Urea synthesis and CO2/HCO3- compartmentation in isolated perfused rat liver

With physiological portal HCO3- and CO2 concentrations of 25mM and 1.2mM in the perfusate, respectively, acetazolamide inhibited urea synthesis from NH4Cl in isolated perfused rat liver by 50-60%, whereas urea synthesis from glutamine was inhibited by only 10-15%. A decreased sensitivity of urea synthesis from glutamine to acetazolamide inhibition was also observed when the extracellular HCO3- and CO2 concentrations were varied from 0-50mM and 0-2.4mM, respectively. Stimulation of intramitochondrial CO2 formation at pyruvate dehydrogenase with high pyruvate concentrations (7mM) was without effect on the acetazolamide sensitivity of urea synthesis from NH4Cl. Urea synthesis was studied under conditions of a limiting HCO3- supply for carbamoyl-phosphate synthesis. In the absence of externally added HCO3- or CO2, when 14CO2 was provided intracellularly by [U-14C]glutamine or [1-14C]-glutamine oxidation, acetazolamide had almost no effect on label incorporation into urea, whereas label incorporation from an added tracer H14CO3- dose was inhibited by about 70%. 14CO2 production from [U-14C]glutamine was about twice as high as from [1-14C]glutamine, indicating that about 50% of the CO2 produced from glutamine is formed at 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase. The fractional incorporation of 14CO2 into urea was about 13% with [1-14C]-as well as with [U-14C]glutamine. Addition of small concentrations of HCO3- (1.2mM) to the perfusate increased urea synthesis from glutamine by about 70%. This stimulation of urea synthesis was fully abolished by acetazolamide. The carbonate-dehydratase inhibitor prevented the incorporation of added HCO3- into urea, whereas incorporation of CO2 derived from glutamine degradation was unaffected. Without HCO3- and CO2 in the perfusion medium, when 14CO2 was provided by [1-14C]-pyruvate oxidation, acetazolamide inhibited urea synthesis from NH4Cl as well as 14C incorporation into urea by about 50%. Therefore carbonate-dehydratase activity is required for the utilization of extracellular CO2 or pyruvate-dehydrogenase-derived CO2 for urea synthesis, but not for CO2 derived from glutamine oxidation. This is further evidence for a special role of glutamine as substrate for urea synthesis.     

Regulation of cytoplasmic pH in rat sublingual mucous acini at rest and during muscarinic stimulation

The regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) in rat sublingual mucous acini was monitored using dual-wavelength microfluorometry of the pH-sensitive dye BCECF (2',7'-biscarboxyethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein). Acini attached to coverslips and continuously superfused with HCO3(-)-containing medium (25 mM NaHCO3/5% CO2; pH 7.4) have a steady-state pHi of 7.25 +/- 0.02. Acid loading of acinar cells using the NH4+/NH3 prepulse technique resulted in a Na(+)-dependent, MIBA-inhibitable (5-(N-methyl-N-isobutyl) amiloride, Ki approximately 0.42 microM) pHi recovery, the kinetics of which were not influenced by the absence of extracellular Cl-. The rate and magnitude of the pHi recovery were dependent on the extracellular Na+ concentration, indicating that Na+/H+ exchange plays a critical role in maintaining pHi above the pH predicted for electrochemical equilibrium. When the NH4+/NH3 concentration was varied, the rate of pHi recovery was enhanced as the extent of the intracellular acidification increased, demonstrating that the activity of the Na+/H+ exchanger is regulated by the concentration of intracellular protons. Switching BCECF-loaded acini to a Cl(-)-free medium did not significantly alter resting pHi, suggesting the absence of Cl-/HCO3- exchange activity. Muscarinic stimulation resulted in a rapid and sustained cytosolic acidification (t 1/2 < 30 sec; 0.16 +/- 0.02 pH unit), the magnitude of which was amplified greater than two-fold in the presence of MIBA (0.37 +/- 0.05 pH unit) or in the absence of extracellular Na+ (0.34 +/- 0.03 pH unit). The agonist-induced intracellular acidification was blunted in HCO3(-)-free media and was inhibited by DPC (diphenylamine-2-carboxylate), an anion channel blocker. In contrast, the acidification was not influenced by removal of extracellular Cl-. The Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin, mimicked the effects of stimulation, whereas preloading acini with BAPTA (bis-(o-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetra-acetic acid) to chelate intracellular Ca2+ blocked the agonist-induced cytoplasmic acidification. The above results indicate that during muscarinic stimulation an intracellular acidification occurs which: (i) is partially buffered by increased Na+/H+ exchange activity; (ii) is most likely mediated by HCO3- efflux via an anion channel; and (iii) requires an increase in cytosolic free [Ca2+].     

