Na+-independent dehydro-L-ascorbic acid uptake in renal brush-border membrane vesicles

A membrane preparation enriched in the brush-border component of the plasma membrane was isolated from rat renal superficial cortex by a divalent cation precipitation procedure. Uptake of dehydro-L-ascorbic acid, the oxidized form of L-ascorbic acid, by the brush-border membrane vesicles was studied. The uptake mechanism was found to be sodium-independent and insensitive to the trans-membrane electrical potential difference. Uptake was saturable and subject to cis-inhibition. Concentrative uptake was demonstrated only under conditions of trans-stimulation by structural analogs. The results suggest a mechanism of facilitated diffusion for the uptake of dehydro-L-ascorbic acid in renal brush-border membranes.