Effects of ouabain and amiloride on Na pathways in turtle bladders

In a Na-rich bathing system, addition of amiloride to the mucosal fluid of turtle bladders produces decreased in the transepithelial potential difference (PD), short-circuiting current (I-sc), and conductance. Removal of amiloride results in complete reversal of these changes; and this reversibility is incomplete in amiloride-blocked bladders exposed to ouabain. In a Na-free bathing system, step increased in mucosal [Na] evoke rapid initial spikes in PD, Isc, and conductance, the magnitudes of which are independent of prior ouabain treatment. After these spikes, PD and Isc in the ouabain-treated bladder rapidly decay, while conductance remains unchanged and high. This unchanging conductance, plus the fact that ouabain inhibits half the microsomal (Na plus K). ATPase of this tissue within 1 min, suggests that ouabain inhibits Na pumping without changing tissue conductance. The delayed decrease in conductance (beginning 30 min after ouabain addition), a nonspecific and secondary effect of ouabain, is due to a concomitant collapse of the intercellular channels.