Insulin stimulates Na+, Cl-, Ca2+, and Mg2+ transports in TAL of mouse nephron: cross-potentiation with AVP.

Insulin (Ins) decreases Na+ delivery in the final urine. To determine whether the loop of Henle participates in this reduction, the effects of Ins were tested on cortical (CTAL) and medullary thick ascending limbs (MTAL) of the mouse nephron, microperfused in vitro. In the MTAL, Ins increased the transepithelial potential difference (Vt) and the Na+ and Cl- net reabsorption fluxes (JNa and JCl, respectively) in a dose-dependent manner, the threshold being below 10(-9) M. At 10(-7) M, Ins reversibly increased JNa and JCl, leaving Mg2+ and Ca2+ fluxes (JMg and JCa, respectively) close to zero. In the CTAL, 10(-7) M Ins reversibly increased Vt, JNa, JCl, JMg, and JCa. In CTAL segments perfused under asymmetrical conditions, with a bath-to-lumen-directed NaCl gradient (lumen 50 mM NaCl, bath 150 mM NaCl), addition of 10(-7) M Ins to the bath resulted in a large increase in JMg and JCa. Thus the responses of CTAL and MTAL to Ins are in all ways similar to those already reported for the adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-generating hormones acting on these nephron segments. When 10(-10) M arginine vasopressin (AVP) and 10(-7) M Ins were used in combination, previous addition of one hormone to the bath potentiated the response to the second hormone. In cAMP accumulation experiments, performed in the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, the amounts of cAMP formed with 10(-7) M Ins and 10(-10) M AVP (which elicit maximal physiological responses in these segments) were in the same range.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ transport in the cortical and medullary thick ascending limb of the rat nephron: influence of transepithelial voltage.

Isolated segments of rat cortical (cTAL) and medullary (mTAL) thick ascending limbs were microperfused and the transepithelial net fluxes (JX) were determined by measuring the composition of the collected fluid with an electron microprobe. When perfused with symmetrical solutions both segments showed similar JNa and JCl and lumen-positive transepithelial voltage (Vte = 7-8 mV). JMg, JCa and JK were not significantly different from zero. When perfused with asymmetrical solutions (lumen 50 mM, bath 150 mM NaCl), the mean Vte were 23 mV and 17 mV in the cTAL and mTAL respectively; this rise was accompanied by significant increases in JMg and JCa in the cTAL, but not in the mTAL, and a marked increase in JK in both segments. It is concluded that, in the rat, divalent cations can be reabsorbed in the cTAL, and K+ can be reabsorbed in the cTAL and mTAL. The transport is voltage-dependent. The mTAL can reabsorb neither Mg2+ nor Ca2+, whatever Vte.

Transepithelial Ca2+ and Mg2+ transport in the cortical thick ascending limb of Henle's loop of the mouse is a voltage-dependent process.

The mechanisms responsible for transepithelial Ca2+ and Mg2+ in transport in the isolated perfused cortical thick ascending limb (cTAL) of Henle's loop of the mouse nephron were investigated by measuring transepithelial voltages (PDte) and transepithelial ion net fluxes (JNa, JCl, JK, JCa, JMg) by electron microprobe analysis. In the presence of furosemide (10(-4) mol.l-1, lumen) and diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC, 10(-4) mol.l-1, bath), known inhibitors of NaCl reabsorption in the TAL, Ca2+ and Mg2+ reabsorption was completely inhibited. In the presence of furosemide, JCa fell from 0.75 +/- 0.07 to -0.08 +/- 0.09 pmol.min-1.mm-1 (n = 5), and JMg from 0.47 +/- 0.04 to -0.01 +/- 0.11 pmol.min-1.mm-1 (n = 5). In the presence of DPC, JCa fell from 0.57 +/- 0.08 to -0.07 +/- 0.11 pmol.min-1.mm-1 (n = 5), and JMg from 0.16 +/- 0.02 to -0.11 +/- 0.07 pmol.min-1.mm-1 (n = 5). With furosemide, inhibition of Ca2+ and Mg2+ transport was paralleled by a 93% inhibition of NaCl reabsorption, while in the presence of DPC there was a 60% reduction of NaCl reabsorption. These effects were fully reversed after removal of the inhibitors from the lumen or bath solutions. In the absence of active NaCl transport, a lumen-to-bath directed-NaCl gradient (lumen: 150 mM NaCl + furosemide, bath: 50 mM NaCl + 200 mM mannitol) generated a negative transepithelial dilution potential of -13.8 +/- 1.1 mV (n = 8) which induced a significant Ca2+ and Mg2+ secretion into the tubular lumen of -0.59 +/- 0.06 and -0.43 +/- 0.05 pmol.min-1.mm-1 (n = 8), respectively. A bath-to-lumen-directed NaCl gradient, on the other hand, (lumen: 50 mM NaCl + furosemide, bath: 150 mM NaCl) generated a positive transepithelial dilution potential of +15.9 +/- 0.6 mV (n = 7), inducing a significant Ca2+ and Mg2+ reabsorption of 0.62 +/- 0.08 and 0.38 +/- 0.07 pmol.min-1.mm-1 (n = 7), respectively. Linear regression analysis of individual Ca2+ and Mg2+ net flux data versus voltage indicated that JCa and JMg were highly correlated to PDte. In conclusion, these data indicate that transepithelial Ca2+ and Mg2+ reabsorption in the mouse cTAL is predominantly a passive process, driven by the lumen-positive PDte.

