Biomedical subjects

F X Beck

Publications and source records attributed to F X Beck.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Effect of increased distal sodium delivery on organic osmolytes and cell electrolytes in the renal outer medulla.

Sodium absorption in distal tubule segments was stimulated by increasing the distal delivery via infusion of hypertonic saline. In these animals, and in control rats, electrolyte concentrations in thick ascending limb cells, light and dark cells of the collecting duct in the outer and inner stripe of the outer medulla and in cells of the proximal straight tubule (outer stripe only) were studied. The measurements were performed by electron microprobe analysis of freeze-dried cryosections of the outer medulla. In addition, organic osmolytes (glycerophosphorylcholine, betaine and myo-inositol) were measured by high performance liquid chromatography in cortex and outer medulla. Augmented delivery of sodium chloride to the distal tubule was associated with increased sodium concentrations of thick ascending limb cells both in the outer and inner stripe and of medullary collecting duct light and dark cells in the outer stripe. While the sum of organic osmolyte concentrations was 28% higher in the outer medulla of the salt-loaded animals compared with controls, this value was unchanged in the renal cortex. These findings indicate that the primary event underlying stimulation of sodium absorption along the thick ascending limb during increased distal sodium delivery is enhanced entry of sodium across the apical cell membrane. This would be expected to lead to higher cell sodium concentrations and stimulation of basolateral active Na-K-exchange. The enhanced transport activity of outer medullary tubules may be associated with increased interstitial tonicities and intracellular retention of organic osmolytes.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Effect of K depletion on renal K and Rb excretion: evidence for activation of K reabsorption.

Prolonged potassium depletion activates tubular transport mechanisms mediating potassium absorption. To study ion specificity and factors that modulate the activity of potassium transport pathways, fractional potassium excretion (FEK) was compared with that of rubidium (FERb) in control and potassium-depleted rats subjected to various experimental maneuvers. In control rats FEK considerably surpassed FERb (FEK/FERb 1.54 +/- 0.08; mean +/- SEM), whereas in potassium-depleted rats FEK was significantly lower than FERb (FEK/FERb 0.72 +/- 0.05). Preferential retention of potassium compared to rubidium in potassium-depleted rats was accentuated (FEK/FERb 0.33 +/- 0.01) when residual potassium secretion was inhibited by amiloride and K-H exchange stimulated by increased distal buffer delivery (metabolic alkalosis). When distal fluid and buffer delivery were increased in control animals by acetazolamide, FEK and FERb rose in parallel. In potassium-depleted rats only FERb but not FEK was enhanced by acetazolamide. These data demonstrate that both potassium secretory and potassium absorptive transport pathways prefer potassium to its congener rubidium. Prolonged potassium depletion activates a potassium absorptive mechanism which is stimulated by increased distal buffer delivery and which transports potassium more effectively than rubidium.

Absorption↗

PubMed1992

Effect of loop diuretics on organic osmolytes and cell electrolytes in the renal outer medulla.

Electron microprobe analysis on freeze-dried cryosections was used to determine the effect of the loop diuretics torasemide and furosemide on intracellular electrolyte concentrations in individual cells of the outer and inner stripe of the outer medulla and on cell rubidium uptake, the latter a measure of basolateral Na-K-ATPase activity. In addition, the organic osmolytes glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC), betaine, inositol and sorbitol in cortex, outer medulla and inner medulla were measured using HPLC. Both loop diuretics significantly reduced sodium and chloride concentrations and rubidium uptake in thick ascending limb cells, but did not affect sodium concentration or rubidium uptake in the proximal straight tubule (PST) cells or in the light or dark cells of the outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD). Chloride concentrations in these cells (that is, PST cells, OMCD light and dark cells) were lowered by loop diuretics, albeit less than in thick ascending limb cells. Administration of both loop diuretics for only 20 minutes was sufficient to significantly depress tissue concentrations of GPC, betaine, and myo-inositol in the outer medulla and of GPC, betaine and sorbitol at the papillary tip. These results indicate that loop diuretics, presumably by blocking apical sodium entry, decrease thick ascending limb cellular sodium concentration and, as a consequence, reduce Na-K-ATPase activity as assessed by cell rubidium uptake. Although this has been shown previously in in vitro preparations, the present study confirms this for the first time in vivo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Osmolytes.

