Sodium and chloride transport along the inner medullary collecting duct: effect of saline expansion.

The effect of volume expansion on inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) sodium transport remains controversial. Studies employing micropuncture of the IMCD base and tip were interpreted to demonstrate enhanced sodium and chloride reabsorption. Data obtained by microcatheterization evaluating only sodium transport revealed either no reabsorption or net addition. We have examined both sodium and chloride transport by microcatheterization. Volume expansion was comparable to the micropuncture studies: 0.9% saline equal to 10% body wt and then matched to urine flow. The fraction of filtered fluid, sodium, and chloride was analyzed as a function of IMCD length. In eight hydropenic rats 60% of the fluid, 71% of the sodium, and 48% of the chloride delivered to the IMCD was reabsorbed. In six volume-expanded rats no significant net reabsorption of fluid, sodium, or chloride was found. Accordingly, in contrast to the micropuncture results, we have demonstrated that net sodium chloride and fluid reabsorption are absent during volume expansion. We conclude that during volume expansion, fluid, sodium, and chloride excretion increase, in part, because of a reduction in net reabsorption along the IMCD. The degree of volume expansion does not account for the discrepancy between the two techniques.