Hormonal stimulation of Ca2+ and Mg2+ transport in the cortical thick ascending limb of Henle's loop of the mouse: evidence for a change in the paracellular pathway permeability.

Recent studies from our laboratory have shown that in the cortical thick ascending limb of Henle's loop of the mouse (cTAL) Ca2+ and Mg2+ are reabsorbed passively, via the paracellular shunt pathway. In the present study, cellular mechanisms responsible for the hormone-stimulated Ca2+ and Mg2+ transport were investigated. Transepithelial voltages (PDte) and transepithelial ion net fluxes (JNa, JCl, JK, JCa, JMg) were measured in isolated perfused mouse cTAL segments. Whether parathyroid hormone (PTH) is able to stimulate Ca2+ and Mg2+ reabsorption when active NaCl reabsorption and thus PDte, is abolished by luminal furosemide was first tested. With symmetrical lumen and bath Ringer's solutions, no Ca2+ and Mg2+ net transport was detectable, either in the absence or in the presence of PTH. In the presence of luminal furosemide and a chemically imposed lumen-to-bath directed NaCl gradient, which generates a lumen-negative PDte, PTH slightly but significantly increased Ca2+ and Mg2+ net secretion. In the presence of luminal furosemide and a chemically imposed bath-to-lumen-directed NaCl gradient, which generates a lumen-positive PDte, PTH slightly but significantly increased Ca2+ and Mg2+ net reabsorption. In view of the observed small effect of PTH on passive Ca2+ and Mg2+ movement, a possible interference of furosemide with the hormonal response was considered. To investigate this possibility, Ca2+ and Mg2+ transport was first stimulated with PTH in tubules under control conditions. Then active NaCl reabsorption was abolished by furosemide and the effect of PTH on JCa and JMg measured. In the absence of PDte and under symmetrical conditions, no Ca2+ and Mg2+ transport was detectable, either in the presence or absence of PTH. In the presence of a bath-to-lumen-directed NaCl gradient, Ca2+ and Mg2+ reabsorption was significantly higher in the presence than in the absence of PTH. Finally, when active NaCl transport was not inhibited by furosemide, but reduced by a bath-to-lumen-directed NaCl gradient, PTH strongly increased JCa and JMg, whereas only a small increase in PDte was noted. In conclusion, these data suggest that PTH exerts a dual action on Ca2+ and Mg2+ transport in the mouse cTAL by increasing the transepithelial driving force for Ca2+ and Mg2+ reabsorption through hormone-mediated PDte alterations and by modifying the passive permeability for Ca2+ and Mg2+ of the epithelium, very probably at the level of the paracellular shunt pathway.

Effects of calcitonin on function of intercalated cells of rat cortical collecting duct.

