Perfusion rate-dependence of transepithelial osmosis in. proximal convoluted tubules: Estimation of the hydraulic conductance.

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Kidney International, Vol. 14 (1978), pp. 263 269 Perfusion rate-dependence of transepithelial osmosis in isolated proximal convoluted tubules: Estimation of the hydraulic conductance THOMAS E. ANDREOLI, JAMES A. SCHAFER, and SUSAN L. TROUTMAN The Nephrology Research and Training Center; the Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine; and the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Albama in Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama Perfusion rate-dependence of transepithelial osmosis in isolated proximal convoluted tubules: Estimation of the hydraulic conductance. We estimated the hydraulic conductance (P1. j.m sec) of isolated superficial proximal convoluted tubules by measuring the absolute rate of osmotic water flow ('J, nl min') in the presence of a transepithelial osmolality difference. Tubule segments were bathed in a phosphate-buffered sodium chloride solution with an osmolality of 290 mosmlkg H20 and perfused with a similar sodium chloride solution having an osmolality of 270 mosm/kg H20. The experiments were conducted at 25 C, and in the absence of an imposed transepithelial osmolality difference, no net volume absorption was observed. With an osmolality difference, however, axial osmotic equilibration tends to occur because of transepithelial osmosis and solute movement, and consequently, 'L is expected to be a function of the perfusion rate (V, ni min'). Observed values of 'iv were 0.75 0.05 (sem), 1.12 0.09, 1.35 0.08, and 1.90 0.15 at perfusion rates of 11.85, 21.20, 30.75, and 41.80 ni min', respectively. A minimum estimate of the hydraulic conductivity, 1,900 m sec, was calculated from the volume absorption measured at the maximal perfusion rate. A direct estimate of P1 was obtained by plotting li'j,, as a function of 1/V0. The zero intercept of this plot gave an estimate of 'i,, at an infinite perfusion rate; from this 'iv, P1 was calculated to be 3,560 787 (sem) m sec1 (95% confidence limits: 2,030 to 5,100 m sec'). Given this high hydraulic conductivity, effectve transepithelial osmotic gradients in the range of 2.2 to 5.5 mosm/kg of water provide a sufficient driving force for the rates of proximal tubular fluid absorption observed either in vitro or in vivo. Dépendance de l'osmose transépithéliale par rapport au debit de perfusion dans les tubes contournés proximaux isolés: Calcul de Ia résistance hydraulique. Nous avons calculc Ia conductance hydraulique (P1, m sec') de tubes contournés proximaux superficiels isolcs en mesurant le debit osmotique d'eau absolu ('iv, ni min) en presence d'une difference transcpithéliale d'osmolalité. Les segments tubulaires ont ete immergcs dans une solution de NaCl tamponnée avec du phosphate dont l'osmolalité était de 290 mosm/kg H20 et perfuses avec une solution semblable dont l'osmolalité était de 270 mosmlkg H2O. Les experiences ont été réalisées a 25 C. En l'absence de difference transépitheliale d'osmolalite aucune absorption nette n'a Cté observée. En presence d'une difference d'osmomalitc, cependant, l'equilibration osmotique axiale tend a se produire en raison de l'osmose transépitheliale et du mouvement de substances dissoutes et, par consequent, 'i pourrait être en fonction du debit de perfusion (V0. nl min'). Les valeurs mesurées de 'iv sont 0,75 0,05 (5EM), 1,12 0,09; 1,35 0,08; et 1,90 0,15 aux debits de perfusion de 11,85; 21,20; 30,75; et 41,80 ni min, respectivement. Une evaluation minimale de Ia conductivité hydraulique, 1900 m sec, a été calculce a partir du debit d'absorption mesuré au debit de perfusion maximal. Une estimation indirecte de P1 a été obtenue en portant l/'j en fonction de 1/V0. Le point d'intersection avec l'axe des abscisses donne une evaluation de 'iv a un debit de perfusion infini. A partir de cette valeur de 'iv on peut calculer un P1 de 3560 787 (sem) m sec (intervalle de confiance 95%: 2030 a 5100 m sec'). Du fait de cette conductivité hydraulique élevée des gradients osmotiques transépitheliaux de l'ordre de 2,2 a 5,5 mosm/kg H2O fournissent une force motrice suffisante pour les debits d'absorption dans Ic tube proximal observes in vivo et in vitro. The purpose of this paper is to report the results of experiments designed to estimate the hydraulic conductance coefficient (Pf, m sec') of single proximal convoluted tubules