rats compared to those of the control rats were 155.5 +/- 18.9 g versus 222.8 +/- 9.7 g, P < 0.001; the pair-fed rats weighed 156.8 +/- 19.6 grams. All rats were bled and sacrificed on day 8. Sera and tissue were analyzed with the following results: compared to the ad libitum controls, the same IGF-I concentrations were significantly decreased in the acidotic animals (P < 0.02) as well as pair-fed controls (P < 0.005). The serum IGF-II and IGF-binding protein-3 concentrations were unchanged by acidosis or food restriction. The hepatic IGF-I mRNA was significantly reduced by acidosis (P < 0.01) and pair-feeding (P < 0.01). Compared to control, the mean hepatic IGF mRNA in acidosis was significantly lower (P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the acidotic and the pair-fed groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Metabolic acidosis inhibits growth hormone secretion in rats: mechanism of growth retardation

To test the hypothesis that growth retardation in nonanion gap acidosis may be associated with impairment of growth hormone (GH) secretory patterns, we examined GH secretion in rats made acidotic with ammonium chloride ingestion. Considerable growth retardation was demonstrated in pair-fed and acidotic rats after 1 wk of ammonium chloride ingestion compared with control. With stable metabolic acidosis sustained on the 8th day of experiment, pulsatile secretion of GH was evaluated by blood samples drawn every 10 min for 6 h. Using deconvolution analysis to quantitate in vivo GH secretory rates, we found significant inhibition of pulsatile GH secretion in acidotic rats. Changes in amplitude of GH pulses and mean mass of GH pulses correlated with changes in body weight. These studies showed that chronic metabolic acidosis causes growth impairment, reduced food efficiency, and amplitude-specific inhibition of pulsatile secretion of GH. We propose that this GH axis suppression, whether mediated by decreased nutrients or not, contributes significantly to growth failure in children with renal tubular acidosis. Because a similar degree of inhibition of GH secretion was seen in pair-fed rats, we infer that insufficient calorie intake in metabolic acidosis may contribute to disruption of normal GH secretion patterns. These changes in GH secretion were specific, because acidotic rats were different from pair-fed controls in that they showed no change in either half-life of GH in circulation or in pulse frequency. Such observations offer a rationale for more detailed clinical investigations into the impact of metabolic acidosis on physiological regulation of pulsatile GH secretion in humans.

Alpha ketoglutarate, ornithine and growth hormone displace glutamine dependent ammoniagenesis and enhance renal base generation and function

Renal base generation requires accelerated interorgan glutamine fluxes during chronic acidosis (1). Decreased ureagenesis and muscle erosion are reflections of nitrogen mobilized and addressed as glutamine for renal extraction and ammoniagenesis. Since glutamine is shared with other homeostatic systems, renal base demands may jeopardize patient recovery. Therefore attempts to substitute other potential base generating fuels have been undertaken. Alpha ketoglutarate decreases renal glutamine uptake and ammoniagenesis (2, 3). Omithine may also be base generating, as well as ammoniagenic (4) especially during acute acidosis when proton gradients are at their zenith. More interesting, both alpha ketoglutarate and omithine reduce protein turnover in catabolic (acidotic) conditions (5.6). However, despite the documented alpha ketoglutarate sparing glutamine action, the positive effect of alpha ketoglutarate on base generation remains to be seen. Theoretically. 1 mole of = KG’ should, upon oxidation or conversion to glucose, yield 2 moles of HCO-, regardless as to whether glutamine, omithine or alpha ketoglutarate was the nutrient delivered. It was to test this hypothesis as well as the cellular mechanisms underlying these effects that the following studies were performed. In addition, since growth hormone spares glutamine nitrogen (7). its effect on base generation was also included. Experiments were performed on kidneys isolated from chronically acidotic rats (fed 110 mM HCl in a liquid elemental diet for 4 days; acid intake 2896 f 91 prnol/day/lOO g BW, arterial plasma HCO-, 15.6 + 1.6 mM, and NH,’ excretion 2256 f 361 pmol/day/ 100 g BW). The isolated kidney (7) was perfused with a recycling artificial plasma solution containing albumin (5 g%), glucose (5 mM) and HCO-, (19 mM). Changes in perfusate HCO-, content were compared to accurately measured urinary loss: base production was obtained from the incremental rise in perfusate bicarbonate after subtracting excreted HCO-,. Ammonia dependent HCO-, production was assessed from the rate of ammonium production (urine plus perfusate accumulation). The kidneys were perfused for 45 min (equilibration) and then. infusions of gln (500 nmol/min).

