Tubular sites of furosemide natriuresis in volume-replaced and volume-depleted conscious rats.

There is accumulating evidence that the renal Li clearance reflects the delivery of Na and volume out of the proximal tubules. In the present study we used the Li clearance technique to evaluate the effects of submaximal furosemide (Fur) infusion (7.5 mg/kg/hr) on proximal and distal Na reabsorption in conscious rats with and without volume replacement with saline. Li was given as an p.o. test dose (0.5 mmol/kg) and [3H]inulin was infused in saline to measure the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In control rats not infused with F, fractional Na excretion was about 1% and fractional Li excretion was about 30 to 35%. Infusion of F with constant rate and volume replacement increased fractional Na excretion to 22% and fractional Li excretion to 57% associated with a small decrease of the GFR. Without volume replacement F infusion caused a smaller and temporary diuretic and natriuretic response (maximum fractional Na excretion = 7.5%) followed by a decrease of urine flow and Na excretion almost to control levels, despite continued high excretion rates of F. The GFR decreased by 25% and fractional Li excretion showed an initial increase followed by return to baseline levels. The results suggest that in conscious rats submaximal doses of F cause major inhibition of proximal tubular Na reabsorption, which effect contributes substantially to the initial natriuresis. Along with diuretic-induced volume contraction, the natriuretic response is abolished due to a fall in GFR and particularly due to a secondary increase in fractional Na reabsorption, which occurs both in proximal distal tubular nephron segments.