The mechanism of Ca2+ transport by various segments of the distal nephron was studied in vitro using the isolated perfused tubule technique. Calcium absorption in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) and the granular portion of the cortical collecting duct (CCTg) was significantly enhanced in the presence of parathyroid hormone (PTH), 3 X 10(-2) U/ml. Na+ was absorbed from and K+ was secreted into the lumen of the DCT. The presence of amiloride (5 X 10(-5) M) or furosemide (5 X 10(-5) M) in the perfusate of DCT each caused a partial inhibition of Na+ but not Ca2+ absorption. The foregoing result with Na+ is consistent with the heterogeneous nature of DCT. Net Na+ absorption and K+ secretion also occurred in the CCTg; both processes were completely inhibited by amiloride. Ca2+ absorption occurred in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop; it was not enhanced by PTH, and the results were consistent with passive movement. No net Ca2+ movement was observed in the nongranular (light) segment of the cortical collecting tubule in the presence or absence of PTH or dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate.

A B S T R A C T Isolated cortical thick ascending limbs of Henle's loop were perfused in order to directly evaluate magnesium transport in this segment. Transepithelial potential difference was altered by varying the NaCl concentration in perfusate and bath and adding 50 ,uM furosemide to the perfusate. Perfusion under standard conditions with isotonic solutions resulted in a mean transepithelial potential difference of +8.8±0.7 mV and net magnesium absorption at a rate of 0.32±0.06 pmol/mm per min. Perfusion with a hypotonic solution significantly increased potential difference and the net absorptive rate of magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Conversely, reversal of the polarity of the potential difference with low NaCl bath and luminal furosemide produced net secretion of magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Parathyroid hormone in a bath concentration of 1.0 U/ml increased magnesium absorption from 0.34±0.06 to 0.63±0.06 pmol/mm per min (P < 0.001) and calcium from 0.52±0.08 to 0.97±0.08 pmol/mm per min (P < 0.001). Dibutyryl cyclic AMP produced similar effects on both calcium and magnesium absorption. Increasing bath calcium concentration twofold significantly inhibited net calcium absorption from 0.79±0.27 to 0.16±0.02 pmol/mm per min but magnesium transport was unaffected. Increasing bath magnesium concentration twofold significantly inhibited net magnesium absorption from 0.56±0.14 to -0.09±0.13 pmol/mm per min but had no effect upon net calcium transport. Net absorption of magnesium was significantly increased with increased concentraPortions of this study were presented at the 12th Annual Meeting of the

The mode and mechanism of phosphate transport in the light portion of the rabbit cortical collecting duct were studied with isolated tubular perfusion. Control studies (n = 48) revealed a mean transepithelial potential difference (PD) of -16.5 +/- 1.3 mV and net phosphate absorption (JPO4) of 0.58 +/- 0.07 pmol.mm-1.min-1. To characterize transport, the effects of flow rate, ouabain, amiloride, and phosphate concentration, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were analyzed. There was a significant linear relationship between JPO4 and flow rate (n = 48) (r = 0.71, P less than 0.025). Increasing the difference between lumen and bath phosphate concentration from -8.0 to +8.0 mg/dl was associated with a stepwise increase in JPO4 from -0.18 +/- 0.02 to 0.93 +/- 0.05 pmol.mm-1.min-1. PTH had no effect on JPO4. To assess the effects of PD, the tubules were treated with either amiloride (n = 6) or ouabain (n = 7). JPO4 fell significant in both circumstances with reduction of PD, although there remained significant residual transport following amiloride addition. The data demonstrate significant phosphate transport in this segment that is independent of PTH and altered by transepithelial electrical and concentration gradients as well as flow rate.

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