Bath HCO3 Research Articles

Dopamine inhibits renal Na+:HCO3- cotransporter in rabbits and normotensive rats but not in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Dopamine (DA) is thought to regulate renal proximal transport through the inhibition of the Na+,K+-ATPase and/or Na+/H+ exchanger. Defects in this dopaminergic system are proposed to be a pathogenic factor of genetic hypertension. However, microperfusion studies have not consistently confirmed direct tubular effects of DA. Isolated proximal straight tubules were perfused peritubularly with Dulbecco's modified Eagle's tissue culture medium (DMEM) containing norepinephrine (NE) to improve incubation conditions. Intracellular Na+ concentrations ([Na+]i) and cell pH (pHi) were measured with fluorescence probes. When incubated in DMEM plus NE, DA increased [Na+]i in rabbit tubules. Inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase could not explain this response, as it was not suppressed by ouabain. An analysis of pHi responses to bath HCO3- reduction revealed that DA, SKF 38393 (a DA1 agonist), and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) inhibited the basolateral Na+:HCO3- cotransporter in rabbit and Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY), if its transport stoichiometry was converted to 3 HCO3-:1 Na+ by DMEM plus NE incubation. The inhibitory effect of DA was abolished by SCH 23390, a DA1 antagonist, but not by (-)-sulpiride, a DA2 antagonist. In spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), however, DA and SKF 38393 failed to inhibit the cotransporter, although the inhibitory effects of cAMP and parathyroid hormone were comparable to those in WKY. These results indicate that DA inhibits the Na+:HCO3- cotransporter in renal proximal tubules and also suggest that dysregulation of the cotransporter, possibly through the defect in DA1 receptor signaling, could play an important role in development of hypertension in SHRs.

Effect of norepinephrine on intracellular pH in kidney proximal tubule: role of Na+-(HCO-3)n cotransport.

We examined the effect of norepinephrine (NE) on intracellular pH (pHi) and activity of Na+ (aNai) in the isolated perfused kidney proximal tubule of Ambystoma, using single-barreled voltage and ion-selective microelectrodes. In control HCO-3 Ringer, addition of 10(-6) M NE to the bath reversibly depolarized the basolateral membrane potential (V1), the luminal membrane potential (V2), and the transepithelial potential difference (V3) and increased pHi by 0. 14 +/- 0.02. These effects were mimicked by isoproterenol but were abolished after pretreatment with SITS or in the absence of CO2/HCO-3. Removal of bath Na+ depolarized V1 and V2, hyperpolarized V3, and decreased pHi. These effects are largely mediated by the electrogenic Na+-(HCO-3)n cotransporter. In the presence of NE, the effects of Na+ removal on membrane potential differences and the rate of change of pHi were significantly smaller. Reducing bath HCO-3 concentration from 10 to 2 mM at constant CO2 (pH 6.8) depolarized V1 and V2, decreased pHi, and lowered aNai. These changes are also due to Na+-(HCO-3)n. In the presence of NE, reducing bath [HCO-3] caused a smaller depolarizations of V1 and V2, and the rate of pHi decrease was significantly reduced. Our results indicate: 1) NE causes an increase in pHi; 2) the NE-induced alkalinization is mediated by a SITS-sensitive and HCO-3-dependent transporter on the basolateral membrane; and 3) in the presence of NE, the reduced effects caused by basolateral HCO-3 changes or Na+ removal are indicative of an inhibitory effect of NE on Na+-(HCO-3)n cotransport.

Partial recovery of in vivo function by improved incubation conditions of isolated renal proximal tubule. II. Change of Na-HCO3 cotransport stoichiometry and of response to acetazolamide.

