High sodium intake increases HCO(3)- absorption in medullary thick ascending limb through adaptations in basolateral and apical Na+/H+ exchangers

Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2011 Aug;301(2):F334-43. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00106.2011. Epub 2011 May 25.

Abstract

A high sodium intake increases the capacity of the medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) to absorb HCO(3)(-). Here, we examined the role of the apical NHE3 and basolateral NHE1 Na(+)/H(+) exchangers in this adaptation. MTALs from rats drinking H(2)O or 0.28 M NaCl for 5-7 days were perfused in vitro. High sodium intake increased HCO(3)(-) absorption rate by 60%. The increased HCO(3)(-) absorptive capacity was mediated by an increase in apical NHE3 activity. Inhibiting basolateral NHE1 with bath amiloride eliminated 60% of the adaptive increase in HCO(3)(-) absorption. Thus the majority of the increase in NHE3 activity was dependent on NHE1. A high sodium intake increased basolateral Na(+)/H(+) exchange activity by 89% in association with an increase in NHE1 expression. High sodium intake increased apical Na(+)/H(+) exchange activity by 30% under conditions in which basolateral Na(+)/H(+) exchange was inhibited but did not change NHE3 abundance. These results suggest that high sodium intake increases HCO(3)(-) absorptive capacity in the MTAL through 1) an adaptive increase in basolateral NHE1 activity that results secondarily in an increase in apical NHE3 activity; and 2) an adaptive increase in NHE3 activity, independent of NHE1 activity. These studies support a role for NHE1 in the long-term regulation of renal tubule function and suggest that the regulatory interaction whereby NHE1 enhances the activity of NHE3 in the MTAL plays a role in the chronic regulation of HCO(3)(-) absorption. The adaptive increases in Na(+)/H(+) exchange activity and HCO(3)(-) absorption in the MTAL may play a role in enabling the kidneys to regulate acid-base balance during changes in sodium and volume balance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amiloride / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Bicarbonates / metabolism*
  • Loop of Henle / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sodium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Sodium Chloride, Dietary / metabolism
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchanger 1
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchanger 3
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bicarbonates
  • Slc9a1 protein, rat
  • Slc9a3 protein, rat
  • Sodium Channel Blockers
  • Sodium Chloride, Dietary
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchanger 1
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchanger 3
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers
  • Amiloride