pH-stat experiments in proximal renal tubules.

The pH-stat technique has been used to measure H+ fluxes in gastric mucosa and urinary bladder "in vitro" while keeping mucosal pH constant. We now report application of this method in renal tubules. We perfused proximal tubules with double-barreled micropipettes, blocked luminal fluid columns with oil and used a double-barreled Sb/reference microelectrode to measure pH, and Sb or 1 N HC1-filled microelectrodes to inject OH- or H+ ions into the tubule lumen. By varying current injection, pH was kept constant at adjustable levels by an electronic clamping circuit. We could thus obtain ratios of current (nA) to pH change (apparent H(+)-ion conductance). These ratios were reduced after luminal 10(-4) M acetazolamide, during injection of OH-, but they increased during injection of H+. The point-like injection source causes pH to fall off with distance from the injecting electrode tip even in oil-blocked segments. Therefore, a method analogous to cable analysis was used to obtain H+ fluxes per cm2 epithelium. The relation between JH+ and pH gradient showed saturation kinetics of H fluxes, both during OH- and H+ injection. This kinetic behavior is compatible with inhibition of JH by luminal H+. It is also compatible with dependence on Na+ and H+ gradients of a saturable Na/H exchanger. H(+)-ion back-flux into the tubule lumen also showed saturation kinetics. This suggests that H+ flow is mediated by a membrane component, most likely the Na(+)-H+ exchanger.

Filtered load of buffer and renal H-ion secretion: mechanism of proximal tubule load dependence.

When the filtered load of buffers like bicarbonate or phosphate is increased by elevating GFR or buffer concentration in plasma, the overall renal reabsorption of bicarbonate or the formation of titratable acidity are markedly increased. The same happens when buffer concentration or flow rate are varied during proximal microperfusion. We have recently studied the mechanisms of this functional dependence. We have observed that the rate of bicarbonate reabsorption is always proportional to luminal buffer concentration when a stationary fluid column is injected into the proximal lumen. H-ion secretion is also proportional to luminal levels of non-bicarbonate buffers. Using a pH-stat technique adapted to renal tubules, we have shown that H-ion secretion is dependent on proximal pH independently of the used buffer species. A kinetic analysis of these data shows a non-linear relationship between luminal H+ and H+ secretion, compatible with carrier mediated transport.

Filtered load of buffer and renal H-ion secretion: mechanism of proximal tubule load dependence.

When the filtered load of buffers like bicarbonate or phosphate is increased by elevating GFR or buffer concentration in plasma, the overall renal reabsorption of bicarbonate or the formation of titratable acidity are markedly increased. The same happens when buffer concentration or flow rate are varied during proximal microperfusion. We have recently studied the mechanisms of this functional dependence. We have observed that the rate of bicarbonate reabsorption is always proportional to luminal buffer concentration when a stationary fluid column is injected into the proximal lumen. H-ion secretion is also proportional to luminal levels of non-bicarbonate buffers. Using a pH-stat technique adapted to renal tubules, we have shown that H-ion secretion is dependent on proximal pH independently of the used buffer species. A kinetic analysis of these data shows a non-linear relationship between luminal H+ and H+ secretion, compatible with carrier mediated transport.

Effects of sexual arousal on schizophrenics: a comparative test of hypotheses derived from ego psychology and arousal theory.

Two divergent theories make differential predictions with regard to the impact of sexual stimulation on schizophrenics. Relative to normals, psychoanalytic ego psychology predicts greater sexual arousal in schizophrenics, while the arousal theories predict decreased responsiveness. Fourteen chronic nonparanoid schizophrenic outpatient males and 16 normal males participated in a 2X2 mixed factor experiment with one between factor (schizophrenics vs. normals) and one within factor (sexual vs. neutral stimuli). Dependent measures included looking time, associative sexual responses, associative response latencies, and self-report ratings. A significant interaction for looking time provided empirical support for the psychoanalytic ego psychological position, Results suggest that schizophrenics are less defensive than normals in regard to looking at sexual stimuli, theoretically because of ego deficits that adversely affect repression and other mechanisms of defense.