isolated from rabbit kidney, and to comment on the significance of this parameter in assessing the mechanism(s) of isotonic fluid transport in such tubules. The relevant theoretical frame of reference for the present studies has been presented previously [1] in connection with an assessment of P in isolated superficial proximal straight tubules. Stated briefly, the argument is as follows. Consider an isolated proximal renal tubule perfused and bathed with hypotonic and isotonic solutions, respectively, under experimental conditions where no fluid absorption is coupled to active transport processes. For such circumstances, axial osmotic equilibration of luminal solutions with bath- Received for publication ianuary 11, 1978; and in revised form March 13, 1978. 0085-2538178/0014 0263 $01.40 1978 by the International Society of Nephrology. 263

264 Andreoli et a! ing media tends to occur because of transepithelial osmotic volume efflux and because of diffusional salt entry from bath to lumen; alternatively, entrainment of solute etliux with solvent effiux from the tubule lumen tends to maintain the system away from osmotic equilibrium. Thus, the rate of radial transepithelial osmosis ('J, nl. min1) will vary directly, in a given tubule length, with the initial rate of tubular perfusion (V0, ni min'): at low initial perfusion rates, osmotic equilibrium between luminal fluid and the bath occurs in a shorter length of tubule than at higher initial perfusion rates. Prior estimates of Pf in proximal convoluted tubules, using either in vitro tubular microperfusion [2] or in vivo micropuncture [3 7], have not considered the relation between initial luminal perfusion rate and the rate of radial transepithelial osmosis. Likewise, these estimates [2 7] of P1 were made by assuming that the approach to osmotic equilibrium between lumen and bath was referable to luminal volume efflux; or put differently, contributions of diffusional solute influx and entrained solute efflux to the development of osmotic equilibrium between luminal and bathing solutions were neglected. One approach to measuring P1 in isolated proximal renal tubules depends on exploiting the relation between 'iv and V [1]: at an infinitely high perfusion rate, there exists a uniform osmotic pressure gradient between lumen and bath along the entire tubule length, i.e., the osmotic pressure gradient between initial perfusate and bath. Accordingly, the calculated zero intercept of the relation between 1I'J,, and li provides a way of estimating the absolute rate of transepithelial osmosis with a uniform transepithelial osmotic pressure gradient, and hence for computing P1. And the 'L measured at the highest initial perfusion rates which are experimentally feasible provides a way of computing a minimum, or lower bound, for P1 by assuming a transepithelial osmotic pressure gradient equal to the osmotic pressure gradient between initial perfusate and bath. We have shown previously [1] that this method, when applied to isolated superficial proximal straight tubules, yields a P1 value which agrees closely with that computed from a detailed theoretical analysis of the perfusion rate-dependence and length-dependence of 'J,, which considers axial solute concentration profiles in terms of transepithelial fluxes of both solute and solvent. In this paper, we report the relation between 'Jv and V in superficial proximal convoluted tubules isolated from the rabbit. The results indicate that, in this tubule segment, P1 is approximately 3,560 (sem) 787 m sec1, with 95% confidence limits including P1 values in the range 2,030 to 5,100 m sec, i.e., about the same as that observed in isolated superficial proximal straight tubules [1]. Finally, we consider the relevance of this transport parameter to the issue of isotonic fluid absorption in proximal renal tubules. A preliminary report of some of these findings has been presented elsewhere [8]. Methods The details of experimental methodology were the same as those described previously [1], except that in the present studies we used superficial proximal convoluted tubules isolated from rabbit kidney. Superficial proximal convoluted tubules were dissected from the outer cortical region of kidneys obtained from female New Zealand white rabbits (weight, 1.5 to 2.5 kg). The dissection was carried out in the same sodium chloride buffer used to bathe tubule segments (see below). In the 12 proximal convoluted tubule segments used in the present experiments, the tubule