The cells of the renal medulla osmotically adapt to chronic alterations in extracellular tonicity by appropriate changes in the intracellular contents of organic osmoeffectors. The major organic osmolytes are glycerophosphorylcholine, betaine, myo-inositol, sorbitol, and, possibly, taurine. When the concentrations of poorly permeant external solutes are acutely reduced, cells that have been adapted to high tonicities rapidly release organic osmolytes via specific transmembrane transport pathways. In contrast, when medullary cells are depleted of organic osmolytes, osmolyte accumulation on acute elevation of external tonicity is slow and involves stimulation of uptake, intracellular de novo synthesis, or inhibition of intracellular degradation, and is preceded by increased intracellular electrolyte concentrations. The available evidence suggests that this rise in intracellular ionic strength plays an important role in the initiation of those processes responsible for full adaptation of renal medullary cells to high tonicities. Recently, complementary DNAs encoding a myo-inositol and a betaine transporter have been isolated.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Osmolytes in renal medulla during rapid changes in papillary tonicity.

The effect of acute changes in extracellular tonicity on cell electrolyte concentrations at the renal papillary tip and on organic osmolytes in different kidney zones was studied using electron microprobe analysis and high-performance liquid chromatography in four groups of rats: controls, 1- or 4-h water diuresis, and 4-h water diuresis followed by 30-min deamino-[Cys1,D-Arg8]vasopressin (ddAVP). The sum of the papillary interstitial concentrations of Na, K, and Cl was reduced from 981 mmol/kg wet wt in controls to 318 mmol/kg wet wt after 4-h diuresis and increased after ddAVP to 840 mmol/kg wet wt. In papillary collecting ducts intracellular electrolytes fell from 225 to 156 mmol/kg wet wt after 4-h diuresis and rose to 268 mmol/kg wet wt (significantly higher than control) after ddAVP. Organic osmolytes [sum of glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC), betaine, myo-inositol, and sorbitol] at the papillary tip decreased from 2,018 (control) to 1,037 mmol/kg protein after 4-h diuresis and did not increase after ddAVP. After ddAVP, cell P concentration, an index of cell GPC concentration, increased, indicating cell shrinkage. GPC concentration increased, indicating cell shrinkage. The results suggest that the concentrations of all osmoeffectors in papillary cells initially increase due to cell shrinkage in response to hypertonic stress. The higher intracellular ionic strength may be a signal for modulation of transport and metabolism of organic osmolytes.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Regulation and localization of organic osmolytes in mammalian kidney.

Four organic small molecules belonging to the chemical groups of trimethylamines (betaine and glycerophosphorylcholine) and polyols (sorbitol and inositol) have been shown to act as organic osmolytes in the kidney. When measured along the corticopapillary axis, each exhibits a specific distribution pattern, indicating a specific localization and function. Studying their behaviour under vasopressin treatment in diabetes insipidus rats and after insulin treatment in diabetes mellitus rats confirmed this conclusion: AVP led to a steady increase of sorbitol and glycerophosphorylcholine over 7 days with no effect on inositol levels. Insulin treatment of diabetic rats, on the other hand, decreased sorbitol with a concomitant increase in glycerophosphorylcholine, again without any effect on tubular inositol concentrations. From this and in vitro studies it can be concluded that both hormones act by indirect mechanisms which alter interstitial osmolality. This in turn leads to a change in tubular osmolyte synthesis, uptake and release rates. In addition, the concentrations of the respective precursors glucose and choline influence the formation rates of sorbitol and betaine.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Sodium entry routes in principal and intercalated cells of the isolated perfused cortical collecting duct.

