Effect of acute potassium infusion on loop segment chloride reabsorption in the rat

To assess the effect of acute potassium loading on proximal tubule and loop chloride handling, chloride transport was examined in superficial cortical nephrons in control rats and after infusion with either 0.3 M KNO3 (KVE) or 0.3 M NaNO3 (NaVE) using micropuncture techniques. Infusion with either salt increased plasma volume, single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR), and delivery of fluid and chloride out of the proximal tubule. Plasma volume, tubule fluid-to-plasma inulin ratio, proximal transepithelial chloride ratio, and absolute and fractional proximal chloride delivery, however, were not different in the NaVE and KVE groups. Early distal tubule fluid flow rate, SNGFR, and fluid reabsorption were greater than control values following either infusion but these were not different between KVE and NaVE. Early distal tubule chloride concentration and transepithelial chloride gradient were greater and fractional chloride reabsorption was less in KVE than in either control or NaVE groups. Calculated fractional loop segment chloride reabsorption was less in KVE animals. These data suggest that potassium loading reduces fractional chloride reabsorption in the loop segment of rat superficial cortical nephrons.