In the preceding publication we reported that some transport properties of proximal tubules perfused in vitro differ from those of tubules perfused in vivo, and that the in vivo function can be largely recuperated by improved metabolic substrate supply and stimulation with norepinephrine (NE). Since we have previously observed that the basolateral Na-HCO3-cotransporter operates with an overall stoichiometric ratio of q approximately 3 HCO3- :1 Na+ in vivo, but with q approximately 2 HCO3- :1 Na+ in vitro and that it responds differently in both cases to acetazolamide (ACZ), we have now tested whether the cotransporter can regain its in vivo function in vitro if the incubation conditions are improved. Cell membrane potentials (Vb) and cell pH (pHi) were measured with microelectrodes and microfluorimetric techniques on isolated S2 segments of rabbit proximal tubule and the instantaneous Vb response to a 2:1 reduction of bath HCO3- or Na+ concentration was determined. (DeltaVb)HCO3 and (deltaVb)Na averaged 13.1 +/- 0.9 mV (SEM) and 6.9 +/- 0.5 mV in D-glucose-containing control HCO3-Ringer solution and decreased respectively to 10.1 +/- 0.5 mV and 3.8 +/- 0.2 mV (n = 8) after incubation in tissue culture medium and NE (10(-5) mmol/l). These data imply that q increased from 1.9 to 2.7. Concomitantly the tubules became susceptible to ACZ (1 mmol/l), which reduced (deltaVb)HCO3 in control conditions only to 94.6 +/- 1.2% but under improved incubation conditions to 64.5 +/- 2.4%. As verified in voltage divider measurements the latter reduction was not caused by activation of a basolateral K+ conductance. The results indicate that improved incubation conditions can at least partially revert cotransport function towards that of the in vivo state. The effect of ACZ may be explained if in the improved state 1 CO32- + 1 HCO3- + 1 Na+ are cotransported, in which case inhibition of carbonic anhydrase (CA) may cause a CO32-/pH disequilibrium to develop in the basal labyrinth which impedes the cotransport. Under conventional incubation conditions, however, when only 2 HCO3- + 1 Na+ are cotransported no such disequilibrium should develop irrespective of whether CA is active or inhibited.

Transepithelial transport and cell volume control in proximal renal tubules from the teleost Carassius auratus.

The objective of this work was to study cell volume regulation and transepithelial transport in renal proximal tubules. A modified stop-flow technique in in vitro perfused renal proximal tubules of Carassius auratus was used. The rate of luminal fluid absorption and the epithelial thickness were measured. Isosmotic Na+ removal from the tubule lumen or addition of the Na+/glucose co-transport blocker phloridzin (0.5 mM) to the lumen inhibited fluid absorption. Only minor effects on luminal absorption were observed following: (1) addition of the K+ channel inhibitor BaCl2 (1 mM); (2) addition of the Cl- channel inhibitor MK-196 (1 mM); (3) lowering bath and perfusate HCO3- in the presence of 0.1 mM acetazolamide; or (4) addition of the leukotriene-D4 receptor antagonist L-660, 711 (20 microM). Isosmotic addition of 40 mM taurine to the bath inhibited the rate of fluid absorption. This effect could be partially overcome with the organic acid secretion inhibitors probenecid (1 mM) and bromcresol green (0.1 mM). Finally, administration of the 5-lipoxygenase antagonist ETH 615-139 (20 microM) caused a significant reduction in the rate of luminal absorption. In summary, tubular reabsorption is, in this preparation, closely linked to sodium reabsorption. In the absence of luminal amino acids most of this sodium uptake seems to occur in co-transport with glucose followed by osmotically obligated water. Eicosanoids from the 5-lipoxygenase pathway appear to regulate this process. Finally high concentrations of taurine in the bath opposed luminal fluid absorption, at least partially, by its secretion into the tubular lumen.

