Protein kinase inhibition differentially regulates organic cation transport.

Previous studies showed that amantadine transport increased while tetraethylammonium (TEA) transport decreased in kidney tissue from diabetic rats. Changes in transport activity were reversed by exogenous insulin. We hypothesized that this difference in transport regulation is due to differential regulation of different transport systems. Native human embryonic kidney cortex cells (HEK293 cell line) and rat organic cation transporter (rOCT)-transfected cells were used to test the hypothesis. In support of differential regulation, short-term glucose starvation stimulated amantadine transport and inhibited TEA transport, but the effect was bicarbonate-modulated only for amantadine. cAMP analogues inhibited TEA transport while stimulating amantadine transport. This effect was additive to the effect of insulin, and the presence of bicarbonate affected the extent of the change. Our findings indicated that regulation of rOCT 1 and 2 was mediated by transmembrane adenylyl cyclase, and regulation of amantadine transport was mediated by soluble adenylyl cyclase, suggesting that intracellular microdomains of cAMP may be important in determining overall cellular transport for organic cations. Soluble adenylyl cyclase activity is known to be modulated by bicarbonate and lactate. These observations support our hypothesis and reconcile our previous studies demonstrating increased transport affinity for amantadine in the presence of bicarbonate and decreased transport affinity in the presence of lactate.

Role of MAPK and PKA in regulation of rbOCT2-mediated renal organic cation transport.

The effects of protein kinases MAPK and PKA on the regulation of organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) were investigated both in a heterologous cell system [Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells stably transfected with rabbit (rb)OCT2] and in native intact rabbit renal proximal S2 segments. Inhibition of MEK (by U-0126) or PKA (by H-89) reduced transport activity of rbOCT2 in CHO-K1 cells. The inhibitory effect of U-0126 combined with H-89 produced no additive effect, indicating that the action of PKA and MAPK in the regulation of rbOCT2 is in a common pathway. Activation of PKA by forskolin stimulated rbOCT2 activity, and this stimulatory effect was eliminated by H-89, indicating that the stimulation required PKA activation. In S2 segments of rabbit renal proximal tubules, activation of MAPK (by EGF) and PKA (by forskolin) stimulated activity of rbOCT2, and this activation was abolished by U-0126 and H-89, respectively. This is the first study to show that MAPK and PKA are involved, apparently in a common pathway, in the regulation of OCT2 activity in both a heterologous cell system and intact renal proximal tubules.

Ion permeation and block of P2X(2) purinoceptors: single channel recordings.

P2X(2) purinoceptors are cation-selective channels activated by ATP and its analogues. Using single channel measurements we studied the channel's selectivity for the alkali metal ions and organic monovalent cations NMDG(+), Tris(+), TMA(+), and TEA(+). The selectivity sequence for currents carried by alkali metal ions is: K(+) > Rb(+) > Cs(+) > Na(+) > Li(+), which is Eisenman sequence IV. This is different from the mobility sequence of the ions in free solution suggesting there is weak interaction between the ions and the channel interior. The relative conductance for alkali ions increases linearly in relation to the Stokes radius. The organic ions NMDG(+), Tris(+), TMA(+) and TEA(+) were virtually impermeant. The divalent ions (Mn(2+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+) and Ba(2+)) induced a fast block visible as a reduction in amplitude of the unitary currents. Using a single-site binding model, the divalent ions exhibited an equilibrium affinity sequence of Mn(2+) > Mg(2+) > Ca(2+) > Ba(2+).

A transfected cell model for the renal toxin transporter, rOCT2.

