Effect of probenecid on tetraethyl ammonium (TEA) transport across basolateral membrane of rabbit proximal tubule.

The effect of probenecid on the transport of tetraethylammonium (TEA) was investigated in rabbit reanal cortical slices in an attempt to ascertain the interaction of organic anion with the organic cation transport system in proximal tubule. Probenecid reversibly inhibited TEA uptake by cortical slices in a dose-dependent manner over the concentration range of 1 and 5 mM. The efflux of TEA was not affected by the presence of 3 mM probenecid. Kinetic analysis indicated that probenecid decreased Vmax without a significant change in Km. Probenecid inhibited significantly tissue oxygen consumption at concentrations of 3 and 5 mM. However, probenecid did not significantly reduce TEA uptake in brush border and basolateral membrane vesicles prepared from renal cortex even at higher concentration of 10 mM. These results indicate that probenecid reduces TEA uptake in cortical slices by inhibiting the tissue metabolism rather than by the interaction with the organic cation transporter.