Electrophysiological investigation of microdissected gastric glands of bullfrog II. Basolateral membrane properties in the presence of histamine

Following the technical approach described in the preceding publication we have investigated if, and how, stimulation of gastric HCl secretion affects the basolateral ion transport properties of oxyntopeptic cells of Rana catesbeiana stomach. To this end microdissected gastric glands were punctured with conventional or H(+)-sensitive glass microelectrodes and the effects of changing bath ion concentrations on the cell membrane potential (Vb) and cell pH (pHi) were determined. Except for a transient alkalinization, histamine (0.5 mmol/l) did not significantly affect Vb or pHi. The latter averaged 7.18 +/- 0.03 (mean +/- SEM, n = 5) under resting conditions (0.1 mmol/l cimetidine) and 7.21 +/- 0.07 (n = 5) in the presence of histamine. In addition, neither the initial velocity nor the final steady-state value of the cell alkalinization following a 10:1 reduction of bath Cl- concentration changed in the presence of histamine, and the same holds true for the cell acidification following a 10:1 reduction of bath HCO3- concentration. These observations indicate that the basolateral Cl-/HCO3- exchanger was not stimulated by histamine, and that no other base transporters were activated. By contrast, the Vb response to elevation of bath K+ concentration decreased, and so did the initial depolarizing Vb response to bath Cl- substitution, while the secondary hyperpolarizing response increased. The latter observations are compatible with the notion that stimulation by histamine reduced a pH-insensitive part of the basolateral K+ conductance and reduced also the basolateral Cl- conductance.

An electrophysiological study of angiotensin II regulation of Na-HCO3 cotransport and K conductance in renal proximal tubules

The effect of picomolar concentrations of angiotensin II (AII) was investigated in isolated perfused rabbit renal proximal tubules using conventional or pH-sensitive intracellular microelectrodes. Under control conditions cell membrane potential (Vb) and cell pH (pHi) averaged -53.8 +/- 1.9 mV (mean +/- SEM, n = 49) and 7.24 +/- 0.01 (n = 10), respectively. AII (at 10(-11) mol/l), when applied from the bath (but not when applied from the lumen perfusate), produced the following effects: approximately 85% of the viable tubules responded with a small depolarization (+5.5 +/- 0.4 mV, n = 43) which was accompanied in half of the pHi measurements by a slow acidification (delta pHi = -0.03 +/- 0.01, n = 5). The remaining 15% responded with a small hyperpolarization (delta Vb = -3.1 +/- 0.4 mV, n = 6). All changes were fully reversible and repeatable. Experiments with fast changes in bath HCO3 or K concentrations, as well as measurements of the basolateral voltage divider fraction in response to transepithelial current flow, explain these observations as stimulation of a basolateral Na-HCO3 cotransporter and of a basolateral K conductance. Both counteract in their effect on Vb, but can be individuated by blocker experiments with 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS) and barium. Both the stimulation of Na-HCO3 cotransport and the stimulation of the K conductance may result from down-regulation of the level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate in the cell.

Potassium-induced chloride secretion across the frog retinal pigment epithelium

In the intact eye, a transition from light to dark increases K concentration ([K]o) from approximately 2 to 5 mM in the extracellular (subretinal) space between the photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) apical membrane. In control (HCO3/CO2) Ringer solution, 36Cl was actively absorbed across isolated bullfrog RPE (retina to choroid) at a rate of 0.31 +/- 0.02 (SE) mu eq.cm-2.h-1 (n = 15). Elevating apical [K]o from 2 to 5 mM reversed active 36Cl transport to secretion (choroid to retina), with a rate of 0.76 +/- 0.17 mu eq.cm-2.h-1. This reversal was completely inhibited by 1 mM 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) in either the apical or basal bath. In open circuit, elevating [K]o induced a similar reversal of net 36Cl flux and inhibited fluid absorption by approximately 25%. Apical Ba2+ (1 mM), decreased CO2 (5 to 1%), or increased apical bath HCO3 concentration ([HCO3]o) also caused a DIDS-inhibitable reversal of active 36Cl flux. A 10-fold reduction of apical bath Na or [HCO3]o significantly inhibited [K]o, Ba2+, and low CO2-induced Cl secretion. All of these results can be understood in terms of an intracellular pH-dependent stimulation of the basolateral membrane Cl-HCO3 exchanger.

