Influence of peritubular protein on solute absorption in the rabbit proximal tubule. A specific effect on NaCl transport.

The effect of removal of peritubular protein on the reabsorption of various solutes and water was examined in isolated rabbit proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) perfused in vitro. In 22 PCT perfused with ultrafiltrate (UF) and bathed in serum, volume absorption (Jv) was 1.44 nl/mm per min and potential difference (PD) was -3.6 mV. When these same PCT were bathed in a protein-free UF, Jv was reduced 38% without a change in PD. Simultaneous measurements of total CO2 net flux (JTCO2) and glucose efflux (JG) showed that less than 2% of the decrease in JV could be accounted for by a reduction in JTCO2 and JG, suggesting that removal of peritubular protein inhibited sodium chloride transport (JNaCl). Therefore, in eight additional PCT, JNaCl was measured, in addition to PD, Jv, JG, and JTCO2. In these PCT, the decrease in total solute transport induced by removal of bath protein was 201.7 +/- 37.5 posmol/mm per min. JG decreased slightly (9.1 +/- 3.9 posmol/mm per min); NaHCO3 transport did not change (9.2 +/- 6.6 posmol/mm per min); but JNaCl decreased markedly (160.6 +/- 35.7 posmol/mm per min). 80% of the decrease in Jv could be accounted for by a decrease in JNaCl. In 13 additional PCT perfused with simple NaCl solutions, a comparable decrease in Jv and JNaCl was observed when peritubular protein was removed without an increase in TCO2 backleak. In summary, removal of peritubular protein reduced Jv and JNacl, but did not significantly alter PD, JG, JTCO2, or TCO2 backleak. The failure to inhibit JG and JTCO2, known sodium-coupled transport processes, indicates that protein removal does not primarily affect the Na-K ATPase pump system. Furthermore, since PD and TCO2 backleak were not influenced, it is unlikely that protein removal increased the permeability of the paracellular pathway. We conclude that protein removal specifically inhibits active transcellular or passive paracellular NaCl transport.