Hepatic urea synthesis and pH regulation. Role of CO2, HCO3-, pH and the activity of carbonic anhydrase

In isolated perfused rat liver, urea synthesis from ammonium ions was dependent on extracellular HCO3- and CO2 concentrations when the HCO3-/CO2 ratio in the influent perfusate was constant (pH 7.4). Urea synthesis was half-maximal at HCO3- = 4 mM, CO2 = 0.19 mM and was maximal at HCO3- and CO2 concentrations above 20 mM and 0.96 mM, respectively. At physiological HCO3- (25 mM) and CO2 (1.2 mM) concentrations in the influent perfusate, acetazolamide, the inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase, inhibited urea synthesis from ammonium ions (1 mM) by 50-60% and led to a 70% decrease in citrulline tissue levels. Acetazolamide concentrations required for maximal inhibition of urea synthesis were 0.01-0.1 mM. At subphysiological HCO3- and CO2 concentrations, inhibition of urea synthesis by acetazolamide was increased up to 90%. Inhibition of urea synthesis by acetazolamide was fully overcome in the presence of unphysiologically high HCO3- and CO2 concentrations, indicating that the inhibitory effect of acetazolamide is due to an inhibition of carbonic-anhydrase-catalyzed HCO3- supply for carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase, which can be bypassed when the uncatalyzed intramitochondrial HCO3- formation from portal CO2 is stimulated in the presence of high portal CO2 concentrations. With respect to HCO3- supply of mitochondrial carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase, urea synthesis can be separated into a carbonic-anhydrase-dependent (sensitive to acetazolamide at 0.5 mM) and a carbonic-anhydrase-independent (insensitive to acetazolamide) portion. Carbonic-anhydrase-independent urea synthesis linearly increased with the portal 'total CO2 addition' (which was experimentally determined to be CO2 addition plus 0.036 HCO3- addition) and was independent of the perfusate pH. At a constant 'total CO2 addition', carbonic-anhydrase-dependent urea synthesis was strongly affected by perfusate pH and increased about threefold when the perfusate pH was raised from 6.9 to 7.8. It is concluded that the pH dependent regulation of urea synthesis is predominantly due to mitochondrial carbonic anhydrase-catalyzed HCO3- supply for carbamoyl phosphate synthesis, whereas there is no control of urea synthesis by pH at the level of the five enzymes of the urea cycle. Because HCO3- provision for carbamoyl phosphate synthetase increases with increasing portal CO2 concentrations even in the absence of carbonic anhydrase activity, susceptibility of ureogenesis to pH decreases with increasing portal CO2 concentrations. This may explain the different response of urea synthesis to chronic metabolic and chronic respiratory acidosis in vivo.     

Intracellular pH regulation in colonocytes of rat proximal colon

The regulation of intracellular pH (pH(i)) in colonocytes of the rat proximal colon has been investigated using the pH-sensitive dye BCECF and compared with the regulation of pH(i) in the colonocytes of the distal colon. The proximal colonocytes in a HEPES-buffered solution had pH(i)=7.24+/-0.04 and removal of extracellular Na(+) lowered pH(i) by 0.24 pH units. Acid-loaded colonocytes by an NH(3)/NH(4)(+) prepulse exhibited a spontaneous recovery that was partially Na(+)-dependent and could be inhibited by ethylisopropylamiloride (EIPA). The Na(+)-dependent recovery rate was enhanced by increasing the extracellular Na(+) concentration and was further stimulated by aldosterone. In an Na(+)- and K(+)-free HEPES-buffered solution, the recovery rate from the acid load was significantly stimulated by addition of K(+) and this K(+)-dependent recovery was partially blocked by ouabain. The intrinsic buffer capacity of proximal colonocytes at physiological pH(i) exhibited a nearly 2-fold higher value than in distal colonocytes. Butyrate induced immediate colonocyte acidification that was smaller in proximal than in distal colonocytes. This acidification was followed by a recovery phase that was both EIPA-sensitive and -insensitive and was similar in both groups of colonocytes. In a HCO(3)(-)/CO(2)-containing solution, pH(i) of the proximal colonocytes was 7.20+/-0.04. Removal of external Cl(-) caused alkalinization that was inhibited by DIDS. The recovery from an alkaline load induced by removal of HCO(3)(-)/CO(2) from the medium was Cl(-)-dependent, Na(+)-independent and blocked by DIDS. Recovery from an acid load in EIPA-containing Na(+)-free HCO(3)(-)/CO(2)-containing solution was accelerated by addition of Na(+). Removal of Cl(-) inhibited the effect of Na(+). In summary, the freshly isolated proximal colonocytes of rats express Na(+)/H(+) exchanger, H(+)/K(+) exchanger ((H(+)-K(+))-ATPase) and Na(+)-dependent Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger that contribute to acid extrusion and Na(+)-independent Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger contributing to alkali extrusion. All of these are likely involved in the regulation of pH(i) in vivo. Proximal colonocytes are able to maintain a more stable pH(i) than distal cells, which seems to be facilitated by their higher intrinsic buffer capacity.     