The Na+-HCO 3 ? cotransporter operates with a coupling ratio of 2 HCO 3 ? to 1 Na+ in isolated rabbit renal proximal tubule

All the relevant literature reports indicate that net rates of salt and water absorption and cell membrane potentials (Vb) are lower, but intracellular Na+ concentration is higher in rabbit renal proximal tubule in vitro than in rat proximal tubule in vivo. Since the different driving forces should influence basolateral Na(+)-HCO3- cotransport we have studied the operation of the cotransporter in isolated rabbit renal proximal tubule in vitro with special emphasis on the stoichiometry of flux coupling (q). Using conventional and ion-selective intracellular microelectrodes three series of experiments were performed: (a) we determined the Vb response to a 2:1 reduction of bath HCO3- or Na+ concentration, (b) we determined initial efflux rates of HCO3- or Na+ ions in response to a sudden 10:1 reduction of bath HCO3- concentration, and (c) we collapsed the tubules and determined electrochemical driving forces of Na+ and HCO3- across the basolateral cell membrane under conditions approaching zero net flux in the control state in the presence of Ba2+- and in Cl(-)-free solutions. All measurements concurrently yielded a coupling ratio of approximately two HCO3- ions to one Na+ ion (q = 2). This result contrasts with the ratio q = 3, which we have previously observed in similar experiments on rat renal proximal tubule in vivo [Yoshitomi et al. (1985) Pflügers Arch 405:360] and which was also observed on rabbit renal basolateral cell membrane vesicles in vitro [Soleimani et al. (1987) J Clin Invest 79:1276].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Role of Na-dependent Cl/HCO3 exchange in basolateral Cl transport of rabbit proximal tubules.

To analyze the rate of basolateral Cl exit and the magnitude and relative contributions of KCl cotransport and Na-dependent and -independent Cl/HCO3 exchange to Cl exit across the basolateral membrane (BLM) during transcellular Cl absorption, rabbit proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) were perfused with high-Cl, low-HCO3 plus formate solutions and bathed with plasma ultrafiltrate-like plus formate solutions. The initial rates of intracellular Cl activity (AiCl) reduction following bath Cl removal were compared when bath Cl was 0, when bath Na and Cl were 0, and when bath HCO3 and Cl were 0. The initial rate of AiCl reduction following bath Cl removal was 4.4 +/- 0.4 mM/s. After bath Na and Cl removal, this rate was reduced to 25.1 +/- 5.0%. After bath HCO3 and Cl removal, it was reduced to 18.0 +/- 4.8%. The difference between bath Na and Cl removal and bath HCO3 and Cl removal was not significant. Cl efflux following bath HCO3 and Cl removal may be due to a KCl symporter. The contribution of a KCl symporter was examined by raising bath K to 20 mM, thus eliminating the chemical driving force for KCl exit. After bath K increase, the initial rate of AiCl increase was 0.057 +/- 0.005 mM/s. These data suggest that Cl efflux at BLM of rabbit PCT is 1) large enough to explain transcellular Cl transport, 2) predominately due to an Na-dependent Cl/HCO3 exchanger, and 3) negligibly due to an Na-independent Cl/HCO3 exchanger or a KCl symporter.

Acetazolamide inhibition of basolateral base exit in rabbit renal proximal tubule S2 segment.

The influence of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide (ACZ) was investigated on HCO3- transport mechanisms in the basolateral cell membrane of rabbit renal proximal tubule. Experiments were performed on isolated S2 segments using double-barrelled microelectrodes to measure cell membrane potential (Vb) and cell pH (pH(i)) during step changes in bath perfusate ion concentrations. Peritubular application of ACZ (1 mmol/l) reduced the initial Vb response to 10:1 reduction of bath HCO3- concentration only slightly, from +53.8 +/- 4.2 mV to +49.1 +/- 0.3 mV (n = 5), but caused an intermittent overshooting repolarization in the secondary Vb response. In conjunction with these effects it left the initial pH(i)) response virtually unchanged but induced a secondary slow acidification. These observation indicate that--under the present experimental conditions--ACZ does not block the Na(+)-HCO3- cotransporter but acts via inhibition of cytosolic carbonic anhydrase. This was confirmed by studying the effect of elevated intracellular HCO3- concentrations under reduced flux conditions and by comparing the concentration dependence of the Vb response with the inhibition kinetics of cytosolic carbonic anhydrase. In contrast, peritubular ACZ inhibited Na(+)-independent Cl-/HCO3- exchange in the basolateral cell membrane of S2 segments directly in a similar way to that described in the preceding publication for S3 segments.