Transmembrane sodium transport pathways were studied in principal and intercalated cells of the isolated perfused rabbit cortical collecting duct. Intracellular electrolyte concentrations in individual collecting duct cells were measured by electron microprobe analysis during blockage of basolateral Na-K-ATPase by ouabain and simultaneous inhibition of sodium entry across the apical and/or basolateral cell membrane. In principal cells the ouabain-induced rise in cell sodium concentration could only partially be blocked by amiloride (10(-4) mol/l) in the perfusion fluid. Amiloride (10(-3) mol/l) added to the bathing solution produced a further, significant reduction of sodium influx. In principal cells the ouabain-induced increase in sodium concentration was completely prevented by amiloride in the perfusion solution in combination with omission of sodium from the peritubular bathing solution. In intercalated cells ouabain caused a less pronounced increase in sodium concentration than in principal cells. Neither amiloride in the perfusate, nor amiloride in both bathing and perfusion solution, significantly reduced the ouabain-induced rise in intercalated cell sodium concentration. These results indicate that in principal cells amiloride-sensitive sodium channels constitute the predominant pathway for sodium entry across the apical cell membrane. In addition, substantial amounts of sodium enter principal cells across the basolateral cell membrane, probably via Na-H exchange. Finally, the data suggest that in intercalated cells sodium channels and the Na-H exchange are sparse or even absent.

Amiloride↗

PubMed1990

Effect of amiloride on electrolyte concentrations and rubidium uptake in principal and mitochondria-rich cells of frog skin.

The role of mitochondria-rich cells (MR cells) in transepithelial Na transport was investigated by determining electrolyte concentrations and Rb uptake in individual cells of frog skin epithelium using electron microprobe analysis. Measurements were performed under control conditions and after blocking the transepithelial Na transport with amiloride. Under control conditions, Na and Cl concentrations of MR cells scattered much more than those of principal cells and ranged from a few up to more than 30 mmol/kg wet weight. Rb uptake from the basal side into individual MR cells also showed a large variation and was, on the average, much less pronounced than into the principal cells. In principal cells, amiloride reduced the Na concentration and Rb accumulation. In contrast, no effect was observed upon electrolyte concentration and Rb uptake of MR cells. Rb uptake was correlated to the Na concentration of MR cells both under control conditions and after amiloride. It is concluded that, in contrast to the principal cells, MR cells are not involved in amiloride-sensitive transepithelial Na transport and that their Na/K-pump activity is very low.

Amiloride↗

PubMed1990

Effect of diuretics on cell potassium transport: an electron microprobe study.

To study the short-term uptake of potassium across the basolateral membrane into individual tubule cells, rubidium was used and measured by electron microprobe analysis. Changes of rubidium uptake were interpreted to reflect altered sodium entry and basolateral Na-K-ATPase activity. The effects of hydrochlorothiazide, amiloride and furosemide were determined in saline-loaded animals. Hydrochlorothiazide inhibited rubidium uptake in proximal convoluted and distal convoluted tubule cells. The effect was largest in distal convoluted tubule cells. Amiloride reduced rubidium uptake in principal cells as well as in proximal convoluted, distal convoluted and connecting tubule cells. Furosemide depressed rubidium uptake in distal convoluted tubule cells, but increased uptake in principal cells. Rubidium uptake into intercalated cells was not affected by any of the diuretics used. Hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride altered rubidium uptake also in cells not associated with the main diuretic action. These effects of hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride may be due to interference with cell transport mechanisms of Na-H and anion exchange.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Effect of ouabain on electrolyte concentrations in principal and intercalated cells of the isolated perfused cortical collecting duct.