Intracellular pH regulation in cultured embryonic chick heart cells. Na(+)-dependent Cl-/HCO3- exchange

The contribution of Cl-/HCO3- exchange to intracellular pH (pHi) regulation in cultured chick heart cells was evaluated using ion-selective microelectrodes to monitor pHi, Na+ (aiNa), and Cl- (aiCl) activity. In (HCO3- + CO2)-buffered solution steady-state pHi was 7.12. Removing (HCO3- + CO2) buffer caused a SITS (0.1 mM)-sensitive alkalinization and countergradient increase in aiCl along with a transient DIDS-sensitive countergradient decrease in aiNa. SITS had no effect on the rate of pHi recovery from alkalinization. When (HCO3- + CO2) was reintroduced the cells rapidly acidified, aiNa increased, aiCl decreased, and pHi recovered. The decrease in aiCl and the pHi recovery were SITS sensitive. Cells exposed to 10 mM NH4Cl became transiently alkaline concomitant with an increase in aiCl and a decrease in aiNa. The intracellular acidification induced by NH4Cl removal was accompanied by a decrease in aiCl and an increase in aiNa that led to the recovery of pHi. In the presence of (HCO3- + CO2), addition of either amiloride (1 mM) or DIDS (1 mM) partially reduced pHi recovery, whereas application of amiloride plus DIDS completely inhibited the pHi recovery and the decrease in aiCl. Therefore, after an acid load pHi recovery is HCO3o- and Nao- dependent and DIDS sensitive (but not Ca2+o dependent). Furthermore, SITS inhibition of Na(+)-dependent Cl-/HCO3- exchange caused an increase in aiCl and a decrease in the 36Cl efflux rate constant and pHi. In (HCO3- + CO2)-free solution, amiloride completely blocked the pHi recovery from acidification that was induced by removal of NH4Cl. Thus, both Na+/H+ and Na(+)-dependent Cl-/HCO3- exchange are involved in pHi regulation from acidification. When the cells became alkaline upon removal of (HCO3- + CO2), a SITS-sensitive increase in pHi and aiCl was accompanied by a decrease of aiNa, suggesting that the HCO3- efflux, which can attenuate initial alkalinization, is via a Na(+)-dependent Cl-/HCO3- exchange. However, the mechanism involved in pHi regulation from alkalinization is yet to be established. In conclusion, in cultured chick heart cells the Na(+)-dependent Cl-/HCO3- exchange regulates pHi response to acidification and is involved in the steady-state maintenance of pHi.     

Control of hepatic nitrogen metabolism and glutathione release by cell volume regulatory mechanisms

1. Urea synthesis was studied in isolated perfused rat liver during cell volume regulatory ion fluxes following exposure of the liver to anisotonic perfusion media. Lowering of the osmolarity in influent perfusate from 305 mOsm/l to 225 mOsm/l (by decreasing influent [NaCl] by 40 mmol/l) led to an inhibition of urea synthesis from NH4Cl (0.5 mmol/l) by about 60% and a decrease of hepatic oxygen uptake by 0.43 +/- 0.03 mumol g-1 min-1 [from 3.09 +/- 0.13 mumol g-1 min-1 to 2.66 +/- 0.12 mumol g-1 min-1 (n = 9)]. The effects on urea synthesis and oxygen uptake were observed throughout hypotonic exposure (225 mOsm/l). They persisted although volume regulatory K+ efflux from the liver was complete within 8 min and were fully reversible upon reexposure to normotonic perfusion media (305 mOsm/l). A 42% inhibition of urea synthesis from NH4Cl (0.5 mmol/l) during hypotonicity was also observed when the perfusion medium was supplemented with glucose (5 mmol/l). Urea synthesis was inhibited by only 10-20% in livers from fed rats, and was even stimulated in those from starved rats when an amino acid mixture (twice the physiological concentration) plus NH4Cl (0.2 mmol/l) was infused. 2. The inhibition of urea synthesis from NH4Cl (0.5 mmol/l) during hypotonicity was accompanied by a threefold increase of citrulline tissue levels, a 50-70% decrease of the tissue contents of glutamate, aspartate, citrate and malate, whereas 2-oxoglutarate, ATP and ornithine tissue levels, and the [3H]inulin extracellular space remained almost unaltered. Further, hypotonic exposure stimulated hepatic glutathione (GSH) release with a time course roughly paralleling volume regulatory K+ efflux. NH4Cl stimulated lactate release from the liver during hypotonic but not during normotonic perfusion. In the absence of NH4Cl, hypotonicity did not significantly affect the lactate/pyruvate ratio in effluent perfusate. With NH4Cl (0.5 mmol/l) present, the lactate/pyruvate ratio increased from 4.3 to 8.2 in hypotonicity, whereas simultaneously the 3-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate ratio slightly, but significantly decreased. 3. Addition of lactate (2.1 mmol/l) and pyruvate (0.3 mmol/l) to influent perfusate did not affect urea synthesis in normotonic perfusions, but completely prevented the inhibition of urea synthesis from NH4Cl (0.5 mmol/l) induced by hypotonicity. Restoration of urea production in hypotonic perfusions by addition of lactate and pyruvate was largely abolished in the presence of 2-cyanocinnamate (0.5 mmol/l). Addition of 3-hydroxybutyrate (0.5 mmol/l), but not of acetoacetate (0.5 mmol/l) largely reversed the hypotonicity-induced inhibition of urea synthesis from NH4Cl.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Contribution of anion transporters to the acidosis-induced swelling and intracellular acidification of glial cells