A cDNA for the organic cation transporter (rOCT2) of the rat kidney was inserted into the retroviral plasmid pLXSN. This plasmid was used to stably transfect NIH3T3 cells. The transfected cell line exhibited an enhanced rate of tetraethylammonium (TEA) uptake and efflux compared to wild-type NIH3T3 cells. Uptake of TEA by the transfected cells was markedly reduced upon incubation at 4 degrees C. When the extracellular pH was lowered from 8.1 to 5.9, uptake was also reduced, suggesting inhibition of rOCT2 by extracellular protons. The apparent K(m) for TEA in the transfected cells was 141 microM. The classical organic cation transport inhibitors, cyanine 863 and cimetidine, produced noncompetitive inhibition with apparent Ki values of 0.81 and 198 microM, respectively. Daunomycin, vinblastine, and the deoxyadenosine analogs, 2'-deoxytubercidin and 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine, did not appear to be substrates for rOCT2. However, the anticancer drug, cisplatin, competitively inhibited TEA uptake by rOCT2 with an apparent Ki value of 925 microM, suggesting that rOCT2 may play a role in its renal secretion. In summary, transfected NIH3T3 cells provide a facile system by which this and other organic ion transporters can be studied.

The K channel blocker, tetraethylammonium, displaces beta-endorphin and naloxone from T-cell binding sites.

Beta-endorphin and naloxone bind to Jurkat cell membrane preparations and can mutually displace each other from membrane binding sites. Tetraethylammonium ion, a potassium channel blocker, competitively displaces beta-endorphin and naloxone from membrane binding sites. Mitogen stimulated calcium ion flux is inhibited by tetraethyl ammonium and this inhibition is relieved by naloxone. With data derived from whole cell calcium ion flux studies, we accurately calculated the competitive displacement of beta-endorphin and naloxone from membrane preparations by tetraethylammonium thus showing that the action of these agents on potassium channels does not require second messengers. Using the resuspension induced ion flux technique, we find that beta-endorphin competes against naloxone for binding to Jurkat cells and naloxone competes against charybdotoxin, a potassium channel inhibitor, which like tetraethylammonium, is known to bind to the outer vestibule of the channel. Patch clamp electrophysiological studies show that beta-endorphin and naloxone exert complex actions on potassium channels in the presence or absence of mitogens. We conclude that one molecule of beta-endorphin or naloxone, but not both at the same time, bind to an area near the charybdotoxin/tetraethylammonium binding locus of Jurkat potassium channels.

A large conductance, Ca2+-activated K+ channel in a human lung epithelial cell line (A549).

A large conductance, Ca2+-activated K+ channel in a human lung epithelial cell line (A549) was identified using the single channel patch clamp technique. Channel conductance was 242 +/- 33 pS (n = 67) in symmetrical KCl (140 mM). The channel was activated by membrane depolarization and increased cytosolic Ca2+. High selectivity was observed for K+ over Rb+(0.49) > Cs+(0.14) > Na+(0.09). Open probability was significantly decreased by Ba2+ (5 mM) and quinidine (5 mM) to either surface, but TEA (5 mM) was only effective when added to the external surface. All effects were reversible. Increasing cytosolic Ca2+ concentration from 10(-7) to 10(-6) M caused an increase in open probability from near zero to fully activated. ATP decreased open probability at approximately 2 mM, but the effect was variable. The channel was almost always observed together with a smaller conductance channel, although they could both be seen individually. We conclude that A549 cells contain large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels which could explain a major fraction of the K+ conductance in human alveolar epithelial membranes.

Buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) and N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)succinimide nephrotoxicity: temporal aspects of BSO administration and BSO effects on renal transport systems.

