Long-term regulation of inner medullary collecting duct urea transport in rat

Facilitated urea transport is regulated acutely by arginine vasopressin (AVP) and hyperosmolality in rat terminal inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD). This study tested whether chronic diuresis or antidiuresis regulates facilitated urea transport. Basal and AVP-stimulated urea permeabilities (Purea) were measured in perfused IMCD subsegments. Rats were made: (1) diuretic by giving them sugar water (with or without food) or furosemide; or (2) antidiuretic by water deprivation. They were then compared with untreated rats given food and water ad libitum. Terminal IMCD from untreated rats had a high basal Purea that was significantly increased by AVP. Diuresis significantly increased basal Purea in terminal IMCD in all five diuresis protocols. Water deprivation for 1 or 3 d had no effect on basal or AVP-stimulated Purea in the IMCD2 subsegment of the terminal IMCD. In contrast, 3 d of water deprivation significantly increased both basal and AVP-stimulated Purea in the IMCD3 subsegment; 1 d of water deprivation had no effect on basal or AVP-stimulated Purea. Next, initial IMCD (IMCD1) were studied. Initial IMCD from untreated rats had a low basal Purea that was not increased by AVP (10 nM). Water diuresis (with or without food) for 3 to 5 d had no effect on basal Purea but significantly increased AVP-stimulated Purea. Furosemide diuresis and water diuresis for 1 or 7 d had no effect on either basal or AVP-stimulated Purea in initial IMCD. Water deprivation for 2 to 3 d, but not for 1 d, significantly increased basal Purea in initial IMCD, whereas water deprivation for 1 d increased AVP-stimulated Purea. It is concluded that chronic changes in hydration cause heterogeneous changes in facilitated urea transport in rat IMCD subsegments.