Mineralocorticoids and acidosis regulate H+/HCO3- transport of intercalated cells.

The effects of acidosis and mineralocorticoids on cellular H+/HCO3- transport mechanisms were examined in intercalated cells of the outer stripe of outer medullary collecting duct (OMCDo) from rabbit. Intracellular pH (pHi) of intercalated cells was monitored by fluorescence ratio imaging using 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). pHi recovered from an acid load at 2.8 +/- 0.5 x 10(-3) pHU/s in the absence of ambient Na+. This pHi recovery rate was similar in chronic acidosis induced by NH4Cl loading, but it was enhanced (+111%) by treatment with deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA). In a DOCA-treated group, luminal 10 microM SCH28080 and 0.1 mM omeprazole, H(+)-K(+)-ATPase inhibitors, did not change the pHi recovery rate, while luminal 0.5 mM N-ethylmaleimide blocked the rate by 68%. DOCA, but not acidosis, increased (approximately 40%) initial pHi response to bath HCO3- or Cl- reduction in Na(+)-free condition. After an acid load in the absence of Na+ and HCO3-, pHi response to basolateral Na+ addition was stimulated (+66%) by acidosis, but not by DOCA. Our results suggest that (a) mineralocorticoids stimulate H+/HCO3- transport mechanisms involved in transepithelial H+ secretion, i.e., a luminal NEM-sensitive H+ pump and basolateral Na(+)-independent Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange; and (b) acidosis enhances the activity of basolateral Na(+)-H+ exchange that may be responsible for pHi regulation.

Functional characterization of alpha- and beta-intercalated cell types in rabbit cortical collecting duct

Single-cell electrical measurements and spectrophotometric determinations of intracellular pH were used to determine unique features of alpha- and beta-intercalated cells (alpha-IC, beta-IC) in in vitro perfused rabbit cortical collecting ducts (CCD). pHi rose in alpha-IC and fell in beta-IC after bath Cl- removal. Luminal Cl- removal did not change pHi of alpha-IC, but pHi of beta-IC rose by 0.36 +/- 0.01 pH units. Cl- concentration-dependent recovery of beta-IC pHi revealed a Cl- Km of 18.7 mM for the luminal Cl(-) -HCO3- exchanger. Measurements of basolateral membrane voltage (Vbl) also showed two IC cell types. Removal of luminal Cl- did not change Vbl in alpha-IC, whereas Vbl hyperpolarized by a mean of 73.2 +/- 3.5 mV in beta-IC. Reducing bath Cl- depolarized both alpha- and beta-IC Vbl. In alpha-IC a large repolarization of 39.8 +/- 5.2 mV followed acute depolarization after bath Cl- removal. Reducing bath HCO3- (constant CO2) had little effect on beta-IC Vbl, whereas alpha-IC Vbl depolarized by 5.2 +/- 0.7 mV. Reducing luminal HCO3- in the absence of luminal Cl- produced a 17.6 +/- 1.8 mV depolarization in beta-IC. This change was independent of luminal Na+ and was not blocked by luminal 10(-4) M 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS). In beta-IC, Vbl was not altered by either bath or lumen DIDS in the presence of luminal Cl-. However, when luminal Cl- was removed, luminal DIDS reversibly depolarized Vbl by 9.6 +/- 2.9 mV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of bicarbonate on potassium conductance of isolated perfused rat pancreatic ducts