The agricultural fungicide, N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)succinimide (NDPS) induces acute polyuric renal failure which is attenuated by pretreatment with the glutathione depletors, diethyl maleate or buthionine sulfoximine (BSO). In the present study, the temporal aspects of BSO attenuation of NDPS nephrotoxicity were investigated. In addition, the ability of BSO to alter the renal accumulation of selected organic ions was examined as a possible mechanism for BSO's ability to attenuate NDPS nephrotoxicity. In the first set of experiments, NDPS (0.2 or 0.4 mmol/kg) or vehicle (sesame oil, 2.5 ml/kg) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to groups of male Fischer 344 rats (4-8 rats/group) 0.25 or 2 h prior to BSO (890 mg/kg, i.p.) and renal function was monitored at 24 and 48 h. NDPS (0.4 mmol/kg) nephrotoxicity was markedly attenuated by administration of BSO at 0.25 h post-NDPS, but was not substantially altered by injection of BSO at 2 h post-NDPS. NDPS (0.2 mmol/kg)-induced renal effects were not potentiated by BSO injected at 0.25 h post-NDPS, and only 1 of 8 rats exhibited marked nephrotoxicity when BSO was administered at 2 h post-NDPS. In the second set of experiments, rats (4/group) were administered BSO (890 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle (0.9% saline, 10 ml/kg) and kidneys harvested at 2 or 5 h post-treatment. The ability of renal cortical slices to accumulate organic ions (p-aminohippurate [PAH], alpha-aminoisobutryic acid [AIB] or tetraethylammonium [TEA]) during a 90 min incubation was studied. Only TEA accumulation by renal cortical slices prepared from the 2 h post-treatment group was reduced. Studies were also conducted to examine the in vitro effects of BSO (10(-7)-10(-4) M) on the accumulation of PAH, AIB and TEA by renal cortical slices following 5, 15 or 90 min co-incubations of BSO and an organic ion BSO had no significant effects on the accumulation of any organic ion studied at any time point. These results indicate that BSO can still attenuate NDPS nephrotoxicity when administered at 0.25 h post-NDPS, but BSO loses effectiveness when given 2 h post-NDPS. These results also suggest that BSO is attenuating NDPS nephrotoxicity via glutathione depletion rather than altering renal accumulation of NDPS metabolites via renal PAH, TEA or AIB transporters.

Full and partial agonists induce distinct desensitized states of the 5-HT3 receptor.

5-HT3 receptor-mediated ion currents evoked by the full agonists 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (5-HT), quaternary 5-HT (5-HTQ), meta-chlorophenylbiguanide (mCPBG) and the partial agonists dopamine and tryptamine have been investigated in whole-cell voltage clamp experiments on N1E-115 mouse neuroblastoma cells. All agonists desensitize the 5-HT3 receptor completely with a steep concentration dependence and a potency order of: mCPBG > 5-HTQ approximately 5-HT > > tryptamine > dopamine. The time course of recovery from desensitization depends on the agonist used. Recovery from partial agonist-induced desensitization is single exponential, whereas the desensitization induced by full agonists recovers with sigmoid kinetics, suggesting at least 3 transitions between 4 states. It is concluded that full and partial agonists induce distinct desensitized states.

Enhancement by dibutyryl cyclic AMP of voltage-dependent Ca2+ and K+ currents in the guinea-pig vas deferens.

This study was designed to investigate a possible role for intracellular cyclic AMP involved in agonist-induced changes in electrical activity of smooth muscle of the guinea-pig vas deferens. The action of dibutyryl adenosine 3', 5'-phosphate (dibutyryl cyclic AMP) (up to 30 microM) was examined in current- and voltage-clamp, using the double sucrose gap method. Under current-clamp, dibutyryl cyclic AMP clearly shortens the duration of action potential by hastening the rates of depolarization and of repolarization and increases the peak amplitude. Under voltage-clamp, dibutyryl cyclic AMP enhances the maximum ICa by increasing the conductance (ga), but without affecting its reversal potential (Ea) and kinetics in preparations in normal Krebs solution as well as in preparations in tetraethylammonium chloride loading solution. In normal Krebs solution, dibutyryl cyclic AMP also enhances the peak (Ib') and late outward K+ currents (Ib) by increasing the conductances (gb') and (gb), respectively. These results indicate that in vas deferens smooth muscle intracellular cyclic AMP may be of functional significance for activation of voltage-dependent peak and late IK channels as well as activation of voltage-dependent ICa channel.

Lack of correlation between para-aminophenol toxicity in vivo and in vitro in female Sprague-Dawley rats.