In the rat cortical collecting duct (CCD), the presence of highly specific receptors to calcitonin (CT) coupled to a sensitive adenylate cyclase system suggests that this segment is a target site for CT. Our aim was to explore the effects of CT on the rat CCD microperfused in vitro. The hormone failed to alter the osmotic water permeability and did not affect net Na+ transport but generated a lumen-positive transepithelial potential difference (PDte), which under control conditions was close to zero. This response was dose dependent and was still observed in the presence of luminal amiloride, despite the luminal positivity generated by the Na+ channel blocker (PDte increased from 4.0 +/- 0.8 to 9.5 +/- 1.1 mV). In contrast, the nominal absence of CO2/HCO3- or the use of a low-Cl- solution totally prevented the PDte changes caused by CT. The CT-induced lumen-positive PDte was reduced by 2.3 +/- 0.8 mV after the basolateral addition of the Cl- channel inhibitor diphenylamine-2-carboxylate. 4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid and acetazolamide, which inhibit Cl-/HCO3- exchangers and carbonic anhydrase activities, respectively, also inhibited the CT-induced PDte by 4.6 +/- 0.5 and 5.0 +/- 0.9 mV. To test whether the acid-base status of the animals influences the response to CT, rats underwent an acid or alkali load. CCD dissected from acid-loaded rats responded to CT to the same extent as control animals, but the hormonal action was significantly attenuated when the CCD was harvested from alkali-loaded rats (PDte increases: acid 4.0 +/- 0.3 vs. alkali 1.6 +/- 0.6 mV, P < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Plasma vasopressin and cortical nephron function in aging rats.

The role of vasopressin and Henle's loop transport in age-related polyuria and decrease in urine osmolality was investigated in female WAG/Rij rats free of kidney disease. In these animals, urine osmolality dropped from 2000 mosmol/kg H2O to 1000-1200 mosmol/kg H2O between 10 and 30 months, and urinary volume increased in proportion. Vasopressin concentration measured in plasma withdrawn from conscious, unrestrained, chronically catheterized rats was not significantly different in 10, 20 and 30-month-old animals (mean values 2.5 +/- 0.7, 2.2 +/- 0.2 and 2.0 +/- 0.3 pg/ml (n = 8), respectively). This suggests an impaired responsiveness of old kidney to antidiuretic hormone. The possible involvement of Henle's loop in this defect was studied by micropuncture. Paired collections of tubular fluid were done in the early distal and late proximal convolutions of the same cortical nephrons. Single nephron filtration rates did not significantly differ with age. Tubular fluid osmolalities in the early distal convolution were 165 +/- 13, 178 +/- 9 and 160 +/- 11 (n = 14) mosmol/kg H2O in 10-, 20- and 30-month-old rats, indicating similar diluting capacity of the cortical thick ascending limb. The amount of sodium transported from lumen to peritubular space by Henle's loop was also unchanged with age as were water, calcium, magnesium and potassium reabsorptions. These data indicate that the age-related decrease in urine osmolality is not related to either a significant reduced vasopressin plasma concentration or an increased single glomerular filtration rate or a reduced transport capacity of Henle's loop of the cortical nephron. Rather they suggest an impaired response to vasopressin of other segments of the nephron that is, the medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and/or the collecting duct.

Glucagon inhibits water and NaCl transports in the proximal convoluted tubule of the rat kidney.

The effects of glucagon on water and electrolyte transport in the kidney were investigated on hormone-deprived rats, i.e. thyroparathyroidectomized diabetes insipidus Brattleboro rats infused with somatostatin. Glucagon consistently inhibited the reabsorption of water and Na+, Cl-, K+ and Ca2+ along the proximal tubule accessible to micropuncture, leaving the reabsorption of inorganic phosphate (Pi) untouched. In the loop, besides its previously described stimulatory effects on Na+, Cl-, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ reabsorption, glucagon strongly inhibited Pi reabsorption, very probably in the proximal straight tubule. These effects resulted in a significant phosphaturia and considerable reductions of Mg2+ and Ca2+ excretions. The effects of glucagon at both the whole kidney and the nephron levels are very similar to those previously described for calcitonin. In the absence of an adenylate cyclase system sensitive to glucagon and calcitonin in the rat proximal tubule, and from the analogy of their physiological effects with those elicited by parathyroid hormone, it is suggested that glucagon and calcitonin exert their inhibitory effects on Na and Pi reabsorption in the proximal tubule through another pathway, which could be the phosphoinositide regulatory cascade.

Stimulation of NaCl reabsorption by antidiuretic hormone in the cortical thick ascending limb of Henle's loop of the mouse.