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the K+ conductance in unstimulated and stimulated pancreatic ducts and to see how it is affected by provision of exogenous HCO3-/CO2. For this purpose we have applied electrophysiological techniques to perfused pancreatic ducts, which were dissected from rat pancreas. The basolateral membrane potential PDbl of unstimulated duct cells was between -60 mV and -70 mV, and the cells had a relatively large K+ conductance in the basolateral membrane as demonstrated by (a) 20-22 mV depolarization of PDbl in response to increase in bath K+ concentration from 5 mmol/l to 20 mmol/l and (b) the effect of a K+ channel blocker, Ba2+ (5 mmol/l), which depolarized PDbl by 30-40 mV. These effects on unstimulated ducts were relatively independent of bath HCO3-/CO2. The luminal membrane seemed to have no significant K+ conductance. Upon stimulation with secretin or dibutyryl cyclic AMP, PDbl depolarized to about -35 mV in the presence of HCO3-/CO2. Notably, the K+ conductance in the stimulated ducts was now only apparent in the presence of exogenous HCO3-/CO2 in the bath solutions. Upon addition of Ba2+, PDbl depolarized by 13 +/- 1 mV (n = 7), the fractional resistance of the basolateral membrane, FRbl increased from 0.66 to 0.78 (n = 6), the specific transepithelial resistance, Rte, increased from 52 +/- 13 omega cm2 to 59 +/- 15 omega cm2 (n = 11), and the whole-cell input resistance, Rc, measured with double-barrelled electrodes, increased from 20 M omega to 26 M omega (n = 3).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Mechanisms of inhibition of proximal acidification by PTH.

The parathyroid hormone (PTH) effects on luminal Na-H exchange and basolateral Na-HCO3 cotransport were examined in isolated perfused rabbit proximal convoluted tubules. Lumen pH (pHi) and cell pH (pHi) were measured by a fluorescent technique using 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). The time course of the PTH effect on proximal acidification was first determined by continuous monitoring of pHi in a stop-flow condition. PTH 10(-8) M added to the bath promptly inhibited the acid pHl generation. Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) (10(-4) M) added to the bath mimicked the PTH effect. Luminal Na-H exchange was assayed by monitoring changes in pHi (dpHi/dt) in response to luminal Na+ removal in HCO3- free condition. The addition of PTH or cAMP for 5 min decreased dpHi/dt by 30 and 37%, respectively. Basolateral Na-HCO3 cotransport was assayed by measuring dpHi/dt caused by bath Na+ removal. The addition of PTH or cAMP for 5 min did not change the dpHi/dt. PTH also did not alter the dpHi/dt induced by reducing the bath HCO3- from 25 to 5 mM. The addition of PTH or cAMP to the bath slightly reduced pHi by 0.05. These results suggest that 1) PTH inhibits proximal acidification very rapidly and the effect reached a maximum within 10 min, 2) PTH rapidly inhibits luminal Na-H exchange but not basolateral Na-HCO3 cotransport in a short period, and 3) this effect is at least partly mediated by cAMP-dependent mechanisms.

Cl-HCO3 exchange and Na-HCO3 symport in rabbit outer medullary collecting duct cells

The mechanisms of basolateral HCO3- (or related base) transport were examined in the outer stripe of the outer medullary collecting duct (OMCDo). Rabbit OMCDo were perfused in vitro and cell pH (pHi) of principal cells (PC) and intercalated cells (IC) was monitored with 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) using fluorescence ratio imaging microscopy. Basolateral HCO3- exit was stimulated either by bath HCO3- reduction or by NH3/NH4(+)-induced cell alkalinization. Rates of pHi decrease were twice as high in IC than in PC. In both cell types HCO3- exit was dependent on Cl(-)-coupled and Na(+)-coupled mechanisms; the former was dominant in IC, whereas the latter was dominant in PC. pHi of PC and IC significantly increased by bath Cl- removal in the absence of Na+ and decreased by bath Na+ removal in the absence of Cl- but with amiloride. 4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) inhibited these pHi responses to a reduction of bath HCO3-, Cl-, or Na+, and an alkali loading. Our results suggest that 1) the capacity for basolateral HCO3- transport is twice as high in IC than in PC, 2) both PC and IC possess basolateral Na(+)-independent Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange and Na(+)-HCO3- cotransport, and 3) basolateral HCO3- transport is mediated mainly by Na(+)-HCO3- cotransport in PC and by Na(+)-independent Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange in IC.