The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that para-aminophenol (PAP) nephrotoxicity is due to autooxidation. We compared renal functional responses following PAP administration to female Sprague-Dawley rats and following incubation of renal proximal tubules with PAP. The concentrations of PAP selected for in vitro incubations produced cytotoxicity (for example, a decrease in oxygen consumption or adenine nucleotide concentration) in rat renal epithelial cells or rabbit proximal tubule suspensions. In rats, PAP (300 mg/kg i.p.) caused proximal tubular necrosis within 24 hr. Changes in renal function 24 hr following PAP administration included increased kidney weight and blood urea nitrogen concentration and decreased renal glutathione (GSH) content and adenine nucleotide concentrations. PAP did not cause hepatic damage. Within 2-4 hr following PAP administration, renal GSH content and adenine nucleotide concentrations were significantly decreased. In renal cortical slices prepared from PAP-treated rats, oxygen consumption and accumulation of organic ions (para-aminohippurate and tetraethylammonium) were significantly decreased compared with renal cortical slices prepared from control rats. In liver, GSH content was significantly decreased from 1 to 4 hr following PAP administration. In contrast to the effects of PAP in vivo, renal proximal tubules showed little evidence of injury when incubated with 0.1 or 0.5 mM PAP for up to 4 hr in the presence or absence of amino acids in the incubation medium. When tubules were incubated with 1 mM PAP for 4 hr in the presence of amino acids, GSH content, AMP concentration, and TEA uptake were significantly decreased. When amino acids were removed from the incubation medium, 1 mM PAP caused decreases in oxygen consumption and ATP concentration after 4 hr of incubation. Functional changes observed during incubation with PAP in vitro were not consistent with functional changes observed in vivo. The discrepancy between PAP toxicity in vivo and in vitro suggests that autooxidation is unlikely to be responsible for PAP nephrotoxicity and that nephrotoxicity in vivo is primarily mediated by extrarenal bioactivation. Further, depletion of hepatic GSH content prior to changes in renal function suggests that PAP or a PAP metabolite may conjugate with hepatic GSH. These observations suggest that PAP nephrotoxicity may be mediated by PAP-GSH conjugates rather than autooxidation of PAP in the kidney.

Effect of renal ischaemia on organic compound transport in rabbit kidney proximal tubule.

This study was carried out to determine the effect of renal ischaemia on transport systems for organic compounds in the rabbit kidney proximal tubule. Ischaemia for 30 or 60 min. induced glucosuria and phosphaturia, which was accompanied by polyuria and natriuresis. The Na(+)-dependent uptake of glucose, succinate and L-glutamate by brush-border membrane vesicles was not altered by 30 or 60 min. of ischaemia, while the H+/tetraethylammonium antiport was significantly inhibited after 30 min. of ischaemia. When the duration of ischaemia was extended to 120 min. the uptake of glucose and succinate by brush-border membrane vesicles was also significantly attenuated, but the L-glutamate uptake was not altered. The uptake of glucose, succinate and L-glutamate by basolateral membrane vesicles was not impaired even with 120 min. of ischaemia, suggesting that transport systems for organic compounds in the brush-border membrane are more sensitive to ischaemia than those in the basolateral membrane. Ouabain-sensitive oxygen consumption in renal cortical slices was not depressed by 60 min. of ischaemia. When kidneys were reperfused for 60 min. following 60 min. of ischaemia, the Na(+)-glucose and Na(+)-succinate cotransport and the H+/tetraethylammonium antiport were not different from the control, but the recovery of alkaline phosphatase was significantly reduced. When kidneys were subjected to ischaemia for 60 min., a loss of brush-border microvilli and plasma membrane was observed after 5 or 60 min. of reflow in the proximal convoluted tubule. After 3 hr of reflow, focal necrosis appeared although the microvilli were partially regenerated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Consecutive use of hormonally defined serum-free media to establish highly differentiated human renal proximal tubule cells in primary culture.

