Amino acid transport by juxtamedullary nephrons: distal reabsorption and recycling

Amino acid transport by juxtamedullary (JM) nephrons and its relationship to transport by superficial cortical (SC) nephrons and to function of vasa recta and collecting ducts were examined in vivo and in situ by free-flow micropuncture of Henle's loops, collecting ducts, and vasa recta and by continuous microinfusion of Henle's loops in exposed rat papillae. Fractional deliveries (FDs) of six neutral amino acids, two acidic amino acids, and taurine to tips of Henle's loops of JM nephrons could be substantially below those to early distal loops of SC nephrons, indicating that reabsorption before loop tips could be greater in JM than in SC nephrons. FDs to collecting ducts lower than to JM loop tips suggested reabsorption distal to loop tips. This was confirmed by continuous microinfusion of ascending limbs of Henle's loops. Distal site of reabsorption is unknown, but amino acids may move passively out of the thin ascending limb and be recycled into vasa recta and descending limb. Recycling of amino acids was supported by high FDs to tips of Henle's loops (sometimes >1.0), higher concentrations in ascending than in descending vasa recta at same papilla level, and high mean concentrations in vasa recta.