Renal tubular transport in phosphate depletion: a micropuncture study

The acute effects of intravenous infusions of phosphate and parathyroid hormone (PTH) upon the renal tubular handling of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate were examined in phosphate-depleted dogs using recollection micropuncture techniques. Hypercalciuria in phosphate depletion results from an impairment of calcium reabsorption between proximal and distal sampling sites, which can be partially corrected by the acute administration of PTH or by phosphate infusion. Magnesium reabsorption was normal in phosphate-depleted dogs but increased in parallel with calcium in the distal tubule following PTH and phosphate infusion. Phosphate was avidly reabsorbed in the phosphate-depleted dog so that excretion was very low even during the infusion of PTH or of neutral phosphate. Only with the infusion of both PTH and phosphate was a normal phosphaturic response observed.