Cell volume regulation in rabbit proximal straight tubule perfused in vitro

Volume regulation in the perfused proximal nephron of the rabbit was examined quantitatively with a computer-based method for estimating cell volume from differential interference-contrast microscopic images of isolated nephron segments. Following a hyperosmotic challenge (290-390 mosmol), the cells shrank as simple osmometers without a subsequent regulatory volume increase. Conversely, cell swelling induced by a hyposmotic challenge (290-190 mosmol) was completely reversed with a triphasic time course in which a rapid (less than 2 min) initial volume decline was followed by secondary swelling and shrinking phases. A similar regulatory volume decrease was observed following isosmotic cell swelling that was induced by exposure to 290 mosmol, urea-containing solutions. In addition, the cells partially reversed isosmotic swelling that was induced by the luminal replacement of a relatively impermeant cation (i.e., choline) with Na+ and a concomitant increase in luminal solute entry. Our results support two conclusions. First, there exist quantitative differences between the volume regulatory behaviors of perfused and nonperfused proximal tubules, the latter of which exhibit an incomplete and monotonic reversal of hyposmotic cell swelling (M. Dellasega and J. Grantham, Am. J. Physiol. 224: 1288-1294, 1973). Second, the primary physiological role of cell volume regulation in the proximal nephron may be to minimize isosmotic cell swelling associated with acute imbalances in the rates of cell solute entry and exit.