Potassium secretion along the inner medullary collecting duct

Abstract

Potassium transport along the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) was evaluated by the microcatheterization technique in Charles River CD (cesarean derived) rats 7-9 days after sham operation (S) or uninephrectomy (UNPX). The fraction of filtered potassium (TF/P)K/In) as a function of IMCD length was analyzed by linear regression. In 13 S rats there was a significant correlation and slope (P less than 0.001) and (TF/P)K/In increased from 14% at the beginning of the IMCD to 25% in the urine. IMCD potassium secretion accounted for about half of the excreted potassium. In the UNPX rats a significant correlation and slope was also obtained (P less than 0.001); (TF/P)K/In at the beginning of IMCD was 24% and increased to 36% in the urine. No difference in slope was noted between the groups. There was a slightly greater absolute potassium secretion after UNPX (0.77 +/- 0.03 S vs. 0.93 +/- 0.04 mueq/min UNPX), but this did not account for most of the difference in potassium excretion noted. We conclude that net potassium secretion occurs along the IMCD in S and UNPX rats. After UNPX, there is significantly greater potassium delivery to the IMCD and a greater kaluresis. The increased kaluresis cannot be accounted for primarily by increased potassium secretion along the IMCD.