Relationship between peritubular membrane potential and net fluid reabsorption in the distal renal tubule of Amphiuma.

Amphiuma kidneys were isolated and perfused with modified Ringer solution and peritubular and transepithelial membrane potentials (p.d.s) in distal tubules measured with micro-electrodes during rapid changes of luminal electrolyte concentrations. Peritubular membrane potential and net fluid reabsorption (split-oil-droplet method) were also measured with and without application of various drugs known to alter transport. Raising the luminal sodium concentration from 10 to 100 mM reversibly increased the peritubular p.d. The magnitude of the peritubular p.d. was a saturable function of luminal sodium concentration. In the presence of chloride in the lumen the peritubular hyperpolarization following increased luminal sodium could be inhibited by luminal amiloride (10(-4)M). Sodium-induced hyperpolarization of the peritubular p.d. could be completely inhibited by 10(-5)M-ouabain. Adding amiloride (10(-4)M) to the luminal fluid rapidly and reversibly depolarized the peritubular p.d. and inhibited fluid reabsorption. Addition of amphotericin B (20 micrograms/ml) to the luminal perfusion solution had no effect on peritubular p.d. at 100 mM-luminal NaCl but at 10 mM-NaCl, peritubular p.d. hyperpolarized. Fluid reabsorption was stimulated (with 100 mM-NaCl in the lumen). Addition of amphotericin when the tubule was perfused on both sides with solutions containing a constant potassium concentration of 78 mM and a variable sodium concentration ranging from 7.8 to 34.5 mM revealed strong dependence of the peritubular hyperpolarization on the sodium concentration. Luminal furosemide (10(-4)M) and chlorothiazide (10(-4)M) and peritubular ethacrynic acid (10(-4)M) all reduced fluid reabsorption but hyperpolarized the peritubular p.d. The data suggest the presence of an electrogenic sodium transport process in the peritubular membrane that directly contributes to the generation of the peritubular potential. In addition, chloride transport has an important role in determining this potential.