Effects of chloride substitutes on PAH transport by isolated perfused renal tubules

Effects of substituting isethionate, methyl sulfate, or thiocyanate for chloride on p-aminohippurate (PAH) transport by isolated perfused snake (Thamnophis spp.) distal-proximal renal tubules were studied. In the perfusate, isethionate or methyl sulfate substitution irreversibly depressed net PAH secretion and the apparent PAH permeability of the luminal membrane by about 60-80%, whereas thiocyanate substitution had no effect. In the bathing medium, isethionate substitution reversibly stimulated net PAH secretion by about 35% without changing the apparent permeability of the peritubular membrane to PAH (Pp); thiocyanate substitution reversibly inhibited net PAH secretion by about 45% without affecting Pp; and methyl sulfate substitution had no effect. With simultaneous substitutions in perfusate and bath, isethionate depressed net PAH secretion irreversibly, whereas thiocyanate had no effect. Effects on PAH transport were not simply the result of changes in transepithelial potential or of changes in net transepithelial fluid movement. These data strengthen the concept that net PAH secretion involves different mediated steps at the peritubular and luminal membranes. Since these tubules are highly permeable to thiocyanate and poorly permeable to isethionate and methyl sulfate, the data suggest that the mediated step from cells to lumen does not require chloride in the lumen but does require a highly permeant anion.