Highly differentiated human proximal tubule (HPT) cells in primary culture were established from heterogeneous suspension of tubules prepared from the human renal cortex by an original two-step procedure. First, gluconeogenic-competent HPT cells were selected by using a hormonally defined serum-free medium without glucose or insulin; then, the selected HPT cells were grown in a medium containing a low concentration of glucose (1 mM) and insulin (0.5 micrograms/mL) but no antibiotics. HPT cells grown on plastic support formed confluent, cobblestone-like monolayers with numerous mitochondria and pinocytosis vacuoles, solitary cilia, junctional complexes, and a well-developed brush border consisting of densely packed microvilli. Compared with cell monolayers on plastic support, HPT cells grown on porous filter membranes showed better morphologic differentiation. HPT cell monolayers expressed the following differentiated functions of the proximal tubule in situ: a low-affinity, high-capacity Na(+)-dependent glucose transport system inhibited by phlorizin, a high-affinity Na(+)-dependent phosphate transport system, a basolateral organic cation uptake inhibited by mepiperphenidol, parathyroid hormone-sensitive cAMP synthesis, brush-border hydrolase activities, gluconeogenesis-associated enzymes, glutathione-S-transferases and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase. The medium containing low glucose and insulin concentrations markedly limited the increase in glycolysis but did not prevent the falls in gluconeogenesis and brush-border hydrolase activity at any time of the culture period. Similar decreases of brush border enzyme activities were obtained for HPT cells grown either on plastic or on porous filter membrane. A thorough characterization study demonstrated that this simple and preparative experimental approach makes it possible to establish highly differentiated HPT cells in primary culture suitable for investigating human renal proximal tubular cell function.

Organic cation transport by rat liver lysosomes.

Hepatic organic cation transport has been characterized in rat liver plasma membrane vesicles, using the quaternary amine tetraethylammonium (TEA) as a model substrate. Sinusoidal TEA uptake is stimulated by an inside-negative membrane potential; TEA transport across the canalicular membrane is mediated by electroneutral organic cation-H+ exchange. Substrates for these transport processes include procainamide ethobromide (PAEB) and vecuronium, cationic drugs that undergo biliary excretion. Given the apparent absence of sinusoidal transport mechanisms able to generate high hepatocyte-to-blood organic cation concentration ratios, intracellular transport of organic cations may involve sequestration and concentration within acidified organelles. Therefore, the characteristics of TEA uptake were examined in isolated rat liver lysosomes that are acidified by a well-described H(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase). Lysosomal uptake of [14C]TEA was a time- and ATP-dependent process, reaching steady state after 30-60 min. Steady-state [14C]TEA uptake was significantly reduced by omission of ATP and by addition of monensin, conditions that alter lysosomal pH and membrane potential gradients, and by the H(+)-ATPase inhibitors, N-ethylmaleimide and bafilomycin A. ATP-dependent lysosomal [14C]TEA uptake was significantly inhibited by PAEB, vecuronium, and other organic cationic substrates of canalicular TEA/H+ exchange. These findings demonstrate that rat liver lysosomes sequester certain organic cationic drugs, most likely via organic cation/H+ exchange driven by H(+)-ATPase. Canalicular organic cation/H+ exchange may reflect, in part, the exocytic insertion of this transporter from an intracellular compartment to this membrane domain.

Ion-transporting activity in the murine colonic epithelium of normal animals and animals with cystic fibrosis.

Electrogenic ion transport in the isolated colonic epithelium from normal and transgenic mice with cystic fibrosis (CF mice) has been investigated under short-circuit current (Isc) conditions. Normal tissues showed chloride secretion in response to carbachol or forskolin, which was sensitive to the Na-K-2Cl cotransport inhibitor, frusemide. Responses to both agents were maintained for at least 12 h in vitro, but the responses to carbachol changed in format throughout this period. By contrast CF colons failed to show the normal secretory responses to carbachol and forskolin, most preparations showing a decrease in Isc that was immediately reversed by frusemide. In CF colons addition of Ba2+ ions or tetraethylammonium (TEA+) to the apical bathing solution antagonised the reduction in Isc caused by the secretagogues. It is concluded that the reduction in Isc in CF colons is due to electrogenic K+ secretion and this was confirmed by flux studies using rubidium-86. In normal colons exposed to TEA+ the responses to forskolin were greater, but not significantly so, presumably because the minor K(+)-secretory responses are dominated by major chloride-secretory responses. Again rubidium-86 fluxes showed an increase of K+ secretion in normal colons receiving forskolin. Since the amiloride-sensitive current was not different in CF and normal colons there was no evidence that the CF mice were stressed in a way that increased mineralocorticoid levels and hence K+ secretion. Knowledge of the phenotype of the colonic epithelium of the CF mouse sets the baseline from which attempts at gene therapy for the gut must be judged.

