[Intrarenal distribution of calcium and magnesium in the dog. Effect of an osmotic diuresis (author's transl)].

1 The determination of Na, Ca, Mg, and K concentrations was performed in four different regions of the dog kidney (cortex, outer medulla, inner medulla, and papilla) during antidiuresis and during an osmotic diuresis. 2 The results show a medullary concentration gradient for calcium. This gradient is much higher than that found for sodium. 3 An inverse concentration gradient from cortex to inner medulla for Mg and K is found. 4 An osmotic diuresis (hypertonic mannitol) decreases the corticomedullary gradient of Na, but does not alter significantly the intrarenal distribution of Ca, Mg and K. 5 These results consistent with an intracellular localization of Mg and K in the renal tissue. It is suggested that the medullary concentration gradient for Ca may be due either to a countercurrent multiplier system similar to that for Na, or to a higher tissular fixation of Ca in the inner medulla and papilla than in the outer medulla and cortex.