Coupling of aerobic metabolism to active ion transport in the kidney

1. The redox state of mitochondrial NAD was monitored fluorometrically as a function of active ion transport work in the isolated doubly perfused bullfrog kidney. 2. Initial experiments to measure the O2 consumption (QO2) of small pieces from the bullfrog kidney gave a basal QO2 - 3.0 (+/- 0.43) nmoles O2/mg dry wt. min. Addition of 50 microM-ouabain inhibited QO2 by 72.7%. Subsequent addition of the mitochondrial uncoupler 1799 stimulated QO2 by 226%, while cyanide totally inhibited respiration. 3. Ion transport functional parameters and NADH fluorescence were simultaneously monitored during systematic reductions in perfusate PO2 to test the sufficiency of O2 delivery to the isolated perfused frog kidney. No significant changes in transport functions or fluorescence were observed until the PO2 dropped to 184 mm Hg or below. O2 tensions of 184 mm Hg or below caused decreases in G.F.R. and transport functions which were accompanied by an increase in NADH fluorescence. The lack of changes in kidney function in the PO2 range 550-340 mmHg suggested that the tissue is adequately oxygenated at the normal perfusate PO2 of 550 mmHg. 4. The relationship between active transport rate and NAD redox levels was studied by increasing transport work (via increased G.F.R. or ADH) or by decreasing transport work (via decreased G.F.R. or ouabain) while simultaneously monitoring the NAD redox state of the intact tissue fluorometrically. In all cases, an increase in work caused a net oxidation of NAD while a decrease in work caused a reduction of NAD. 5. It is concluded that the NADH fluorescence responses are indicative of mitochondrial active to passive transitions in response to changes in active transport work. The aerobic production of ATP and the normally functioning Na-K-ATPase appear to be essential to maintain active transport and to elicit the appropriate state transitions. Thus, ATP (and, possibly, ADP and Pi) may be part of the coupling mechanism linking active ion transport and aerobic metabolic rate in the kidney.