A possibility that the ATP-sensitive potassium channel in coronary artery has a high-affinity internal binding site for tetraalkylammonium.

The functionally responsible sites for the blocking action of tetraalkylammonium ions (TAAs) in ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels opened by levcromakalim were estimated in canine coronary artery. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) and tetrabutylammonium (TBA) inhibited the levcromakalim-induced relaxation in a noncompetitive manner. Analyses of the noncompetitive antagonism revealed that the binding constant of TBA was about 900 times lower than that of TEA, although the reported affinity of TBA for the internal binding site in various K+ channels was only 10 times higher than that of TEA. TBA is much more lipid-soluble and permeable through membranes than TEA. Thus, TBA blocks KATP channels by binding to a possible high-affinity internal site for TAAs, whereas TEA seems to bind to the external site.

Inhibition of the renal uptake of p-aminohippurate and tetraethylammonium by the antioxidant ethoxyquin in the rat.

Ethoxyquin (6-ethoxy-2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinolein, EQ) is an antioxidant used in animal foodstuffs and to prevent superficial scalding in some fruits. In renal cortical slices prepared from male rats that had consumed a diet containing EQ, EQ inhibited the specific uptake of 14C-labelled p-aminohippurate ([14C]PAH) and tetraethylammonium ([14C]TEA), markers of organic anion and cation tubular secretion, respectively. The specific uptake of [14C]TEA was five-fold more sensitive to EQ than [14C]PAH uptake (IC50 0.33 and 1.51 mM, respectively). EQ (1 mM) decreased Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity from 1.58 to 1.0 mumol inorganic phosphate/mg protein/min in renal microsomes. The activity of this enzyme provides the energy for the function of both secretory systems. These results suggest that the mechanisms by which EQ inhibits both anion and cation tubular secretion involves a decrease in the Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity. This effect leads to interference with the energy supply required for these tubular secretory mechanisms. Our results indicate that the exposure of animals or humans to high concentrations of ethoxyquin should be avoided.

ATP-stimulated tetraethylammonium transport by rabbit renal brush border membrane vesicles.

These studies examined the ability of ATP to stimulate transport of the organic cation tetraethylammonium (TEA) into proximal tubular brush border membrane vesicles. ATP markedly enhanced TEA uptake for 1 h or more to values severalfold above those observed in the absence of ATP. The poorly hydrolyzable analogue of ATP, AMP-PNP (adenyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate), reduced the effect of ATP but alone did not stimulate TEA uptake. GTP and ITP also stimulated TEA uptake, whereas other nucleotides did not. ATP-stimulated TEA uptake was saturable, temperature-dependent, and markedly reduced by the organic cations amiloride, quinidine, cimetidine, and verapamil, but only modestly reduced by the organic cations N'-methylnicotinamide and choline. Some inhibitors of other transport ATPases, including N-ethylmaleimide, N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, and oligomycin, reduced the effect of ATP, whereas ouabain, vanadate, and azide did not. 4,4'-Diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid also reduced TEA uptake in the presence of ATP. Vinblastine, but not actinomycin D and colchicine (all inhibitors of P-glycoprotein-mediated transport), reduced TEA uptake. The reduction of TEA transport by amiloride and cimetidine was most consistent with competitive inhibition, whereas the inhibition produced by N-ethylmaleimide and vinblastine evidently was not. ATP also stimulated uptake of N'-methylnicotinamide but not that of vinblastine. These studies have identified a previously unrecognized process by which ATP hydrolysis may directly energize the reabsorption of organic cations from the renal tubule lumen.

Postnatal development of organic cation transport and mdr gene expression in mouse kidney.