length was 0.83 (sem) 0.06 mm, the internal diameter was 26.16 1.0 m, and the apparent inner surface area was 6.82 x 10 cm2. The tubules were transferred to a perfusion chamber which was maintained at 25.0 0.50 C for all experiments. Thus active sodium ion transport was not a driving force for discernible degrees of volume absorption; and as will be indicated below, control measurements were carried out in each tubule to verify that, with an isosmolal perfusate and bath, fluid adsorption was indistinguishable from zero. The sodium chloride solution [9] used to bathe all tubules consisted of: 2 mi dibasic sodium phosphate/monobasic sodium phosphate (ph, 7.4 at 23 C), 5 m potassium chloride, 3 m calcium chloride, 1 m magnesium chloride, 8.3 mm D-glucose, 5 mi L-alanine, 6 g!dl bovine serum albumin (fraction V, Reheis Chemical Co., Phoenix, AZ). The initial sodium chloride perfusate [9] contained: 2 mi dibasic sodium phosphate/monobasic sodium phosphate (ph, 7.4), 5.0 m potassium chloride, calcium chloride, 1.5 m calcium chloride, 0.7 mm magnesium chloride, and 13.3 mrvt urea. Sufficient sodium chloride was added to both sets of solutions to make the final osmolality 290 mosm/kg H20, as described previously [9]. The primary experimental maneuver was measurement of the absolute rate of fluid absorption ('J, ni/mm) as a function of perfusion rate. In each tubule, three to four collections were made at 7 to

Hydraulic conductance of proximal convoluted tubule 265 10-mm intervals and at a perfusion rate of 10 to 12 ni/mm using an isotonic sodium chloride perfusate and bath to insure that, for this condition, 'J was indistinguishable from zero, that is, that spontaneous fluid absorption coupled to active transport processes was absent. Then, the perfusate was changed to a hypotonic variant made by adding sufficient water to the 290 mosm/kg H20 sodium chloride perfusate to reduce the osmolality to 270 mosmlkg H20, and four to five collections were made at 7- to 10-mm intervals, again at a perfusion rate of 10 to 14 ni/mm. The perfusion rate was then increased in three successive stages to 18 to 22 nhlmin, 28 to 32 ni/mm, and 38 to 42 nl/min, and then back down in the same three stages to 10 to 14 nl/min. At least two collections were made at each perfusion rate. The use of a pump (Sage Model 255-3, Orion Research Inc., Cambridge, Mass.) to drive a 50-id gastight syringe (Hamilton, Hamilton Co., Reno, Nevada) enabled rapid and reproducible perfusion rate changes in this flow range. The perfusion rate was measured directly from the rate of collection of 3H-methoxy-inulin as described previously [1, 9 12], and the collection rate was measured using the same previously calibrated constant-bore capillary sampling pipet, capacity 1.2 nl/mm, throughout the experiment. The precision of such measurements of net rates of transepithelial fluid flux in these tubules has been documented in prior studies [10, 12]. Measurements in a given tubule were used to compute a mean value for that tubule. The mean values for individual tubules were then used to calculate a mean value SEM for the indicated number of tubules. The experimental results were expressed in this manner. Results The purpose of these experiments was to evaluate the dependence of radial transepithelial osmosis on axial perfusion rate. Thus, in principle, it would have been appropriate to vary initial perfusion rates from near-zero to infinity. But with rapid perfusion rates, the time between sample collections was reduced and reached a practical minimum of about 2 mm. Furthermore, at high-flow rates, the accuracy with which the total 'J, could be measured decreased because it represented the difference between two large numbers, the collection rate and the perfusion rate. The highest perfusion rates which were consistent with the usual accuracy for 'J, determinations in this laboratory [cf. Refs. 10, 12] were in the range of 45 nl/min. Dependence of 'J, on %/O The cardinal experimental data are shown in Table 1. Twelve proximal convoluted tubule segments (length, 0.83 0.06 mm) were perfused and bathed with hypotonic and isotonic sodium chloride solutions, respectively, as described in Methods; and in each tubule, 'J was measured as a function of the initial perfusion rate. The results listed in Table I indicate that the rate of transepithelial osmosis, for a given osmolality difference between initial perfusate and bath, increased monotonically with increasing initial perfusion rate. Table 