Role of angiotensin II in glomerulotubular balance

Inhibition of angiotensin II activity reduces reabsorption of both bicarbonate and chloride predominantly in the S1 subsegment of the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT). Because the S2 PCT is intrinsically better able to compensate for the increased delivery of bicarbonate compared with chloride under normal conditions, we reasoned that angiotensin II inhibition might selectively raise the amount of sodium chloride emerging from the PCT. Free-flow micropuncture techniques were used in normal and alkalotic Munich-Wistar rats that were euvolemic or plasma volume depleted. In the normal volume-depleted animals, saralasin caused a small rise in single-nephron glomerular filtration rate (29.5 +/- 0.6 to 31.5 +/- 0.6 nl/min, P less than 0.025) and fall in bicarbonate and chloride reabsorption in the 1st mm (S1) PCT (387 +/- 22 to 348 +/- 23 peq.mm-1.min-1, P less than 0.05, and 341 +/- 27 to 217 +/- 57 peq.mm-1.min-1, P less than 0.05, respectively). Reabsorptive compensation by the S2 PCT maintained the end-PCT delivery of bicarbonate unchanged (76 +/- 4 to 78 +/- 3 peq.mm-1.min-1, NS), but end-PCT chloride delivery increased significantly (2,014 +/- 41 to 2,248 +/- 29 peq.mm-1.min-1, P less than 0.01). Early distal convoluted tubule (DCT) and urinary bicarbonate excretion were unchanged, but DCT chloride delivery increased associated with a chloruresis. When metabolic alkalosis was present, however, S2 compensation for increased bicarbonate delivery was attenuated so that end-PCT, DCT, and urinary bicarbonate as well as chloride delivery rates increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)