The apical surface of the proximal tubular epithelium is the site of both P-glycoprotein localization and postulated active secretion of organic cations in the mammalian kidney. P-glycoprotein has been shown to act as a pleiotropic drug efflux pump across the cell membrane of tumor cells expressing the multidrug resistance phenotype, whereas the renal organic anion and organic cation secretory systems serve the function of pleiotropic drug transport across the proximal tubule epithelium. Because most known substrates for P-glycoprotein are organic cations, we tested the hypothesis that the physiological function of this protein in the kidney is to mediate renal organic cation secretion. In one approach, we compared the postnatal development of organic cation transport with that of kidney mdr gene expression. Cimetidine-sensitive uptake of classical substrates for renal secretion (N-methyl nicotinamide and tetraethylammonium) into kidney slices developed gradually in neonate mice, reaching adult capacity in 4 to 6 weeks. P-glycoprotein and its mRNA, as estimated by immunohistochemical methods and RNAse protection analysis, were undetectable at birth and were expressed abruptly at the adult level between 2 and 3 weeks of age. In another approach, classical inhibitors of renal organic cation secretion (cimetidine and cyanine 863) failed to reverse resistance to adriamycin in Chinese hamster ovary and P388 cell lines, which possess the phenotypic traits of multidrug resistance. These results suggest that the cimetidine-sensitive component of organic cation secretion is mediated by a protein other than the P-glycoprotein in the mammalian kidney.

Cephaloridine-induced renal pathological and biochemical changes in female rabbits and isolated proximal tubules in suspension.

Cephaloridine (Cld) is a nephrotoxic cephalosporin antibiotic. The intracellular biochemical changes that occur leading to Cld-induced nephrotoxicity may involve lipid peroxidation and/or mitochondrial injury. The purpose of this report was to examine and correlate the biochemical changes induced by Cld in vivo and in vitro with the observed pathological changes in an attempt to understand better the mechanisms of beta-lactam-induced nephrotoxicity. Cld treatment (500 mg/kg sc) caused elevations in blood urea nitrogen and decreases in the accumulation of p-aminohippurate (PAH) and tetraethylammonium (TEA) by renal cortical slices. Histopathological alterations, characterized by individual cell necrosis of tubular epithelial cells, were first seen 6 hr after treatment in the pars recta of the outer stripe of the medulla. Ultrastructural alterations involved the straight (S2 and S3) segments of the proximal tubules. Mitochondrial morphology was, for the most part, unaffected by Cld exposure. Cld did not cause any significant changes in tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) content in vivo at any of the time points examined, but it did cause a depletion of GSH to approximately 40% of control by 1 hr after dosing that recovered toward control by 6 hr. Significant changes were observed in renal ATP content beginning at 6 hr after treatment; however, this change mirrored the onset of histological evidence of necrosis. In isolated tubules in vitro, the onset of glutathione (GSH) depletion and MDA formation clearly preceded lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, whereas ATP depletion was a mirror image of cell death. These data demonstrate that isolated proximal tubules in vitro are a reasonable model for Cld nephrotoxicity in vivo. Cld-induced mitochondrial alterations leading to ATP depletion and cell injury were not observed in this study.

Effects of methylguanidine on sodium and organic ion transport.

We studied the acute effect of methylguanidine (MG), a suspected uremic toxin that accumulates in renal failure, on p-aminohippurate (PAH) and tetraethylammonium (TEA) uptake in rabbit kidney slices, on Na+,K+ ATPase activity in the microsomal fraction of rabbit kidneys, and on transepithelial active Na transport across toad skin. MG at concentrations ranging from 0.05 (similar to that reported in uremic patients) to 1.0 mM does not affect the organic anion (PAH) uptake, although it exhibits a concentration-dependent inhibition of organic cation (TEA) uptake. MG at concentrations from 0.05 to 5 mM had no effect on kidney Na+,K+ ATPase activity or on active transepithelial Na transport across toad skins when applied to the outside bathing solution; however, MG (greater than 1 mM) stimulated Na transport when applied to the inside bathing solution. These results are not consistent with the hypothesis that MG is a potential uremic toxin that causes the natriuresis and other toxic effects. However, long-term toxic effects of MG on the kidney were not assessed in the present study.