1. Axial fibw-dependence of transepithelial osmosisa Perfusion rate ni 'min',jv tnin 11.85 0.41 0.75 0.05 21.20 0.76 1.12 0.09 30.75 0.64 1.35 0.08 41.80 0.91 1.90 0.15 [N = 121 a The absolute rate of transepithelial osmosis (J, ni min) was measured as a function of varying initial perfusion rate in each tubule when the initial perfusate was a 270 mosm/kg H20 sodium chloride solution, the bath contained a 290 mosm/ kg H20 solution, and the perfusate was 25.0 0.50 C. according to the protocol described in Methods [cf. also Ref. 1]. The mean tubule length was 0.83 0.06 mm. The results are expressed as mean values SEM. Estimates of F,. At infinitely high perfusion rates, the radial transepithelial fluxes of solute and water become negligible with respect to the axial flow rates of solute and water (this argument has been developed quantitatively elsewhere [1]). So at an infinitely high perfusion rate, the osmolality along the entire tubule length was constant, and the driving force for transepithelial volume flow along the entire tubule length was the difference between the Osmolalities of the initial perfusate and the bath. Accordingly, P may be computed from the value of 'J at an infinitely high 10, subsequently termed FJax, as: Imax V Pf = (1) ttnacia 'zxc0 -. b where Jax is expressed as cm3 sec1, A is the apparent luminal surface area, which in the present experiments was 6.82 x l0-. cm2, is the osmolality difference between the initial perfusate and the bath, and ctnaci is the reflection coefficient for sodium chloride. For the latter, we will utilize 0NaC1 = 0.68, the value obtained by Kokko, Burg,

266 Andreoli et a! and Orloff [2] for isolated rabbit proximal convoluted tubules. One may obtain a minimum estimate of Pf by substituting into equation (1) the 'J, value obtained at the highest perfusion rates (Table 1: 'J,. = 1.90 ni min' at V0 = 41.80 nl mint); and a of 20 mosm/kg H20, that is, the osmolality gradient between the initial perfusate and bath. The value of P1 computed in this manner was, as indicated in Table 2, 1,900 m sec'. In order to obtain the value for 'J in equation 1, that is, the value for the rate of transepithelial osmosis at an infinitely high perfusion rate, the experimental data listed in Table 1 were plotted in reciprocal fashion, and the zero intercept was computed by linear regression analysis of the data. The results, shown in Figure 1, indicate that the zero intercept was 0.28 0.06 mm. nl', corresponding to a rjax of 3.57 0.79 J min', with a regression coefficient of 0.99. Table 3 summarizes these results and the P1 values computed according to equation 1: one obtains P1 = 3,560 787 p.m sec, with 95% confidence limits of 2,030 to 5,105 p.m sec 1. Thus, the value of P1 computed in this manner is, in accord with theoretical expectations, appreciably greater than the minimum value of P1 listed in Table 2. E > 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.06 1/V,minn/1 0.08 0.10 Fig. 1. Perfusion rate-dependence of transepithelial osmosis in isolated proximal convoluted tubules: Esti,nation of the hydraulic conductance. Finally, it should be noted that two other approaches besides the one shown in Figure 1 were used to compute the zero intercept of the relation between 1I'J, and 1/V0. In one case, we computed the linear regression of 1/'J, with 1/T0, using as test points each of the individual flux periods in each of Table 2. Minimum estimate of Pf VO 'J 0NaciPf,jl min ni. min' p.m. sec' 41.80 1.90 0.15 1290 97 For ONaCI = 0.68: Pr = 1900 144 a The 'iv value of 1.90 ni. min at " = 41.80 ni. min' is from Table 1. NccIPf was computed by substituting 'iv for 'Jr' in equation 1. The value of ctnac = 0.68 was obtained from Kokko et al [2]. See Text for definition of terms. the tubules. In the second case, the data shown in Figure 1 were analyzed using both second-order polynomial and exponential, nonlinear Marquart fitting procedures. All of these approaches gave regression coefficients which were less than that shown in Figure 1; and both approaches also gave zero intercepts (i.e., 1I'J.,at 1[ = 0) which yielded P1 values within the 95% confidence limits indicated in Table 3. Table 3. Estimate of Pf from the linear regression of l/'j on I/V' l/'jv JO.X cp n1' ni min' p.m. sec 0.28 0.06 3.57 0.79 2420 5.7 For O'NaCI = 0.68: P = 3,560 787.vm sec with 95% confidence limits of 2,030 to 5,105 am sec' a The value of li'j, the zero intercept from Fig. I was used to obtain 'Jr". The latter value was substituted