This study examines the contribution of anion transporters to the swelling and intracellular acidification of glial cells from an extracellular lactacidosis, a condition well-known to accompany cerebral ischemia and traumatic brain injury. Suspended C6 glioma cells were exposed to lactacidosis in physiological or anion-depleted media, and different anion transport inhibitors were applied. Changes in cell volume and intracellular pH (pH(i)) were simultaneously quantified by flow cytometry. Extracellular lactacidosis (pH 6.2) led to an increase in cell volume to 125.1 +/- 2.5% of baseline within 60 min, whereas the pH(i) dropped from the physiological value of 7.13 +/- 0.05 to 6.32 +/- 0.03. Suspension in Cl(-)-free or HCO(3)(-)/CO(2)-free media or application of anion transport inhibitors [0.1 mM bumetanide or 0.5 mM 4, 4'-diisothio-cyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS)] did not affect cell volume during baseline conditions but significantly reduced cell swelling from lactacidosis. In addition, the Cl(-)-free or HCO(3)(-)/CO(2)-free media and DIDS attenuated intracellular acidosis on extracellular acidification. From these findings it is concluded that besides the known activation of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger, activation of the Na(+)-independent Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger and the Na(+)-K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter contributes to acidosis-induced glial swelling and the intracellular acidification. Inhibition of these processes may be of interest for future strategies in the treatment of cytotoxic brain edema from cerebral ischemia or traumatic brain injury.     

HCO3(-) secretion by murine nasal submucosal gland serous acinar cells during Ca2+-stimulated fluid secretion

Airway submucosal glands contribute to airway surface liquid (ASL) composition and volume, both important for lung mucociliary clearance. Serous acini generate most of the fluid secreted by glands, but the molecular mechanisms remain poorly characterized. We previously described cholinergic-regulated fluid secretion driven by Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) secretion in primary murine serous acinar cells revealed by simultaneous differential interference contrast (DIC) and fluorescence microscopy. Here, we evaluated whether Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) secretion was accompanied by secretion of HCO(3)(-), possibly a critical ASL component, by simultaneous measurements of intracellular pH (pH(i)) and cell volume. Resting pH(i) was 7.17 +/- 0.01 in physiological medium (5% CO(2)-25 mM HCO(3)(-)). During carbachol (CCh) stimulation, pH(i) fell transiently by 0.08 +/- 0.01 U concomitantly with a fall in Cl(-) content revealed by cell shrinkage, reflecting Cl(-) secretion. A subsequent alkalinization elevated pH(i) to above resting levels until agonist removal, whereupon it returned to prestimulation values. In nominally CO(2)-HCO(3)(-)-free media, the CCh-induced acidification was reduced, whereas the alkalinization remained intact. Elimination of driving forces for conductive HCO(3)(-) efflux by ion substitution or exposure to the Cl(-) channel inhibitor niflumic acid (100 microM) strongly inhibited agonist-induced acidification by >80% and >70%, respectively. The Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) inhibitor dimethylamiloride (DMA) increased the magnitude (greater than twofold) and duration of the CCh-induced acidification. Gene expression profiling suggested that serous cells express NHE isoforms 1-4 and 6-9, but pharmacological sensitivities demonstrated that alkalinization observed during both CCh stimulation and pH(i) recovery from agonist-induced acidification was primarily due to NHE1, localized to the basolateral membrane. These results suggest that serous acinar cells secrete HCO(3)(-) during Ca(2+)-evoked fluid secretion by a mechanism that involves the apical membrane secretory Cl(-) channel, with HCO(3)(-) secretion sustained by activation of NHE1 in the basolateral membrane. In addition, other Na(+)-dependent pH(i) regulatory mechanisms exist, as evidenced by stronger inhibition of alkalinization in Na(+)-free media.     

Inhibition of CA V decreases glucose synthesis from pyruvate

The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide reduces citrulline synthesis by intact guinea pig liver mitochondria and also inhibits mitochondrial carbonic anhydrase (CA V) and the more lipophilic carbonic anhydrase inhibitor ethoxzolamide reduces urea synthesis by intact guinea pig hepatocytes in parallel with its inhibition of total hepatocytic carbonic anhydrase activity. Intact hepatocytes from 48-h starved male guinea pig livers were incubated at 37 degrees C in Krebs-Henseleit with 95% O2/5% CO2 at pH 7.1 with 5 mM pyruvate, 5 mM lactate, 3 mM ornithine, 10 mM NH4Cl, 1 mM oleate; with these inclusions both urea and glucose synthesis start with HCO3- -requiring enzymes, carbamyl phosphate synthetase I and pyruvate carboxylase, respectively. Urea and glucose synthesis were inhibited in parallel by increasing concentrations of ethoxzolamide, estimated Ki for each approximately 0.1 mM. In other experiments hepatocytes were incubated at 37 degrees C in Krebs-Henseleit with 95% O2/5% CO2 at pH 7.1 with 10 mM glutamine, 1 mM oleate; with these inclusions glucose synthesis no longer starts with a HCO3- -requiring enzyme. Urea synthesis was inhibited by ethoxzolamide with an estimated Ki of 0.1 mM, but glucose synthesis was unaffected. Intact mitochondria were prepared from 48-h starved male guinea pig livers. Pyruvate carboxylase activity of intact mitochondria was determined in isotonic KCl-Hepes buffer, pH 7.4, 25 degrees C, with 7.5 mM pyruvate, 3 mM ATP, and 10 mM NaHCO3. Inclusion of ethoxzolamide resulted in reduction in the rate of pyruvate carboxylation in intact mitochondria, but not in disrupted mitochondria. It is concluded that carbonic anhydrase is functionally important for gluconeogenesis in the male guinea pig liver when there is a requirement for bicarbonate as substrate.     

