It is well known that K restriction suppresses renal K excretion (2). This is achieved, at least in part, by decreasing the apical K conductance in the cortical collecting duct (CCD) 1 and by stimulating K absorption in the outer medullary collecting duct (3, 4). However, the mechanism by which low K intake suppresses the apical K channels is not completely understood. We previously demonstrated that low K intake increased the expression of Src family protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) such as c-Src and c-Yes (1) and that inhibition of PTK increased the apical ROMK-like small conductance (SK) channels (1). This suggests that PTK is involved in mediating the effect of low K intake on the apical K channels and that increases in PTK activity and expression are important for suppression of renal K secretion during K depletion.Low K intake has been reported to increase the production of O 2. anion in rabbit carotid arteries (5). Moreover, it has beenshown that H 2 O 2 stimulates the phosphorylation of c-Jun in endothelial cells, an indication of activation of transcription factor (6). Therefore, it is possible that increases in O 2 . or related products induced by low K intake may be an upstream signal responsible for mediating the effect of low K intake on PTK expression and K secretion in the kidney. This hypothesis was tested in the present study by examining whether O 2 . and related products such as H 2 O 2 can mimic the effect of low K intake and stimulate the expression of PTK in the CCD. We also examined whether decreases in O 2 . and related products with tempol could attenuate the effect of low K intake on c-Src expression, ROMK channel activity, and renal K excretion.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURESAnimals-Sprague-Dawley rats (6 -8 weeks, either sex) were purchased from Taconic Farms (Germantown, NY). Rats were housed in metabolic cages for 7 days to study urinary K excretion. After 3 days of training in the cage, rats were divided into three groups: 1) control group in which animals were kept on a normal K (1.1%) diet and had a daily intraperitoneal injection of saline for 1 week; 2) the low K group in which rats were maintained on a K-deficient (KD) diet and received a daily intraperitoneal injection of saline for 7 days; and 3) the tempol-treated group in which rats were also fed with KD diet and had a daily intraperitoneal injection of tempol (15 mg/kg) for 1 week. Data regarding the 24-h food intake, body weight, and urine output were recorded. Urinary Na and K concentrations were measured by a flame photometer, and daily Na and K excretion were calculated as mEq/24 h. Animals were anesthetized with pentobarbital (60 mg/kg), and blood samples were drawn from the heart to measure the plasma K and Na concentrations. Rats were then killed, and the abdomens were opened to remove the kidneys.Tissue Preparation-The renal cortex and the outer medulla were separated under a dissecting microscope and suspended in radioimmune precipitation assay buffer solution (1:8 ratio, w/v) containing 1ϫ phosphate-buffered saline, 1% No...