Amiloride analogues inhibit proximal tubule metabolism

The effects of two amiloride analogues, ethylisopropylamiloride and methylisopropylamiloride, were tested on active Na+ transport and oxidative metabolism of a rabbit proximal renal tubule suspension. These two analogues have been recently reported to inhibit Na+-H+ antiport activity of various tissues with greater potency than amiloride. In proximal tubules, no effects were detected at concentrations less than 10(-4) M. At concentrations greater than 10(-4) M, both of these compounds inhibited the ouabain-sensitive O2 consumption (a direct measure of Na+ pump activity) with a greater potency than amiloride. Investigations into possible metabolic effects revealed that both amiloride analogues inhibited mitochondrial production of ATP at these concentrations, whereas amiloride did not directly affect metabolism. The amiloride analogues inhibited the nystatin-stimulated O2 consumption (which measures Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the intact cells) as well as the ATP content. These results suggest that the primary effects of these analogues on rabbit proximal tubules are to inhibit both the Na+-K+-ATPase and oxidative metabolism.