The effect of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) on transepithelial Na+ Cl-, Ca2+ and Mg2+ net fluxes (JNa, JCl, JMg, JCa) was investigated in isolated perfused cortical thick ascending limb segments (cTAL) of the mouse nephron, using the microperfusion technique and the electron microprobe analysis to determine the ionic composition of the collected tubular fluid. Simultaneously, the transepithelial potential difference (PDte) and the transepithelial resistance (Rte) were recorded. Prior to the flux measurements cTAL segments were perfused for one hour. During this equilibration period PDte decreased significantly from +19.9 +/- 1.6 to +14.9 +/- 1.1 mV and Rte increased from 30.6 +/- 3.5 omega cm2 to 38.8 +/- 2.4 omega cm2 (n = 7), reflecting a decline in NaCl transport. After ADH was added to the bath solution at 10(-10) mol.l-1, PDte increased from +14.4 +/- 1.1 to +18.0 +/- 1.5 mV, accompanied by a rise in JNa and JCl from 205 +/- 11 to 273 +/- 19 and from 216 +/- 12 to 283 +/- 21 pmol.min-1.mm-1 (n = 7), respectively. JCa and JMg also increased from 0.81 +/- 0.07 to 1.50 +/- 0.12 and from 0.43 +/- 0.11 to 0.76 +/- 0.08 pmol.min-1.mm-1 (n = 7), respectively. All these effects were fully reversible after withdrawal of the hormone. In conclusion our data indicate that ADH stimulates divalent cation transport and NaCl transport in the cortical thick ascending limb of Henle's loop of the mouse.

Consequences of differential effects of ADH and other peptide hormones on thick ascending limb of mammalian kidney.

Several hormones stimulate the adenylate cyclase system of the thick ascending limb (TAL). There are, however, some species differences concerning the cyclase sensitivity and the hormonal response in this nephron segment. In the mouse, antidiuretic hormone (ADH), parathyroid hormone, glucagon, calcitonin, and isoproterenol stimulate Na+, Cl-, Mg2+, and Ca2+ transports in the cortical TAL, whereas ADH, glucagon, and isoproterenol stimulate NaCl transport only in the medullary TAL. Many of these effects are different from those previously described for the corresponding segments of the rabbit nephron. The close similarity of the cyclase responsiveness to hormones of the mouse and rat TALs makes it possible to interpret the micropuncture data obtained in vivo in the rat superficial (S) and juxtamedullary (JM) nephrons, in the light of the in vitro data obtained in the mouse. Long-term treatment of Brattleboro rats with ADH also elicits differential effects along the TAL. Their consequences on the function of the S and JM nephrons are also examined. There are several indications supporting the view that the newly described hormonal effects in the mouse and rat are of physiological relevance.

Single-nephron filtration rate and proximal reabsorption in aging rats.

Age-related changes in the function of individual nephrons were investigated by micropuncture experiments measuring single-nephron filtration rates (SNGFR) and proximal reabsorptions in 10-, 20-, and 30-mo-old rats. The animals were female WAG/Rij rats with low incidence of chronic progressive nephropathy, no loss of nephrons, and renal hypertrophy of both kidneys in the oldest animals. Mean SNGFR values per gram kidney weight were 41.4 +/- 1.1, 37.1 +/- 1.5, and 32.2 +/- 1.1 nl.min-1.g kidney wt-1 (n = 41) in the 10-, 20-, and 30-mo-old animals, respectively. This age-related decrease in filtration was no longer apparent when SNGFR values were expressed per nephron (means 24.3 +/- 0.7, 23.7 +/- 0.9, and 24.4 +/- 0.9 nl/min. Individual filtered loads of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium and their absolute reabsorption by the proximal tubule were not different in the three age groups; however, absolute and fractional reabsorptions of phosphate decreased significantly in the 30-mo-old rats. These results indicate that, with the exception of phosphate, individual filtrations and proximal reabsorptions are well maintained in aging rats free of disease. This may be related to the observed renal hypertrophy.

Effects of parathyroid hormone and calcitonin on Na+, Cl-, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ transport in cortical and medullary thick ascending limbs of mouse kidney.

The effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on transepithelial Na+, Cl-, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ transport was investigated in isolated perfused cortical thick ascending limbs (cTAL) and that of human calcitonin (hCT) was tested in both cortical and medullary thick ascending limbs (mTAL) of the mouse nephron. The transepithelial ion net fluxes (Jx) were determined by electron probe analysis of the perfused and collected fluids. Simultaneously, the transepithelial voltage (PDte) and resistance (Rte) were recorded. In cTAL segments, PTH and hCT significantly stimulated the reabsorption of Na+, Cl-, Ca2+ and Mg2+, hCT generated a net K+ secretion towards the lumen and PTH tended to exert the same effect. Neither PDte nor Rte were significantly altered by either PTH or hCT. However, in the post-experimental period a significant decrease in PDte was noted. Time control experiments carried out under similar conditions revealed a significant decrease in PDte with time, which could have masked the hormonal response. In mTAL segments, Mg2+ and Ca2+ transport was close to zero, hCT did not exert any detectable effect on either PDte or Jcl-, JNa+, JK+, JMg2+ and JCa2+ in these segments. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that PTH and hCT stimulate NaCl reabsorption as well as Mg2+ and Ca2+ reabsorption in the cTAL segment of the mouse. These data are in agreement with and extend data obtained in vivo in the rat.

Isoproterenol increases Ca, Mg, and NaCl reabsorption in mouse thick ascending limb.

The effect of isoproterenol (Iso) on tubular transport in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (TAL) was investigated by in vitro microperfusion of MTAL (medullary) and CTAL (cortical) from White Swiss mouse kidney. The pattern of activation of adenylate cyclase along the distal tubule was investigated in this strain: results indicated that Iso stimulated adenylate cyclase fivefold in MTAL and ninefold in CTAL. Data from microperfusion experiments showed that Iso (10(-7) M in the bath) significantly and reversibly increased Ca and Mg reabsorption in CTAL. No net transport of Ca and Mg was observed in MTAL whether Iso was present or not. With regard to Na and Cl, Iso significantly stimulated their reabsorption in both segments and increased the transepithelial voltage in MTAL. Iso abolished K reabsorption in MTAL and induced a net K secretion in CTAL, the latter effect being also observed with 10(-9) M of Iso. When applied on CTAL, propranolol (10(-6) M in the bath) inhibited all these effects. These data indicate that beta-adrenergic agonists are involved in the multihormonal modulation of the TAL function.

Effects of glucagon on Na+, Cl-, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ transports in cortical and medullary thick ascending limbs of mouse kidney.

The effects of glucagon on transepithelial Na+, Cl-, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ net fluxes were investigated in isolated perfused cortical (cTAL) and medullary (mTAL) thick ascending limbs of Henle's loop of the mouse nephron. Transepithelial ion net fluxes (JNa+, JCl-, JK+, JCa2+, JMg2+) were determined by electron probe analysis of the collected tubular fluid. Simultaneously the transepithelial voltage (PDte) and the transepithelial resistance (Rte) were recorded. In cTAL-segments (n = 8), glucagon (1.2 x 10(-8) mol.1-1) stimulated significantly the reabsorption of Na+, Cl-, Ca2+ and Mg2+: JNa+ increased from 204 +/- 20 to 228 +/- 23 pmol.min-1.mm-1, JCl- from 203 +/- 18 to 234 +/- 21 pmol.min-1.mm-1, JCa2+ from 0.52 +/- 0.13 to 1.34 +/- 0.30 pmol.min-1.mm-1 and JMg2+ from 0.51 +/- 0.08 to 0.84 +/- 0.08 pmol.min-1.mm-1.JK+ remained unchanged: 3.2 +/- 1.3 versus 4.0 +/- 1.9 pmol.min-1.mm-1. Neither PDte (16.3 +/- 1.5 versus 15.9 +/- 1.4 mV) nor Rte (22.5 +/- 3.0 versus 20.3 +/- 2.6 omega cm2) were changed significantly by glucagon. However, in the post-experimental periods a significant decrease in PDte and increase in Rte were noted. In mTAL-segments (n = 9), Mg2+ and Ca2+ transports were close to zero and glucagon elicited no significant effect. The reabsorptions of Na+ and Cl-, however, were strongly stimulated: JNa+ increased from 153 +/- 17 to 226 +/- 30 pmol.min-1.mm-1 and JCl- from 151 +/- 23 to 243 +/- 30 pmol.min-1.mm-1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A structural study of the rat proximal and distal nephron: effect of peptide and thyroid hormones.