Further studies of electrogenic Na+/HCO cotransport in glial cells of necturus optic nerve: Regulation of pHi

In the presence of Ba++, an increase in the bath HCO3- at constant CO2 (i.e., variable bath pH) produced a hyperpolarization. The hyperpolarizing effect of adding HCO3-/CO2 at constant bath pH was not significantly affected by the presence of 50 mumol/l strophanthidin. In the absence of Ba++, addition of HCO3-/CO2 at constant bath pH produced a Na(+)-dependent hyperpolarization. Therefore, CO2 movements, electrogenic Na+/K+ pump activity and changes in Ba++ binding do not contribute significantly to the hyperpolarization induced by HCO3-. These results along with the results of previous studies (Astion et al: J Gen Physiol 93:731, 1989) strongly suggest that the hyperpolarization induced by the addition of HCO3- is due to an electrogenic Na+/HCO3- cotransporter, which transports Na+, HCO3- (or its equivalent), and net negative charge across the glial membrane. To study the role of electrogenic Na+/HCO3- cotransport in the regulation of pHi in glial cells, we used intracellular double-barreled, pH-sensitive microelectrodes. At a bath pH of 7.5, the mean initial intracellular pH (pHi) was 7.32 (SD 0.03, n = 6) in HEPES-buffered Ringer's solution and 7.39 (SD 0.1, n = 6) in HCO3-/CO2 buffered solution. These values for pHi are more than 1.2 pH units alkaline to the pHi predicted from a passive distribution of protons; thus, these cells actively regulate pHi. Superfusion and withdrawal of 15 mmol/l NH4+ induced an acidification of 0.2 to 0.3 pH units, which recovered toward the original steady-state pHi.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Principal cells of cortical collecting ducts of the rat are not a route of transepithelial Cl? transport

The rat cortical collecting duct (CCD) exhibits high rates of NaCl reabsorption when stimulated by mineralocorticoid and antidiuretic hormone (ADH). The present study was undertaken to determine if there is significant transcellular Cl- movement across the principal cells of the rat CCD. CCDs were dissected from kidneys of rats that had been injected with deoxycorticosterone (5 mg, i.m.) 2-9 days prior to the experiment. The ducts were perfused in vitro with identical perfusing and bathing solutions, except that 200 pmol.l-1 ADH was added to the bathing solutions. The basolateral membrane voltage (PDbl) of principal cells was -77 +/- 1 mV and the luminal membrane voltage (PD1) was -68 +/- 1 mV (mean +/- SEM, n = 124). Separate impalements with single-barrelled Cl(-)-selective microelectrodes gave an apparent intracellular Cl- activity of principal cells of 17 +/- 2 mmol.l-1. Transepithelial PD and PDbl were unaffected by luminal furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide (HCT), 4-acetamido-4-isothiocyanostilbene2,2-disulphonic acid, (SITS), or the Cl- channel blocker 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB); bath addition of SITS or the Cl- channel blocker diphenylamino-2-carboxylic acid; or replacement of bath HCO3- by Cl-. The intracellular Cl- activity (a(cell)Cl) also remained unchanged with the addition of HCT, SITS or the Cl- channel blockers to either the perfusing or bathing solutions, or with replacement of the bathing solution HCO3-.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Basolateral membrane sodium-independent Cl-/HCO3- exchanger in rat inner medullary collecting duct cell.