into equation I to compute Pf. The data are expressed as mean values SEM. The value of ONaCl = 0.68 was obtained from Kokko et al [2]. Discussion The experiments reported in this paper were designed to assess the axial flow-dependence of radial transepithelial osmosis in superficial rabbit proximal convoluted tubules and to permit a realistic estimate for the overall transepithelial hydraulic conductance of this nephron segment. The approach, developed previously [1] in connection with an assessment of the hydraulic conductance of superficial proximal straight tubules, depends on the following considerations. When a leaky epithelium such as a proximal renal tubule is perfused and bathed with hypotonic and isotonic sodium chloride solutions, respectively, and active transport is absent, the driving force for radial transepithelial osmosis at any plane x normal to the axial tubule length is: where NaCI -. b'.- b is the osmolar sodium chloride con-

Hydraulic conductance of proximal convoluted tubule 267 centration difference between lumen and bath. For a tubule of length L, the effective net transepithelial osmotic driving force is: 0NaCI (C1 Cb), where Cb is the sodium chloride concentration in the bath and C1, the integrated luminal sodium chloride concentration, is given by the expression: fl J L (2) where C, is the sodium chloride concentration at any plane x normal to the tubule. Both C, and the axial sodium chloride concentration profile depend, for a given tubule length and a given initial perfusion rate, on three major determinants [1]: the rate of fluid efiuux from the tubule lumen; the diffusional flux of solute from bath to lumen; and luminal effiux of solute by coupling to solvent flow. But prior estimates of the hydraulic conductance of proximal convoluted tubules, using either in vitro [21 or in vivo [3 6] techniques, have considered only one of these variables in assessing C,, that is, fluid efflux from the tubule lumen. Nor have these studies [2 61 dealt explicitly with the axial flow dependence of transepithelial osmosis. It is evident that as axial perfusion rate increases, the effects of radial solute and solvent transport processes on axial solute concentration profiles become correspondingly less; and in the limit, as the initial perfusion rate approaches infinity, C1 approaches the osmolality of the initial perfusate [I]. As a consequence, three general results are obtained. The absolute rate of radial transepithelial osmosis, for a given osmolality difference between initial perfusate and bath, increases monotonically with increasing axial perfusion rate (Table 1). Next, a minimum estimate of P1 is calculated by using equation 1 and the 'J, values are measured at the highest initial perfusion rates which are experimentally feasible (cf., Table 2). Evidently, the Pf estimate listed in Table 2 represents a minimum value, since the 'J value used to compute P1 is obtained using a perfusion rate at which the dependence of 'J on V is still marked. A direct estimate for IJ)( in equation 1 is derived from the linear regression of 1/'i. with l/t (Fig. I): the zero intercept is 0.28 0.06 mm n1' and gives a calculated Pf of 3,560 787 m sec with 95% confidence limits of 2,030 to 5,105.tm sec' (Table 3). This range of values is in close accord with our estimate of P1 in isolated proximal straight tubules [1] and with certain micropuncture determinations of P1 in rat proximal convoluted tubules [3, 4, 6], but it is greater than the Pf value reported by Kokko et al [2] for isolated rabbit proximal convoluted tubules. It is instructive to consider the relevance of the present estimate of the transepithelial hydraulic conductance of the isolated proximal convoluted tubule to the mechanism(s) of isotonic fluid transport in this nephron segment. It now seems probable that, given the remarkably high ionic conductances [13] of the paracellular pathway in these tubules, diffusion equilibrium may be obtained between intercellular spaces and bath during spontaneous isotonic fluid absorption [11, 12]. Consequently, driving forces other than the intercellcular space hypertonicity model proposed by Diamond and Bossert [14] may be required to account for isotonic fluid absorption coupled to solute transport. We have argued that these driving forces arise between luminal and bathing solutions [11, 12, 15]. According to this view, the effective osmotic driving force between luminal and bathing solutions which drives isotonic fluid transport