Rat proximal convoluted tubules were perfused in vivo to examine the active and passive components of chloride absorption. Chloride flux was a linear function of the transepithelial electrochemical driving force, yielding a permeability coefficient of 20.6 X 10(-5) cm/s. In the absence of an electrochemical driving force, chloride absorption persisted at the rate of 131 peq/mm X min, thus demonstrating active absorption of chloride. Addition of luminal cyanide to tubules absorbing chloride inhibited net chloride absorption. In tubules perfused with a low luminal chloride concentration in which there was net chloride secretion, addition of luminal cyanide increased the magnitude of net chloride secretion. These studies demonstrate that transepithelial chloride transport involves two components: a passive paracellular flux and an active transcellular flux. Cyanide affects net chloride flux by inhibiting active transcellular chloride absorption.
R J Alpern, K J Howlin, P A Preisig
Guidelines: The Editorial Board will only consider letters that we deem relevant and of interest to our readers. We will not post data that have not been subjected to peer review, nor will we post letters that are essentially a reiteration of another letter. We reserve the right to edit any letter for length, content, and clarity. Authors will be notified by e-mail if their letters were accepted. No appeals will be considered.
Specific requirements: All letters must be 400 words or fewer. You may enter the letter as plain text or HTML. The author's name and e-mail address are required, and will be posted with the letter. All possible conflicts of interest must be noted, even if they are not posted. If you wish to include a figure (keep in mind that non-peer-reviewed data will not be posted), please contact the editors directly at editors@the-jci.org.