Determination of chloride and bicarbonate permeabilities in proximal convoluted tubules

In late proximal tubules volume reabsorption linked to passive ion flows relies on the existence of differing permeability coefficients to Cl- and HCO3(-) (PCl greater than PHCO3). We measured these permeability coefficients in late segments of rabbit superficial (SFPCT) and juxtamedullary (JMPCT) proximal convoluted tubules perfused in vitro. PHCO3 and P36Cl were determined in tubules bathed in rabbit serum and perfused with a serum ultrafiltrated titrated with H2SO4 to [HCO3(-)] of 4 mM. Active transport, transepithelial voltage, and HCO3(-) reabsorption were inhibited by cooling (21 degrees C) and 10(-4) M acetazolamide. P36Cl and PHCO3 were calculated from 36Cl disappearance from and total CO2 addition to the perfusate. P36Cl in SFPCT was twice that in JMPCT but PHCO3 was the same in both segments. P36Cl exceeded PHCO3 only in SFPCT. To exclude exchange diffusion from contributing to P36Cl, additional tubules were perfused with ultrafiltrate titrated with HCl.P36Cl and simultaneously measured PCl (lumen-to-bath net chemical Cl- flux) were identical. We conclude: 1) SFPCT and JMPCT are heterogeneous with respect to Cl- permeability; 2) relative Cl--to-HCO3(-) permeabilities predict that anion gradients present in late portions of proximal tubules would support more volume reabsorption linked to passive ion flows in SF than in JMPCT; 3) no significant Cl- exchange diffusion exists in proximal tubules.