Regulation of intracellular pH in LLC-PK1 cells studied using 31P-NMR spectroscopy

31P-NMR spectroscopy was used to monitor intracellular pH (pHi) in a suspension of LLC-PK1 cells, a renal epithelial cell line. The regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) was studied during intracellular acidification with 20% CO2 or intracellular alkalinization with 30 mM NH4Cl. The steady-state pHi in bicarbonate-containing Ringer's solution (pHo 7.40) was 7.14 +/- 0.04 and in bicarbonate-free Ringer's solution (pHo 7.40) 7.24 +/- 0.04. When pHo was altered in nominally HCO3(-)-free Ringer's, the intracellular pHi changed to only a small extent between pHo 6.6 and pHo 7.6; beyond this range pHi was linearly related to pHo. Below pHo 6.6 the cell was capable of maintaining a delta pH of 0.2 pH unit (inside more alkaline), above pH 7.6 a delta pH of 0.4 unit could be generated (inside more acid). During exposure to 20% CO2 in HCO3(-)-free Ringer's solution, pHi dropped initially to 6.9 +/- 0.05, the rate of realkalinisation was found to be 0.071 pH unit X min-1. After removal of CO2 the pHi increased by 0.65 and the rate of reacidification was 0.056 pH unit X min-1. Exposure to 30 mM NH4Cl caused a raise of pHi by 0.48 pH unit and an initial rate of re-acidification of 0.063 pH unit X min-1, after removal of NH4Cl the pHi fell by 0.58 pH unit below the steady-state pHi, followed by a subsequent re-alkalinization of 0.083 pH unit X min-1. Under both experimental conditions, the pHi recovery after an intracellular acidification, introduced by exposure to 20% CO2 and by removal of NH4+, was found to be inhibited by 53% and 63%, respectively, in the absence of sodium and 60% and 72%, respectively, by 1 mM amiloride. These studies indicate that 31P-NMR can be used to monitor steady-state intracellular pH as well a pHi transients in suspensions of epithelial cells. The results support the view that LLC-PK1 cells use an Na+-H+ exchange system to readjust their internal pH after acid loading of the cell.     

Bicarbonate- and calcium-dependent induction of rapid guinea pig sperm acrosome reactions by monovalent ionophores

The monovalent cationic ionophores monensin and nigericin stimulated rapid guinea pig sperm acrosome reactions in the presence of extracellular Na+, Ca2+ and bicarbonate (HCO3-/CO2). Extracellular K+ (mM concentrations), in contrast, was not required for the stimulatory effect of the ionophores. The effect of HCO3-/CO2 is concentration, pH and temperature dependent, with maximal responses obtained with 50 microM monensin or 25 microM nigericin at a concentration of 30 mM HCO3-, 2.5% CO2 and pH 7.8 at 25 degrees C. At a constant HCO3- concentration (30 mM), monensin stimulated acrosome reactions within the pH range 7.5-7.8, whereas a higher or lower pH did not support acrosome reactions at 25 degrees C. At constant extracellular pH (7.8), monensin stimulated acrosome reactions in the presence of 30 mM HCO3-, whereas higher and lower concentrations did not support acrosome reactions at 25 degrees C. The permeant anions pyruvate and lactate were essential to maintain sperm motility when treated with monensin under these conditions. NH4Cl, sodium acetate and 4,41-diisothiocyano-2, 21-disulfonic acid stibene (DIDS; 25 microM), an anion transport inhibitor, blocked the ability of monensin to stimulate acrosome reactions. Verapamil (100 microM), a putative Ca2+ transport antagonist, in contrast, did not prevent the monensin-induced acrosome reactions. Physiological concentrations of Na+ were needed for monensin to stimulate acrosome reactions, but high concentrations of Mg2+ prevented the monensin stimulation. The Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (75 nM) also required physiological concentrations of Na+ for the rapid induction of maximal acrosome reactions at an elevated pH (8.3) but did not require the presence of extracellular HCO3-. These studies suggest that a monovalent ionophore-induced rise in sperm intracellular Na+ concentrations is a pre-Ca2+ entry event, that stimulates an endogenous Ca2+/Na+ exchange that allows a Ca2+ influx which in turn induces the acrosome reaction. The possible regulatory role of the sperm intracellular pH and Na+, K+-ATPase during the capacitation process under physiological conditions is discussed.     

Basolateral membrane Na/base cotransport is dependent on CO2/HCO3 in the proximal convoluted tubule