Previous studies have shown that the middle third of the rat inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD-2) secretes protons despite the absence of intercalated cells, the cell thought to secrete protons in other portions of the collecting duct. A new cell, the IMCD cell, is the predominant cell in IMCD-2. The mechanism responsible for base exit in the IMCD cell was characterized by measuring cell pH of isolated perfused tubules with 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein. Reduction of bath HCO3- caused a significant and reversible decrease in cell pH, whereas a similar change in luminal HCO3- had a significantly smaller effect, indicating that the HCO3-/H+ permeability of the basolateral membrane is much larger than the apical membrane. The rate of cell acidification induced by reduction in bath HCO3-, a measure of basolateral HCO3- transport, was significantly decreased in the absence of bath and lumen Cl. Decreases in bath Cl caused a significant and reversible increase in cell pH, which was not changed significantly by complete removal of Na from perfusate and bath, but was significantly inhibited by basolateral 4',5'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid. A chemical voltage clamp did not inhibit the rate of cell alkalinization after bath Cl removal, indicating that Cl-/HCO3- exchange is not via parallel Cl and HCO3- conductances. Cell pH was measured in single cells by low-light-level imaging to show that most cells contain the chloride-dependent HCO3- pathway. We conclude that the rat IMCD cell possesses a basolateral Na-independent CL-/HCO3- exchanger which may serve as the base exit step for transepithelial proton secretion.

Chloride transport across the basolateral membrane of rabbit proximal convoluted tubules

To examine the basolateral Cl transport mechanisms of proximal convoluted tubules (PCT), intracellular Cl activity (AiCl) was measured with double-barreled Cl-selective microelectrodes. When rabbit PCT were perfused in vitro with high Cl, low HCO3, and bathed with ultrafiltrate-like solutions, AiCl was 29.9 +/- 0.4 mM and basolateral membrane voltage (Vbl) was -47.7 +/- 0.4 mV (n = 247). Possible basolateral Cl transport mechanisms that we examined were as follows: Cl conductance, KCl cotransport, and Na-dependent Cl-HCO3 exchange. Cl conductance was negligible, since the voltage clamp of Vbl to 30 mV above and below the spontaneous Vbl did not change AiCl even in the absence of luminal Cl. KCl cotransport was suggested by 1) increasing bath K, increased AiCl, and 2) decreasing bath K decreased AiCl. KCl cotransport was Na independent and 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS), barium, and furosemide insensitive. Na-dependent Cl-HCO3 exchange was suggested by 1) bath HCO3 reduction increased AiCl, which was greatly inhibited by bath Na removal or bath SITS, and 2) bath Na removal increased AiCl, which was completely blocked by bath SITS. We conclude that 1) Cl conductance is negligibly small at the basolateral membrane and 2) SITS-insensitive KCl cotransport and SITS-sensitive Na-dependent Cl-HCO3 exchange are present at the basolateral membrane.

Effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors on basolateral base transport of rabbit proximal straight tubule.

The effect of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors on basolateral base transport was examined in rabbit proximal straight tubules (S2 segment) perfused in vitro by double-barreled pH microelectrodes. Bath HCO3- reduction or Na+ removal induced an initial basolateral voltage (Vbl) depolarization followed by a late-phase depolarization. Administration of 1 mM acetazolamide (ACTZ) to the bath fluid caused a small inhibition of the initial depolarization, and a larger inhibition of the late phase depolarization. Bath HCO3- reduction decreased intracellular pH (pHi), and this pHi decrease was attenuated by ACTZ. Bath Na+ removal also decreased pHi, and this pHi decrease was completely blocked by ACTZ. However, a slow pHi decrease was observed in response to bath Na+ removal when the bath fluid contained ACTZ and the luminal fluid contained 4 mM amiloride. The addition of ACTZ or ethoxyzolamide to the bath caused a rapid Vbl hyperpolarization and pHi increase. These results demonstrate that carbonic anhydrase inhibitors inhibit basolateral Na(HCO3)n transport in intact rabbit proximal tubule cells (S2). The data suggest that at least one of the base species transported by the transporter is HCO3-, and cytosolic carbonic anhydrase is important in converting intracellular OH- to HCO3-.