Response of collecting tubule cells to aldosterone and potassium loading

To investigate the sites of action of aldosterone (Aldo) and chronic potassium loading (high K) and to determine whether dietary K can modulate collecting duct structure independent of Aldo, a morphometric study of the structure of the initial collecting tubule (ICT), the cortical collecting tubule (CCT), the medullary collecting duct in the outer stripe (MCDOS) and the inner stripe (MCDIS), and the papillary collecting duct (PCD) was carried out in a rat model in which plasma levels of Aldo were clamped at basal or physiologically elevated levels and high K could be induced without concomitant hyperaldosteronism. Elevated levels of Aldo increased cell area (Ac) and basolateral membrane surface (BLM) from control values in the ICT, CCT, and MCDOS but not in the MCDIS or PCD. High K with normal physiological levels of Aldo increased BLM in the ICT and CCT without a concomitant change in AC. No response was seen in MCDOS, MCDIS, or PCD. It is concluded that Aldo can modulate principal cell structure in the collecting duct system in segments extending from the ICT through the MCDOS in the rat and that high K independent of Aldo can influence collecting duct structure only in the ICT and CCT.