Glomerular albumin filtration was investigated in the isolated perfused rat kidney and compared with in vivo experiments. Applying micropuncture techniques, we obtained samples from the glomerulus or adjacent early proximal convoluted tubules (EPT) of cortical nephrons and analyzed them for albumin using ultramicrodisc electrophoresis. By determining albumin in glomerular filtrate, we could calculate the sieving coefficient (EPTalb/Palb) directly. The control in vivo value was 0.27 +/- 0.05 X 10(-3) (N = 11). In the isolated perfused rat kidney, the sieving coefficient was 2.1 +/- 0.8 X 10(-3), N = 18 (30 g/liter albumin in perfusate) and 2.3 +/- 0.8 X 10(-3), N = 13 (50 g/liter albumin in perfusate), which is approximately eight times the control in vivo value. With elevated renal venous pressure (20 cm H2O), it increased further to 5.4 +/- 1.6 X 10(-3), N = 8. In all experiments, GFR and proximal transit times were similar to the in vivo controls. Although no major morphologic changes could be detected in any instance, the albumin filtration was greatly elevated. These data confirm the role of a functional barrier in the prevention of glomerular albumin filtration.

The effect of different albumin concentrations on whole kidney function has been studied in the isolated perfused rat kidney. When a dialyzer was included in the perfusion circuit, GFR and sodium transport remained nearly constant for 2 h. Perfusion flow rate was directly correlated with albumin concentration. GFR was low (0.56 ml.min-1.g-1) at high albumin concentration (7.6 g/100 ml) and highest (1.38 ml.min-1.g-1) when albumin was omitted. The latter observation differed from earlier findings by other investigators who found a reduced GFR in the absence of albumin. This reduced GFR could be explained by ureteral backpressure, which results from the use of narrow ureter catheters. Fractional sodium reabsorption was approximately 50% irrespective of load when albumin was absent, and reached 90% at a GFR of 0.95 ml.min-1.g-1 when 5-6 g/100 ml albumin was used. At reduced load, fractional sodium reabsorption approached in vivo values of 98%. Potassium secretion was observed at high urinary flow rates when albumin concentration was low; low urinary flow rates at high protein concentration were associated with net potassium reabsorption.

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Wiechert-A llee 9, 3000 Hannover 6I, and 3Zentralinstitut fiir Versuchstiere, Let/ow-Vorbeck-A llee 57, 3000Hannover 91, Federal Republic of Germany 95 Summary A variety of sex-dependent urinary proteins of low molecular weight, absent in females and in castrated males, can be identified in male rats by disc electrophoresis. In the urine of male rats of age 5·5 months, albumin comprises only 1-2% of the total protein. Albumin excretion increases greatly with age and associated kidney disease. Total protein excretion, however, stays the same or even decreases slightly as the rat ages, due to a loss of low molecular weight, sex-dependent, proteins. These are virtually absent in senescent rats (38 months of age), although total protein excretion rises tenfold in these animals due to high molecular weight plasma proteins passing into the urine; the glomerular filtration rate decreases to 70% of the value measured at 5·5 months of age.