Sodium, phosphorus, chloride and potassium concentrations were measured by a new method in individual principal and intercalated cells in the cortical collecting duct in vitro. Electron microprobe analysis was applied to freeze-dried cryosections of the isolated perfused rabbit cortical collecting duct. Cell analyses were performed under control conditions and after addition of ouabain to the bath. Under control conditions similar sodium, potassium, chloride, and phosphorus concentration (means +/- SEM) were observed in principal (10.0 +/- 0.6, 126.5 +/- 2.7, 24.6 +/- 1.0, and 121.5 +/- 3.5 mmol/kg wet weight, respectively) and intercalated cells (9.0 +/- 0.9, 127.1 +/- 4.2, 27.4 +/- 1.8, and 118.7 +/- 4.9 mmol/kg wet weight, respectively). In principal cells ouabain (10 min) caused an increase in sodium and chloride concentrations by 104 and 13 mmol/kg wet weight, and a decrease in potassium and phosphorus concentrations by 106 and 32 mmol/kg wet weight. These changes in cell element concentrations can be ascribed to an exchange of intracellular potassium against extracellular sodium and to cell swelling due to influx of extracellular fluid. The effects of ouabain on intercalated cells were far less pronounced than on principal cells. This different susceptibility to ouabain of principal and intercalated cells can be ascribed to differences in active and passive transmembrane ion transport pathways.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Studies on the mechanism of rubidium-induced kaliuresis.

Renal clearance and electron microprobe methods were used 1) to elucidate the effects of chronic rubidium administration on potassium transport and 2) to localize, by the use of amiloride in acute experiments, the tubule site of interaction between rubidium and potassium. Substitution of drinking water by a 50 mM rubidium chloride solution for 9 to 11 days led to significant hypokalemia (plasma potassium 2.5 +/- 0.1 mM; plasma potassium plus rubidium 3.3 +/- 0.1 mM). Compared to a control group (reduction of plasma potassium to 3.4 +/- 0.1 mM by short-term potassium depletion) with a fractional potassium excretion of 2.1 +/- 0.3%, rubidium-treated rats excreted potassium at a much higher rate of 14.6 +/- 3.0%. The potassium content of principal cells was, however, significantly lower in rubidium-treated than in potassium-deprived animals. Similar to experiments in which rubidium was given acutely (3 hours), chronic rubidium administration was associated with preferential accumulation of rubidium in all tubule cells relative to potassium. Rubidium clearances were uniformly below those of potassium. Amiloride abolished the difference between rubidium and potassium clearances and sharply reduced the excretion of both cations. In view of the known site of action of amiloride, this suggests a distal tubule site of rubidium action on potassium transport. Amiloride also reduced or abolished the preferential uptake of rubidium into all but intercalated tubule cells. Marked cell heterogeneity of rubidium accumulation into intercalated cells was observed: One subpopulation, with low cell chloride, retained rubidium more effectively than another subpopulation with high cell chloride.

Amiloride↗

PubMed1989

Effect of antidiuretic hormone on renal organic osmolytes in Brattleboro rats.

Homozygous Brattleboro rats were used to study the effect of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) on organic osmolytes, which have been shown to be involved in the cellular osmoadaptation in renal inner medulla. With the use of enzymatic spectrophotometric methods, glycerophosphorylcholine, sorbitol, and inositol were determined in kidney sections from papillary tip (IM3) to cortex. Compared with normal rat kidneys, IM3 of untreated Brattleboro rats (urine osmolality 132 mosmol/kg) were sorbitol depleted (16 +/- 1 vs. 371 +/- 37 mumol/g protein) and glycerophosphorylcholine was reduced to 20% (131 +/- 16 vs. 658 +/- 52 mumol/g protein). In contrast inositol was not changed (147 +/- 25 vs. 177 +/- 29 mumol/g protein). Similar effects were obtained in all medullary sections. Continuous treatment with ADH increased urine osmolality already after 5 h but renal glycerophosphorylcholine and sorbitol content only after 24 h. Normal osmolyte levels were reached after 3 days of ADH treatment when urine osmolality was 1,595 mosmol/kg. Inositol did not exhibit comparable changes during ADH treatment. The present results indicate that ADH, possibly by increasing interstitial tonicity, leads to increased glycerophosphorylcholine and sorbitol, but not inositol, contents.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Cl transport across the basolateral membrane of principal cells in frog skin.