The effects of the absence of various hormones (antidiuretic hormone, thyroid hormone, parathyroid hormone, and calcitonin) on proximal and distal structures were studied in diabetes insipidus (DI) Brattleboro rats. The cross-sectional area of the first segment of proximal convoluted tubules (S1) was significantly reduced in thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) DI rats compared with Long-Evans rats (the strain of origin of DI rats) and untreated DI rats. Administration of triiodothyronine (T3, 10 micrograms/day for 7 days) to TPTX-DI rats restored the proximal tubule structure. In the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) the cross-sectional area of the epithelium and the number of nuclei per cross-sectional area were significantly greater in untreated ADH-deficient DI rats than in the control Long-Evans rats. Daily administration of 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (dDAVP, 500 ng/day for 3 wk) significantly reduced the size and the number of DCT cells in DI rats. Cortical micropuncture data indicated that the Na+ concentration in the fluid delivered to the DCT and the absolute amount of Na+ reabsorbed along the DCT were higher in DI than in dDAVP-treated DI rats. It is concluded that functional changes in the PCT, subsequent to chronic TPTX, are accompanied by marked alteration of the cell anatomy of this nephron segment, and that the processes that modify the Na load delivered to the DCT and the Na transport in the DCT are accompanied by structural modifications of this segment.

Differential effects of ADH on sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium and magnesium transport in cortical and medullary thick ascending limbs of mouse nephron.

The effect of antidiuretic hormone (arginine vasopressin, AVP) on transepithelial Na+, Cl-, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ net transports was investigated in medullary (mTAL) and cortical (cTAL) segments of the thick ascending limb (TAL) of mouse nephron, perfused in vitro. Transepithelial net fluxes (JNa+, JCl-, JK+, JCa2+, JMg2+) were determined by electron probe analysis of the collected tubular fluid. Transepithelial potential difference (PDte) and transepithelial resistance (Rte) were measured simultaneously. cTAL segments were bathed and perfused with isoosmolal, HCO3- containing Ringer solutions, mTAL segments were bathed and perfused with isoosmolal HCO3- free Ringer solutions. In cTAL segments, AVP (10(-10) mol.l-1) significantly increased JMg2+ and JCa2+ from 0.39 +/- 0.08 to 0.58 +/- 0.10 and from 0.86 +/- 0.13 to 1.19 +/- 0.15 pmol.min-1 mm-1 respectively. Neither JNa+ nor JCl-, (JNa+: 213 +/- 30 versus 221 +/- 28 pmol.min-1 mm-1, JCl-: 206 +/- 30 versus 220 +/- 23 pmol.min-1 mm-1) nor PDte (13.4 +/- 1.3 mV versus 14.1 +/- 1.9 mV) or Rte (24.6 +/- 6.5 omega cm2 versus 22.6 +/- 6.4 omega cm2) were significantly changed by AVP. No significant effect of AVP on net K+ transport was observed. In mTAL segments, Mg2+ and Ca2+ net transports were close to zero and AVP (10(-10) mol.l-1) elicited no effect. However NaCl net reabsorption was significantly stimulated by the hormone, JNa+ increased from 107 +/- 33 to 148 +/- 30 and JCl- from 121 +/- 33 to 165 +/- 32 pmol.min-1 mm-1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Quantitative X-ray analysis of biological fluids: the microdroplet technique.

X-ray microanalysis can be used to quantitatively determine the elemental composition of microvolumes of biological fluids. This article describes the various steps in preparation of microdroplets for analysis: The manufacturing of micropipettes, the preparation of the specimen support, the deposition of droplets on the support, shock-freezing, and lyophilization. Examples of common artifacts (incomplete rehydration prior to freezing or partial rehydration after lyophilization) are demonstrated. Analysis can be carried out either by wavelength-dispersive analysis, which is the most sensitive method, or by energy-dispersive analysis, which is more commonly available. The minimum detectable concentration is 0.05 mmol.liter-1 for 0.1-nl samples analyzed by wavelength-dispersive spectrometry and 0.5-1 mmol.liter-1 for samples analyzed by energy-dispersive spectrometry. A major problem, especially in wavelength-dispersive analysis, where high beam currents are used, is radiation damage to the specimen; in particular chloride (but also other elements) can be lost. Quantitative analysis requires the use of standard solutions with elemental concentration in the same range as those present in the specimen.

