Simultaneous recording of tissue ion content and blood flow in rat renal medulla: evidence on interdependence

The relationship of renal medullary tissue ion concentration and medullary blood flow (MBF) has never been closely evaluated because of limitations of available measuring methods. In an attempt to overcome this difficulty, an integrated probe was developed for simultaneous recording in rat renal medulla of tissue electrical admittance (Y), an index of interstitial ion concentration, and tissue perfusion with blood (laser-Doppler method). During spontaneous-selective MBF variations tissue Y showed inverse changes (r = -0.77, P < 0.001). The inverse correlation of the two variables was also seen after MBF has been reduced (-43%) by indomethacin, 5 mg/kg body wt iv (r = -0.77, P < 0.01). A modest selective MBF reduction (15%) induced by glibenclamide, an inhibitor of ATP-dependent K channels, did not alter medullary tissue admittance. The data support experimentally the concept that the rate of medullary tissue perfusion with blood is one determinant of interstitial solute concentration; however, changes in the latter were demonstrable only with major alterations of the MBF.