Measurements of cellular electrolyte concentrations were performed using electron microprobe analysis to further characterize the Cl transport across the basolateral membranes of principal cells. Cellular Cl loss into a Cl-free serosal solution can be prevented by combined application of the Cl channel blocker diphenylamine-2-carboxylate and the cotransport inhibitor bumetanide, indicating a cellular Cl exit across a cotransport system. Recovery of the cellular Cl concentration after Cl depletion requires the simultaneous serosal presence of Na, K and Cl. Cellular Rb uptake measurements indicate that Rb instead of K is accepted by the cotransporter. Whereas after Cl depletion more Rb than Cl is taken up into the cells by the cotransporter, almost no Rb enters the cells via this transporter under control conditions. The data suggest that the high cellular Cl concentration is maintained by a Na-K-2Cl cotransporter which during cellular Cl reuptake seems to work like a shuttle but is almost completely silent under control conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Element composition of tubule cells in the inner stripe of the renal outer medulla.

To obtain further insight into renal medullary function, element concentrations were determined in individual tubule cells of the outer medulla in the rat kidney using electron microprobe analysis on freeze-dried cryosections. In the cells of the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop the Na, P, Cl, and K concentrations (means +/- SEM) were: 9.5 +/- 0.6, 158.4 +/- 6.2, 25.6 +/- 1.2, and 135.3 +/- 4.8 mmol/kg wet weight, respectively. While similar Na, P, and K concentrations were observed in light and dark cells of the medullary collecting duct, Cl was markedly higher--55.0 +/- 2.8 mmol/kg wet weight--in the dark cells. The electrolyte concentrations of the thick ascending limb cells seen in the present study are in good agreement with ion activities reported for the isolated perfused thick ascending limb. The low cell Na and Cl concentrations provide a favorable driving force for passive cell entry of Na, Cl, and K across the apical membrane via the Na-2Cl-K cotransporter even at low tubule fluid NaCl concentrations. Although in hydropenic rats interstitial tonicity of the inner stripe is above isotonicity, electrolyte concentrations of inner stripe cells did not differ from those obtained in cortical tubule cells. This finding suggests that, similar to papillary cells, osmoadaptation of outer medullary cells is, at least partially, accomplished by organic osmolytes.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Cellular osmoregulation in the renal papilla.

The cells of the renal papilla are subject to extreme variations in extracellular tonicity. To obtain more insight into the mechanisms whereby these cells adapt osmotically to these unique environmental conditions, elements were measured in individual cells of the rat renal papilla in antidiuresis and after prolonged furosemide administration. In antidiuresis cell sodium, chloride and potassium concentrations did not differ fundamentally from those observed in tubule cells exposed to isotonic surroundings such as in proximal tubule cells. The marked fall in extracellular electrolyte concentrations induced by furosemide was paralleled by a far less pronounced decline in intracellular sodium, chloride and potassium concentrations. These data indicate that papillary cells achieve osmoadaptation to widely differing extracellular tonicities mainly by varying the intracellular concentrations of osmotically active substances other than inorganic electrolytes. Since high concentrations of organic osmolytes (sorbitol, inositol, glycerophosphorylcholine and other trimethylamines) have been detected in the papilla and since the tissue contents of these compounds have been shown to vary in parallel with urine osmolality, it may be concluded that metabolically inert, organic osmolytes play a dominant role in the osmoregulation of renal papillary cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Na transport stimulation by novobiocin: intracellular ion concentrations and membrane potential.

