Renal phosphate transport: inhomogeneity of local proximal transport rates and sodium dependence.

The standing droplet method has been used in combination with the peritibular perfusion of blood capillaries to determine the build up of transtubular concentration differences of phosphate (Piota) in the renal proximal convoluted tubule of parathyroidectomized rats. Electron probe analysis was used to estimate Piota. At zero time both the intraluminal and the contraluminal Piota concentration was 2 mM. The time dependent decrease of the intraluminal Piota concentration was approximately 4 times faster in the early than in the late proximal convoluted tubule. After 45 sec an intraluminal steady state concentration of 0.20 mM Piota was achieved in the early part. In the late part the intraluminal Piota concentration approached a steady statevalue of 0.54 mM at 123 sec. When sodium free solutions were used the intaluminal Piota concentration increased to 2.22 mM in the earlier and to 2.76 mM in the late part. The data indicate that in the proximal convoluted tubule 1. the rate of phosphate reabsorption is greater in the early part than in the later part, and 2. phospate reabsorption might occur as co-transport with Na+ ions.