Effects of calcium on ADH action in the cortical collecting tubule perfused in vitro.

To test the effects of calcium on ADH action in an in vitro mammalian system, the rabbit cortical collecting tubule was studied. After 25 microunits/ml ADH (n=8) in the presence of 1.25 mM calcium bath, water flow (Jv) rose to 1.56 +/- 0.34 nl.mm-1. min-1 and hydraulic conductivity (Lp, cm.s-1.atm-1 X 10(7)) rose to 123 +/- 22. After 25 microunits/ml ADH in the presence of 3.75 mM calcium bath (n=7), Jv rose to 2.96 +/- 0.6 nl.mm-1.min-1 (P less than 0.05 vs. control) and Lp rose to 286 +/- 62 cm.s-1.atm-1 X 10(7) (P less than 0.02 vs. 1.25 mM bath calcium control). Tubules (n=6) perfused with 3.75 mM Ca and bathed in 3.75 mM Ca also showed an Lp of 279 +/- 82 cm.s-1.atm-1 X 10 (7) following 25 microunits/ml ADH. Tubules similarly studied in 1.25 (n=6) or 3.75 mM Ca (n=6) bath but treated with 10(-4) M 8-[p-chlorophenylthio]cAMP demonstrated Lp of 222 +/- 26 and 235 +/- 37 cm.s-1.atm-1 X 10(7), respectively. These data suggest that increased bath Ca enhances ADH- but not cAMP-stimulated water flow in the rabbit cortical collecting tubule. High perfusate Ca2+ does not alter the stimulatory effect of elevated peritubular Ca2+.