Acid-base regulation of hepatic glutamine metabolism and ureagenesis

The metabolism of (5-15N)glutamine and (2-15N) glutamine has been studied by isolated hepatocytes obtained from either control, chronically acidotic, or alkalotic rats. The main goal was to elucidate the mechanism(s) by which altered acid-base state affects hepatic ureagenesis from glutamine. Isolated hepatocytes were incubated in Krebs buffer (pH 7.4) supplemented with 0.1 mM ornithine plus either 1 mM (5-15N)glutamine or (2-15N)glutamine. To elucidate the role of glutamine cycling in net ammonia metabolism, a separate series of experiments were performed with 1 mM unlabeled glutamine plus 1 mM (15N)H4Cl. Net glutamine utilization was significantly lower in hepatocytes obtained from chronically acidotic rats compared with control or alkalotic rats. The sum of the rates of 15NH3 and (15N)urea production from (5-15N)glutamine was decreased in acidosis compared with alkalosis. After incubations of 50 min, approximately 75, 65, or 90% of the N in carbamoyl-phosphate was derived from the 5-N of glutamine in control, acidosis, or alkalosis respectively. In experiments with (2-15N)glutamine, the production of singly and doubly labeled (15N)urea as well as (15N)aspartate and (15N)H3 was significantly smaller in acidosis compared with alkalosis. Furthermore, a correlation was observed between production rates of (15N)aspartate and (15N)urea, suggesting that alterations in urea production may depend on aspartate formed from glutamine. However, the production of (15N)alanine was higher in acidosis compared with alkalosis with apparent correlation between the production of (15N)alanine and 2-oxoglutaramate, a product of the glutamine aminotransferase pathway. In addition, the rate of glutamine recycling was significantly higher in acidosis compared with control or alkalosis, indicating that both flux through glutamine aminotransferase and flux through glutamine synthetase were elevated in acidosis compared with alkalosis. These data suggest that decreased formation of aspartate from glutamine may limit ureagenesis in chronic metabolic acidosis. The formation of aspartate may depend on the availability of oxaloacetate rather than diminished flux through transaminase reaction. The enhancement of alanine production and glutamine synthesis may provide an alternate route of N disposal in cases of diminished urea formation.

Effect of metabolic acidosis and alkalosis on NEM-sensitive ATPase in rat nephron segments.

An N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)-sensitive adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) displaying the kinetic and pharmacological properties of an electrogenic proton pump has been described in the different segments of rat nephron, where it mediates part of the active tubular proton secretion. This study was therefore designed to evaluate whether changes in urinary acidification observed during metabolic acidosis or alkalosis were associated with alterations of the activity of tubular NEM-sensitive ATPase, and if so, to localize the nephron segments responsible for these changes. Within 1 wk after the onset of ammonium chloride treatment, rats developed a metabolic acidosis, and NEM-sensitive ATPase activity was markedly increased in the medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and outer medullary collecting tubule, and slightly increased in the cortical collecting tubule. Conversely, treatment with sodium bicarbonate induced a metabolic alkalosis that was accompanied by decreased NEM-sensitive ATPase activity in medullary thick ascending limb and outer medullary collecting tubule. NEM-sensitive ATPase activity was not altered in any other nephron segment tested in alkalotic and acidotic rats, i.e., the proximal tubule and the cortical thick ascending limb of Henle's loop. Changes qualitatively similar were observed as soon as 3 h after the onset of NaHCO3 or NH4Cl-loading. In the medullary collecting tubule, alterations of NEM-sensitive ATPase activity are in part due to hyperaldosteronism observed in both acidotic and alkalotic rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age-associated changes in ammoniagenesis in isolated rat renal tubule segments.

We investigated renal ammoniagenesis in isolated nephron segments from control and acidotic senescent and young adult rats. When young (6 mo) and senescent (24 mo) control groups were compared, there was no significant difference in glutamine-dependent ammonia production in any nephron tubule segments. However, ammonia production rates in glomeruli from old rats were significantly greater than the rate from young rats and were correlated with the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. After giving young and old rats an equivalent acid load (by gavage) of ammonia chloride solutions (6 mo, blood pH 7.34; 24 mo, blood pH 7.07), we measured a significant increase in ammoniagenesis on the S1 and S2 segments of proximal tubules and the distal convoluted tubules from old rats, and no increase in any segment from young rats. When we increased the acid load in young rats to an equivalent severity of acidosis (blood pH 7.07), we found significant increases in ammonia production in the S1, S2, S3, and distal convoluted tubule. With comparable blood pH values, ammoniagenesis in S1, S2, and S3 segments from young rats was about double the values measured in segments from senescent rats. The severity of the acidosis in the 24-mo-old rats was related to serum creatinine and BUN. Our findings show that ammoniagenesis in isolated segments from senescent rats is qualitatively similar to their younger counterparts but that this maximum capacity to generate ammonia is reduced. The change in nephron capacity to synthesize ammonia may be the result of age-associated physiological changes and/or the chronic renal failure exhibited in old rats.

Variations in the kinetic response of several different phosphate-dependent glutaminase isozymes during acute metabolic acidosis

We describe the kinetic modifications to mitochondrial-membrane-bound phosphate-dependent glutaminase in various types of rat tissue brought about by acute metabolic acidosis. The activity response of phosphate-dependent glutaminase to glutamine was sigmoidal, showing positive co-operativity, the Hill coefficients always being higher than 2. The enzyme from acidotic rats showed increased activity at subsaturating concentrations of glutamine in kidney tubules, as might be expected, but not in brain, intestine or liver tissues. Nevertheless, when brain and intestine from control rats were incubated in plasma from acutely acidotic rats enzyme activity increased at 1 mM glutamine in the same way as in kidney cortex. The enzyme from liver tissue remained unaltered. S0.5 and nH values decreased significantly in kidney tubules, enterocytes and brain slices preincubated in plasma from acidotic rats. The sigmoidal curves of phosphate-dependent glutaminase shifted to the left without any significant changes in Vmax. The similar response of phosphate-dependent glutaminase to acute acidosis in the kidney, brain and intestine confirms the fact that enzymes from these tissues are kinetically identical and reaffirms the presence of an ammoniagenic factor in plasma, either produced or concentrated in the kidneys of rats with acute acidosis.