Cellular morphology in outer medullary collecting duct: effect of 75% nephrectomy and K+ depletion

The present study was designed to determine, in rats, whether 75% nephrectomy and potassium depletion affect the principal and intercalated cells in the outer medullary collecting duct in the same manner as they affect the principal and intercalated cells in the cortical collecting duct. Ten days after a 75% reduction of renal mass, whole animal glomerular filtration rate decreased and the fractional excretion of potassium increased in rats. However, no morphological changes occurred in either the principal or intercalated cells of the outer medullary collecting duct after the reduction of renal mass. When 75% nephrectomized rats were placed on a diet deficient in potassium, the concentration of potassium in plasma and the absolute and fractional excretion of potassium decreased significantly. In addition, marked hypertrophy occurred in both the principal and intercalated cells in the outer medullary collecting duct. Previous findings from the same animals used in the present study show that 75% nephrectomy caused hypertrophic changes in principal cells of the cortical collecting duct, which could be inhibited by potassium depletion induced by the dietary restriction of potassium. The findings also show that the intercalated cells of the cortical collecting duct in 75% nephrectomized rats were unaffected by potassium depletion. On the basis of our findings, it appears there is an absence of hypertrophy in either the principal or intercalated cells in the outer medullary collecting duct of the rat after renal mass in the animal is reduced significantly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)