Na(+)-ATPase activity, cell ion and water contents of kidney cortex slices from rats on a high Na+ diet.

Rats chronically fed for 15 months with an isotonic NaCl solution show a volume increase of their kidney proximal tubular cells as well as of the ouabain-insensitive, Na-stimulated ATPase activity of basolateral plasma membranes from these cells. If the experimental rats are changed to tap water after 15 months of the high sodium diet, the results are partially reversed. Thus, the cell volume and the Na-ATPase activity of their basolateral plasma membranes decrease, reaching values closer to those of control rats. There is more Na+ and Cl- in the cells from rats under the high Na(+)-diet than in the cells from control rats. On the other hand, when the rats on the high sodium diet are changed to control conditions (drinking tap water), their Na+ and Cl- contents decrease, approaching control values. It is proposed that the Na-ATPase activity is modulated "in vivo" by the cell volume.