Microelectrodes and electron microprobe analysis were employed to study the effect of novobiocin on membrane potential and intracellular electrolyte concentrations in the frog skin epithelium. In both species investigated (Rana esculenta and Rana temporaria), novobiocin (1 mM, outer bath) caused a stimulation of transepithelial Na transport, a depolarization of apical membrane potential, a fall in the apical fractional resistance, and an increase in the intracellular Na concentration. The rise in the Na concentration was accompanied by an equivalent fall in the K concentration. All effects of novobiocin were fully reversible by subsequent application of amiloride. The depolarization as well as the Na increase suggests that the natriferic effect of novobiocin is due to a stimulation of the apical Na influx. Combining both measurements it was possible to calculate the effect of novobiocin on the Na permeability of the apical membrane directly. In Rana esculenta novobiocin increased the permeability from 4.5 to 23.2 nm/s. In Rana temporaria the increase was significantly smaller, from 8.7 to 16.9 nm/s. The transport rate as measured by the short-circuit current showed a non-linear dependence on the apical Na permeability. In the range of transport rates normally encountered, however, the current was a linear function of the Na permeability consistent with the view that the apical membrane is rate-limiting in transepithelial Na transport.

Amiloride↗

PubMed1988

Uptake of Br in mitochondria-rich and principal cells of toad skin epithelium.

To elucidate the route of transepithelial Cl transport across amphibian skins, electrolyte concentrations and uptake of Br in different epithelial cell types of toad skin were determined using electron microprobe analysis. Under short-circuited conditions, Cl concentrations were about 10 mmol/kg ww lower in MR-cells (23.9 +/- 9.6 mmol/kg ww) than in principal cells and showed a large scatter. After unilateral substitution of Br for Cl in the bathing solutions, principal cells exchanged Br for Cl only from the serosal side, whereas variable amounts of Br were gained in MR-cells from either side. The ratio of Br to Cl concentrations in MR-cells averaged 0.35 and 0.81 after incubation with NaBr-Ringer's on the apical or serosal side, respectively. After activation of transepithelial anion conductance by serosa-positive voltage-clamping to 100 mV, uptake of Br from the apical side was increased in MR-cells compared with short-circuited conditions. On the average, the ratio of cellular Br to Cl concentrations was 1.38, but the variation among individual MR-cells from the same tissue was considerable. In MR-cells with large uptake of Br and voltage-activated conditions, the sum of Br and Cl concentrations was higher than the Cl concentration under control conditions. The increase of anion content was associated by increase of the Na and corresponding decrease of the K concentrations. The MR-cells were swollen as indicated by the decrease in the cellular dry weight content from 22.2 +/- 2.5 to 17.1 +/- 4.2 g/100 g.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1988

The distribution of potassium, sodium and chloride across the apical membrane of renal tubular cells: effect of acute metabolic alkalosis.

Studies were undertaken to define the effect of acute metabolic alkalosis (hypertonic sodium bicarbonate i.v.) on the chemical gradients for potassium, sodium and chloride across the apical membrane of individual renal tubule cells. Electron microprobe analysis was used on freeze-dried cryosections of the rat renal cortex to measure electrolyte concentrations in proximal tubule cells and in the various cell types of the superficial distal tubule. Analyses were also performed in fluid samples obtained by micropuncture from proximal and early and late distal collection sites. Compared with the appropriate controls (hypertonic sodium chloride i.v.), administration of sodium bicarbonate resulted only in small and mostly insignificant increases in cell potassium concentrations and induced only minor alterations in the cell/tubule fluid potassium concentration gradient for all cell types analysed. This observation suggests that under this condition factors other than an increase in cell potassium concentration are important in modulating potassium transfer across the apical membrane of potassium secreting cells. Nevertheless, since in alkalosis phosphorus and cell dry weight were decreased, and hence cell volume increased, in all but the intercalated cells, actually the potassium content of most tubular cells was higher under this condition. In comparison with animals infused with isotonic saline at low rates (hydropenic controls), infusion of either hypertonic sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate led to a sharp increase in distal tubule fluid sodium concentrations and in the sodium concentrations of distal convoluted tubule, connecting tubule and principal cells, indicating that under both conditions the primary event causing enhanced transepithelial sodium absorption is stimulation of the sodium entry step.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alkalosis↗