is: n = Cb1), w 1=1 (3) where, for the ith solute, o is the reflection coefficient, C1, is the integrated luminal osmolar concentration, and Cb, is the bath osmolar concentration. The average rate of spontaneous fluid absorption that occurs when these tubules are perfused with Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffers containing organic solutes (e.g., alanine, glucose, citrate, and acetate) and bathed with comparable buffers containing albumin is in the range of 1.0 ni. min' mm-' [2, 13, 16 19], or for an internal diameter of 26.16 j.m (cf. Methods), 2.03 x 10' cm3 sec' cm2. Inserting this value and a Pf of 3,500 sec' into equation 3, we have: (C,, Cb,) = 3.2 mosm/kg H,O or 58.4 mm Hg. Moreover, using Pf values of 5,105 m sec-1 and 2,030 sec1 (i.e., the 95% confidence limits for P, listed in Table 3) in equation 3, we obtain effective osmotic driving forces of 2.2 and 5.5 mosm/ kg H20, respectively. Indeed, even using the minimum estimate of Pf = 1,900 pm sec' listed in Table 2, the required effective osmotic driving force between luminal and bathing solutions is 5.9 mosm/ kg H20.

268 Andreoli et a! In other words, given the transepithelial hydraulie conductance of these tubules, one may account for spontaneous isotonic fluid transport coupled to solute absorption in terms of a remarkably small effective osmolality gradient between luminal and bathing solutions, even in the absence of intercellular space hypertonicity. Further, since the average rates of fluid absorption for in vivo proximal convoluted tubules of the rat [20] and rabbit [21] are in the range of 2.0 ni min mm-1, it seems reasonable to infer that relatively small effective osmotic gradients, in the range of 6 mosm/kg of water between lumen and interstitium, might also provide the osmotic driving force for proximal tubular fluid absorption in the in vivo situation. At least three potential mechanisms could result in such effective transepithelial osmotic gradients between luminal and bathing solutions. First, we have proposed [11, 121 following an earlier suggestion by Rector et al [22], that oppositely directed bicarbonate and chloride concentration gradients between luminal and pentubular fluids, arising as a consequence of preferential absorption of bicarbonate with respect to chloride, could provide a driving force for fluid transport. Experimentally, this seems to be the case in isolated superficial proximal straight tubules [11, 12], which are appreciably more permeable to chloride ions than to bicarbonate ions [11, 12, 23]. Whether such a phenomenon, however, occurs in isolated juxtamedullary nephron segments, whose ionic permeability properties differ from those of comparable superficial segments [24], remains an issue for evaluation. Second, Neumann and Rector [20] have proposed that if proximal convoluted tubules are more permeable to sodium chloride than to organic solutes, for example, glucose and amino acids, preferential absorption of the latter with respect to sodium chloride could also generate an effective driving force for proximal tubular fluid absorption. Clearly, both of the above mechanisms could operate with identical cryoscopic osmolalities between luminal and peritubular solutions. Finally, we have proposed [15] a model in which the axial generation of osmotic disequilibrium between luminal and peritubular media, that is, the development of luminal hypotonicity, also could serve as an osmotic driving force for proximal tubular fluid absorption. And as indicated in connection with equation 3, only trivial degrees of luminal hypotonicity, well beyond the limits of detection with conventional techniques, would be required to account for the rates of spontaneous fluid absorption observed with in vivo superficial proximal convoluted tubules. Evidently, additional work will be required to evaluate this possibility. Acknowledgments This work was supported by research grants from the American Heart Association (75-805), the National Science Foundation (BMS 74-13645), and the National Institutes of Health (Am 14873). Reprint requests to Dr. T. E. Andreoli, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Alabama in Birmingham, University Station, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, U.S.A. References 1. SCHAFER JA, PATLAK CS, TROUTMAN SL, ANDREOLI TE: Volume absorption in the pars recta: H. The hydraulic conductance coefficient. Am J Physiol 234:F340 F348, 1978 2. 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