The mechanism of basolateral membrane base transport was examined in the in vitro microperfused rabbit proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) in the absence and presence of ambient CO2/HCO3- by means of the microfluorometric measurement of cell pH. The buffer capacity of the cells measured using rapid NH3 washout was 42.8 +/- 5.6 mmol.liter-1.pH unit-1 in the absence and 84.6 +/- 7.3 mmol.liter-1.pH unit-1 in the presence of CO2/HCO3-. In the presence of CO2/HCO3-, lowering peritubular pH from 7.4 to 6.8 acidified the cell by 0.30 pH units and lowering peritubular Na from 147 to 0 mM acidified the cell by 0.25 pH units. Both effects were inhibited by peritubular 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (SITS). In the absence of exogenous CO2/HCO3-, lowering peritubular pH from 7.4 to 6.8 acidified the cell by 0.25 pH units and lowering peritubular Na from 147 to 0 mM decreased cell pH by 0.20 pH units. Lowering bath pH from 7.4 to 6.8 induced a proton flux of 643 +/- 51 pmol.mm-1.min-1 in the presence of exogenous CO2/HCO3- and 223 +/- 27 pmol.mm-1.min-1 in its absence. Lowering bath Na from 147 to 0 mM induced proton fluxes of 596 +/- 77 pmol.mm-1.min-1 in its absence. The cell acidification induced by lowering bath pH or bath Na in the absence of CO2/HCO3- was inhibited by peritubular SITS or by acetazolamide, whereas peritubular amiloride had no effect. In the absence of exogenous CO2/HCO3-, cyanide blocked the cell acidification induced by bath Na removal, but was without effect in the presence of exogenous CO2/HCO3-. We reached the following conclusions. (a) The basolateral Na/base n greater than 1 cotransporter in the rabbit PCT has an absolute requirement for CO2/HCO3-. (b) In spite of this CO2 dependence, in the absence of exogenous CO2/HCO3-, metabolically produced CO2/HCO3- is sufficient to keep the transporter running at 30% of its control rate in the presence of ambient CO2/HCO3-. (c) There is no apparent amiloride-sensitive Na/H antiporter on the basolateral membrane of the rabbit PCT.     

Inhibition of mitochondrial carbonic anhydrase and ureagenesis: a discrepancy examined

The amount of urea synthesized in intact guinea pig hepatocytes in 60 min ([urea]t=60), was determined at 37 degrees C in Krebs-Henseleit buffer plus (in mM) 10 NH4Cl, 5 lactate, and 10 ornithine in 5% CO2-95% O2. The concentrations of sulfonamide carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitors required to reduce the rate of urea synthesis by 50% (I50) were (in mM): 0.07 ethoxzolamide, 0.5 methazolamide, 0.7 acetazolamide, and 5.0 p-aminomethylbenzenesulfonamide. At 37 degrees C acetazolamide and ethoxzolamide reduced citrulline synthesis by intact mitochondria in medium containing (in mM) 50 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid, 35 KCl, 5 KH2PO4, 2 adenosine triphosphate, 10 ornithine, 10 NH4Cl, 1 [ethylene-bis(oxyethylenenitrile)]tetraacetic acid, 1 MgCl2, 20 pyruvate, and 25 KHCO3 (pH 7.4) in 5% CO2-95% O2; the inhibition by ethoxzolamide was not decreased greater than 50%; 25% inhibition was achieved by 0.65 microM ethoxzolamide. Inhibition constant (Ki) values for CA activity of disrupted mitochondria at 37 degrees C were 0.03 microM ethoxzolamide and 0.16 microM acetazolamide, and for disrupted hepatocytes were 150 microM ethoxzolamide and 50 microM acetazolamide. p-Aminomethylaminosulfonamide-affinity column purification yields one band of 29,000 mol wt for CA V purified from disrupted mitochondria; homogenized whole-liver supernatant yields an additional band of 20,000 mol wt (at greater than 100 times the concentration of CA V), which has some glutathione S-transferase activity. It is concluded that this 20,000-mol wt protein modifies the potency of ethoxzolamide in the liver cytosol.     

Mechanism of mitochondrial carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase: synthesis and properties of active CO2, precursor of carbamoyl phosphate.

This paper demonstrates the formation of "active CO2" (CO2-P), a precursor of carbamoyl phosphate (CP), with frog liver carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase. Absence of ammonia is essential for the demonstration by pulse incubation with H14CO3- of CO2-P. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and acetylglutamate are required for the synthesis of CO2-P, which is highly unstable in aqueous solutions (t1/2 = 0.75 s at 24 degrees C at neutral pH). In the absence of ammonia, CO2-P attains rapidly a steady-state level, which depends on the concentration of ATP and HCO3-. The "apparent KM'S" are approximately equal to those found for the adenosine triphosphate (ATPase) activity of the enzyme. The maximum level of CO2-P is limited by the amount of enzyme, and approximates 4 mol of intermediate/mol of enzyme. The unprotonated form of ammonia seems to be the species reacting with CO2-P to produce CP. The reaction of CO2-P and NH3 is very fast (rate constant kn = 8 x 10(4) M-1 S-1) and does not consume free ATP. Therefore, the 2 mol of ATP necessary for CP synthesis binds or reacts with the enzyme and/or CO2 prior to reaction with NH3. The reaction of CO2-P with NH3 also takes place in acetone under conditions at which the enzyme is not active, suggesting little or no assistance from enzyme catalysis or that a part of the catalytic site is "frozen" by the solvent in the active conformation. In the light of these and other findings, a new scheme is proposed for the mechanism of frog liver carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase and some considerations are made on the chemical nature of the intermediate and on the possible evolutionary significance of the reaction of CO2-P with NH3 in acetone.     