Desensitization of rat renal thick ascending limb cells to vasopressin.

Previous studies from this laboratory have demonstrated that vasopressin stimulates K, Mg, Ca, Cl, and Na reabsorption by the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (TALH) of the rat kidney. Micropuncture of superficial nephrons and clearance experiments were performed to determine whether desensitization of the TALH to vasopressin may be demonstrated in vivo and whether such desensitization is specific for the effects of vasopressin (i.e., homologous) or also alters the response to the other hormones acting on the same pool of adenylate cyclase in this nephron segment. Brattleboro rats, with hereditary hypothalamic diabetes insipidus (DI), were given i.m. injections of 1-desamino-8-D-arginine-vasopressin (des-1-amino-[DArg8]VP (herein designated dDAVP); 2 micrograms/day) for 3 days. The effects of maximal physiological doses of arginine-8-vasopressin ([Arg8]VP (herein designated AVP); 20 pg/min per 100 g of body weight) were studied 2 days after the cessation of treatment, when the animals had returned to DI. The K, Mg, Ca, and, to a lesser extent, Cl and Na concentrations in the fluid leaving the TALH of superficial nephrons were higher in dDAVP-treated than in untreated rats given similar amounts of AVP during the experiments. A 50-60% desensitization of the TALH to AVP was still apparent 2 days after stopping the dDAVP injections. Desensitization is homologous, as judged from normal responses to physiological doses of glucagon and calcitonin, two hormones acting on the same cyclase pool as AVP in the rat TALH. The AVP-dependent increase of urine osmolality, however, indicated that its effects on the permeability to water of the collecting duct were scarcely affected in dDAVP-treated rats. It is concluded that (i) AVP induces homologous desensitization in the rat TALH and (ii) the TALH can be markedly desensitized to AVP when the collecting duct response to this hormone is poorly affected or even fully maintained.

Calcium and the inner ear fluids.

Total calcium (Ca) concentration in inner ear fluids was determined by fluorimetry, emission and absorption spectrophotometry, and electron probe analysis. The ionized Ca was measured with selective microelectrodes. In perilymph, the total Ca concentration (1.2 mM) was similar to the ultrafiltrable Ca concentration in plasma. The fraction of ionized Ca was 80%. In endolymph, a total Ca concentration of 0.5 mM contrasted with a reported ionized Ca concentration of 0.02 mM, which suggests, as a working hypothesis, that most of the Ca could exist as bicarbonate and/or phosphate undissociated salts. The decrease in the endocochlear potential induced an increase of the ionized fraction of the Ca. The electrochemical potential of Ca across the perilymph-endolymph barrier implies an active entry of Ca into the endolymph.

NaCl and Ca delivery at the bend of rat deep nephrons decreases during antidiuresis.

The effects of 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (dDAVP) on superficial and juxtamedullary nephrons were investigated by micropuncture in diabetes insipidus (DI) Brattleboro rats chronically treated with the peptide. The rats, acutely deprived of endogenous calcitonin, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and glucagon [hormone-deprived (HD) rats], were examined either 4 days after cessation of dDAVP treatment (HDT, control diuretic rats) or when the treatment was continued until the micropuncture experiment, during which dDAVP was also given intravenously (HDT + dDAVP, experimental nondiuretic rats). In the presence of dDAVP, the reabsorption of Cl, Na, Mg, and Ca by the superficial loop of Henle was significantly increased, as previously observed in HD-untreated rats during acute infusion of dDAVP. The effects on the superficial distal tubule were also similar. The effects on K, however, were different both in the loop and in the distal tubule. At the bend of the juxtamedullary nephrons, the treatment alone (HDT rats) increased fractional delivery (FD%) of Na and Cl, whereas FD% of Mg, Ca, K, and P was unaltered. In HDT + dDAVP rats, FD% of H2O, Cl, Na, and Ca was significantly lower than in HDT rats, and FD% of K, Mg, and P did not differ significantly. In conclusion, in the presence of dDAVP, the FD% of H2O, Na, and Cl at the bend of the long-loop nephrons decreases, in accordance with our previous hypothesis that water removal along the rat descending limb increases outward NaCl diffusion along this segment.