Micropuncture study of renal potassium excretion in the rat

G Malnic, RM Klose, G Giebisch - American Journal of …, 1964 - journals.physiology.org
G Malnic, RM Klose, G Giebisch
American Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content, 1964journals.physiology.org
Samples of proximal and distal tubular fluid were collected from rats maintained on a control,
a low-K, or a high-K, low-Na diet. All animals received inulin-C14. Plasma (P) and tubular
fluid (TF) were analyzed for Na and K by dual-channel microflame photometry and assayed
for radioactivity. Transtubular electrical potential differences were measured by means of
glass microelectrodes. Mean TF/P ratios for potassium in the proximal tubule were slightly
below unity in all groups of animals. A comparison of the relative increase in K and inulin …
Samples of proximal and distal tubular fluid were collected from rats maintained on a control, a low-K, or a high-K, low-Na diet. All animals received inulin-C14. Plasma (P) and tubular fluid (TF) were analyzed for Na and K by dual-channel microflame photometry and assayed for radioactivity. Transtubular electrical potential differences were measured by means of glass microelectrodes. Mean TF/P ratios for potassium in the proximal tubule were slightly below unity in all groups of animals. A comparison of the relative increase in K and inulin-C14 along the distal tubule indicates: 1) net movement of potassium into the tubular lumen in most control animals; 2) net movement of K into the tubular lumen of high-K, low-Na, sulfate-loaded animals, and in dichlorphenamide-treated animals on a control diet; and 3) the possibility of continued net reabsorption of potassium along the distal tubule and, particularly, the collecting duct in animals kept on a low-K diet. Distal tubular entry of potassium occurs down an electrochemical potential gradient.
American Physiological Society