Kinetic analysis of the preserved rat liver by isolated perfusion with ammonium chloride as a load

Oxygen consumption and urea synthesis from ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) were investigated in the liver preserved in University of Wisconsin solution at 4 degrees C for 24 hours using an isolated rat liver perfusion system in which the perfusate contained five different concentrations of NH4Cl. When a Michaelis-Menten equation was applied to oxygen consumption and urea synthesis against NH4Cl concentration, the preserved liver showed smaller increase in oxygen consumption rate and larger Km of urea synthesis for NH4Cl than the fresh liver. The ratio of respiration velocity without any substrate to maximal velocity (v/Vmax), which reflects the mitochondrial functional reserve, was 55.9 +/- 4.1% and 41.5 +/- 4.8% in the preserved and fresh liver, respectively (p less than 0.05). From the viewpoint of work-cost relationship, it was shown that the mitochondrial function in the preserved liver was deteriorated. On the other hand, conventional mitochondrial study after rewarming and reoxygenation but before NH4Cl load revealed no deterioration of mitochondrial function after preservation. These results indicate that it is necessary to take the metabolic load on the reperfused liver into account when assessing graft viability, and that high v/Vmax suggests decrease in the reserve of mitochondrial function under consideration of the metabolic load.     

Muscarinic activation of Na+-dependent ion transporters and modulation by bicarbonate in rat submandibular gland acinus

To investigate the interaction between the ion channels and transporters in the salivary fluid secretion, we measured the membrane voltage (V(m)) and intracellular concentrations of Ca(2+), Na(+) ([Na(+)](c)), Cl(-), and H(+) (pH(i)) in rat submandibular gland acini (RSMGA). After a transient depolarization induced by a short application of acetylcholine (ACh; 5 muM, 20 s), RSMGA showed strong delayed hyperpolarization (V(h,ACh); -95 +/- 1.8 mV) that was abolished by ouabain. In the HCO(3)(-)-free condition, the V(h,ACh) was also blocked by bumetanide, a blocker of Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC). In the presence of HCO(3)(-) (24 meq, bubbled with 5% CO(2)), however, the V(h,ACh) was not blocked by bumetanide, but it was suppressed by ethylisopropylamiloride (EIPA), a Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) inhibitor. Similarly, the ACh-induced increase in [Na(+)](c) was totally blocked by bumetanide in the absence of HCO(3)(-), but only by one-half in the presence of HCO(3)(-). ACh induced a prominent acidification of pH(i) in the presence of HCO(3)(-), and the acidification was further increased by EIPA treatment. Without HCO(3)(-), an application of ACh strongly accelerated the NKCC activity that was measured from the decay of pH(i) during the application of NH(4)(+) (20 mM). Notably, the ACh-induced activation of NKCC was largely suppressed in the presence of HCO(3)(-). In summary, the ACh-induced anion secretion in RSMGA is followed by the activation of NKCC and NHE, resulting an increase in [Na(+)](c). The intracellular Na(+)-induced activation of electrogenic Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase causes V(h,ACh). The regulation of NKCC and NHE by ACh is strongly affected by the physiological level of HCO(3)(-).     

The effects of ammonium chloride and bicarbonate on the activity of glutaminase in isolated liver mitochondria.

1. Glutamine hydrolysis in liver mitochondria was studied by measuring the production of glutamate under conditions where this compound could not be further metabolized. 2. Glutaminase activity in intact mitochondria was very low in the absence of activators. 3. Glutamine hydrolysis was markedly stimulated by NH4Cl and also by HCO3- ions. 4. The stimulation by each of these compounds was much decreased if the mitochondria were uncoupled. 5. Maximum rates of glutamine hydrolysis required the addition of phosphate. A correlation was observed between the activity of glutaminase in the presence of NH4Cl plus HCO3- and the intramitochondrial content of ATP. 6. In disrupted mitochondria, NH4Cl stimulated glutaminase to a much smaller extent than in intact mitochondria. The NH4Cl stimulation in disrupted mitochondria was much increased by the addition of ATP. KHCO3 also stimulated glutaminase activity in disrupted mitochondria, and ATP increased the magnitude of this stimulation. 7. It was concluded that maximum rates of glutaminase activity in liver mitochondria require the presence of phosphate, ATP and either HCO3- or NH4+. A comparison of the results obtained on intact and broken mitochondria indicates that these effectors have a direct effect on the glutaminase enzyme system rather than an indirect effect mediated by changes in transmembrane ion gradients or in the concentrations of intramitochondrial metabolites.     

Benzoate stimulates glutamate release from perfused rat liver.

In isolated perfused rat liver, benzoate addition to the influent perfusate led to a dose-dependent, rapid and reversible stimulation of glutamate output from the liver. This was accompanied by a decrease in glutamate and 2-oxoglutarate tissue levels and a net K+ release from the liver; withdrawal of benzoate was followed by re-uptake of K+. Benzoate-induced glutamate efflux from the liver was not dependent on the concentration (0-1 mM) of ammonia (NH3 + NH4+) in the influent perfusate, but was significantly increased after inhibition of glutamine synthetase by methionine sulphoximine or during the metabolism of added glutamine (5 mM). Maximal rates of benzoate-stimulated glutamate efflux were 0.8-0.9 mumol/min per g, and the effect of benzoate was half-maximal (K0.5) at 0.8 mM. Similar Vmax. values of glutamate efflux were obtained with 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate, ketomethionine (4-methylthio-2-oxobutyrate) and phenylpyruvate; their respective K0.5 values were 1.2 mM, 3.0 mM and 3.8 mM. Benzoate decreased hepatic net ammonia uptake and synthesis of both urea and glutamine from added NH4Cl. Accordingly, the benzoate-induced shift of detoxication from urea and glutamine synthesis to glutamate formation and release was accompanied by a decreased hepatic ammonia uptake. The data show that benzoate exerts profound effects on hepatic glutamate and ammonia metabolism, providing a new insight into benzoate action in the treatment of hyperammonaemic syndromes.     

