Oxalate accumulation in rat renal cortical slices.

Tubular transport of oxalate is thought to be an energy-mediated process which may contribute to the renal deposition of calcium oxalate in a variety of pathologic states. In order to examine this possibility, the renal handling of oxalate was investigated in rat renal cortical slices in vitro. Slices incubated in vitro with 1 microM [14C]oxalate in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer at 25 degrees C for 180 min achieved a mean slice to medium ratio of 2.8 +/- 0.08 (SEM) and a mean tissue concentration of 7.7 +/- 0.2 mumol/kg dry wt (N = 64). Section freeze-dry autoradiographs demonstrated maximum uptake within proximal tubule cells but no crystals were evident. Substituting N2 for O2, adding KCN, or removing Ca2+ increased uptake of 14C-oxalate. Dinitrophenol (DNP) and iodoacetamide (IoAc), however, significantly decreased, and O degrees C eliminated slice uptake. Slices incubated with 100 microM [14C]oxalate showed a further increase in tissue accumulation and the appearance of [14C]oxalate crystals. Crystals formed in vitro were deposited throughout the tissue. Oxalic acid did not appear to share the organic acid by renal cortical slices in vitro is largely independent of energy-mediated mechanisms.