Oxygen requirement of renal Na-K-ATPase-dependent sodium reabsorption

The oxygen requirement of the Na-K-ATPase-dependent sodium transport system was examined in anesthetized dogs infused with 15% mannitol-Ringer solutions at a rate of 35 ml/min. Because of renal vasodilatation and abolished autoregulation, filtered sodium (FNa) could be varied over a wide range by progressive aortic constriction. Sodium reabsorption (RNa) and renal oxygen consumption (RVO2) varied in proportion to FNa (r greater than 0.9). Ouabain, which inhibits Na-K-ATPases, reduced RVO2 by 45 +/- 6%. During subsequent aortic constriction, the ratio delta RNa/delta FNa averaged 0.45 (glomerulotubular balance) (r less than 0.9), whereas RVO2 was not significantly altered. Comparisons of deltaRNa/deltaFNa before and after ouabain administration, indicate that about half of an increase in sodium delivery to the distal nephron is reabsorbed by the Na-K-ATPase-dependent sodium transport system and that deltaRNa/deltaRVO2 (Na/O2 ratio) of this system averages 14.5 +/- 1.3. This Na/O2 ratio corresponds to 2.4 sodium ions transported per ATP dephosphorylated as found in other tissues.