CFTR inhibition augments NHE3 activity during luminal high CO2 exposure in rat duodenal mucosa

We hypothesized that the function of duodenocyte apical membrane acid-base transporters are essential for H(+) absorption from the lumen. We thus examined the effect of inhibition of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger-3 (NHE3), cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR), or apical anion exchangers on transmucosal CO(2) diffusion and HCO(3)(-) secretion in rat duodenum. Duodena were perfused with a pH 6.4 high CO(2) solution or pH 2.2 low CO(2) solution with the NHE3 inhibitor, S3226, the anion transport inhibitor, DIDS, or pretreatment with the potent CFTR inhibitor, CFTR(inh)-172, with simultaneous measurements of luminal and portal venous (PV) pH and carbon dioxide concentration ([CO(2)]). Luminal high CO(2) solution increased CO(2) absorption and HCO(3)(-) secretion, accompanied by PV acidification and PV Pco(2) increase. During CO(2) challenge, CFTR(inh)-172 induced HCO(3)(-) absorption, while inhibiting PV acidification. S3226 reversed CFTR(inh)-associated HCO(3)(-) absorption. Luminal pH 2.2 challenge increased H(+) and CO(2) absorption and acidified the PV, inhibited by CFTR(inh)-172 and DIDS, but not by S3226. CFTR inhibition and DIDS reversed HCO(3)(-) secretion to absorption and inhibited PV acidification during CO(2) challenge, suggesting that HCO(3)(-) secretion helps facilitate CO(2)/H(+) absorption. Furthermore, CFTR inhibition prevented CO(2)-induced cellular acidification reversed by S3226. Reversal of increased HCO(3)(-) loss by NHE3 inhibition and reduced intracellular acidification during CFTR inhibition is consistent with activation or unmasking of NHE3 activity by CFTR inhibition, increasing cell surface H(+) available to neutralize luminal HCO(3)(-) with consequent CO(2) absorption. NHE3, by secreting H(+) into the luminal microclimate, facilitates net transmucosal HCO(3)(-) absorption with a mechanism similar to proximal tubular HCO(3)(-) absorption.     

Cytosolic pH regulation in osteoblasts. Regulation of anion exchange by intracellular pH and Ca2+ ions

Measurements of cytosolic pH (pHi) 36Cl fluxes and free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were performed in the clonal osteosarcoma cell line UMR-106 to characterize the kinetic properties of Cl-/HCO3- (OH-) exchange and its regulation by pHi and [Ca2+]i. Suspending cells in Cl(-)-free medium resulted in rapid cytosolic alkalinization from pHi 7.05 to approximately 7.42. Subsequently, the cytosol acidified to pHi 7.31. Extracellular HCO3- increased the rate and extent of cytosolic alkalinization and prevented the secondary acidification. Suspending alkalinized and Cl(-)-depleted cells in Cl(-)-containing solutions resulted in cytosolic acidification. All these pHi changes were inhibited by 4',4',-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbene disulfonic acid (DIDS) and H2DIDS, and were not affected by manipulation of the membrane potential. The pattern of extracellular Cl- dependency of the exchange process suggests that Cl- ions interact with a single saturable external site and HCO3- (OH-) complete with Cl- for binding to this site. The dependencies of both net anion exchange and Cl- self-exchange fluxes on pHi did not follow simple saturation kinetics. These findings suggest that the anion exchanger is regulated by intracellular HCO3- (OH-). A rise in [Ca2+]i, whether induced by stimulation of protein kinase C-activated Ca2+ channels, Ca2+ ionophore, or depolarization of the plasma membrane, resulted in cytosolic acidification with subsequent recovery from acidification. The Ca2+-activated acidification required the presence of Cl- in the medium, could be blocked by DIDS, and H2DIDS and was independent of the membrane potential. The subsequent recovery from acidification was absolutely dependent on the initial acidification, required the presence of Na+ in the medium, and was blocked by amiloride. Activation of protein kinase C without a change in [Ca2+]i did not alter pHi. Likewise, in H2DIDS-treated cells and in the absence of Cl-, an increase in [Ca2+]i did not activate the Na+/H+ exchanger in UMR-106 cells. These findings indicate that an increase in [Ca2+]i was sufficient to activate the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger, which results in the acidification of the cytosol. The accumulated H+ in the cytosol activated the Na+/H+ exchanger. Kinetic analysis of the anion exchange showed that at saturating intracellular OH-, a [Ca2+]i increase did not modify the properties of the extracellular site. A rise in [Ca2+]i increased the apparent affinity for intracellular OH- (or HCO3-) of both net anion and Cl- self exchange. These results indicate that [Ca2+]i modifies the interaction of intracellular OH- (or HCO3-) with the proposed regulatory site of the anion exchanger in UMR-106 cells.