scholarly journals Sex Differences in Renal Ammonia Metabolism

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Autumn N. Harris ◽  
I. David Weiner
Keyword(s):  
Proximal Tubule ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Ammonia Excretion ◽  
Acid Base ◽  
Ammonia Metabolism ◽  
Transport Studies ◽  
Renal Structure ◽  
Optimal Health ◽  
Acid Load

Sexual dimorphic variations are present in many aspects of biology and involve the structure and/or function of nearly every organ system. Acid-base homeostasis is critical for optimal health, and renal ammonia metabolism has a major role in the maintenance of acid-base homeostasis. Recent studies have shown sex-dependent differences in renal ammonia metabolism with regards to both basal ammonia excretion and the response to an exogenous acid load. These sexual dimorphisms are associated with structural changes in the proximal tubule and the collecting duct and variations in the expression of multiple proteins involved in ammonia metabolism and transport. Studies using orchiectomy (ORCH)-induced testosterone deficiency and physiological testosterone replacement show testosterone underlies much of the sex-dependent differences in the proximal tubule. This parallels the finding that the canonical testosterone target receptor, androgen receptor (AR), is present exclusively in the proximal tubule. Thus, testosterone, possibly acting through AR activation, regulates multiple coponents of renal structure and ammonia metabolism. The lack of detectable AR in the remainder of the nephron and the collecting duct suggests that some dimorphisms in renal structure and ammonia transporter expression are mediated through mechanisms other than direct testosterone-dependent AR activation. A better understanding of the mechanism and biological implications of sex's effect on renal structure and ammonia metabolism is critical for optimizing our ability to care for both men and women with acid-base disturbances.

scholarly journals Differences in acidosis-stimulated renal ammonia metabolism in the male and female kidney

2019 ◽  
Vol 317 (4) ◽  
pp. F890-F905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Autumn N. Harris ◽  
Hyun-Wook Lee ◽  
Lijuan Fang ◽  
Jill W. Verlander ◽  
I. David Weiner
Keyword(s):  
Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase ◽  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Ammonia Excretion ◽  
Volume Density ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Ammonia Metabolism ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Predominant Component ◽  
Acid Load ◽  
Acid Loading

Renal ammonia excretion is a critical component of acid-base homeostasis, and changes in ammonia excretion are the predominant component of increased net acid excretion in response to metabolic acidosis. We recently reported substantial sex-dependent differences in basal ammonia metabolism that correlate with sex-dependent differences in renal structure and expression of key proteins involved in ammonia metabolism. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of sex on the renal ammonia response to an exogenous acid load. We studied 4-mo-old C57BL/6 mice. Ammonia excretion, which was less in male mice under basal conditions, increased in response to acid loading to a greater extent in male mice, such that maximal ammonia excretion did not differ between the sexes. Fundamental structural sex differences in the nonacid-loaded kidney persisted after acid loading, with less cortical proximal tubule volume density in the female kidney than in the male kidney, whereas collecting duct volume density was greater in the female kidney. To further investigate sex-dependent differences in the response to acid loading, we examined the expression of proteins involved in ammonia metabolism. The change in expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and Rh family B glycoprotein with acid loading was greater in male mice than in female mice, whereas Na+-K+-2Cl– cotransporter and inner stripe of the outer medulla intercalated cell Rh family C glycoprotein expression were significantly greater in female mice than in male mice. There was no significant sex difference in glutamine synthetase, Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3, or electrogenic Na+-bicarbonate cotransporter 1 variant A protein expression in response to acid loading. We conclude that substantial sex-dependent differences in the renal ammonia response to acid loading enable a similar maximum ammonia excretion response.

Acid-Base Effects of Combined Renal Deletion of NBCe1-A and NBCe1-B

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun-Wook Lee ◽  
Jill W. Verlander ◽  
Gary E Shull ◽  
Autumn N. Harris ◽  
I. David Weiner
Keyword(s):  
Proximal Tubule ◽  
Splice Variant ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Ammonia Excretion ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Acid Base ◽  
Outer Medulla ◽  
Ammonia Metabolism ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Acid Loading

The molecular mechanisms regulating ammonia metabolism are fundamental to acid-base homeostasis. Deleting the A splice variant of the Na⁺-bicarbonate cotransporter, electrogenic, isoform 1 (NBCe1-A) partially blocks the effect of acidosis to increase urinary ammonia excretion, and this appears to involve the dysregulated expression of ammoniagenic enzymes in the proximal tubule (PT) in the cortex, but not in the outer medulla (OM). A second NBCe1 splice variant, NBCe1-B, is present throughout the PT, including the OM, where NBCe1-A is not present. The current studies determined the effects of combined renal deletion of NBCe1-A and NBCe1-B on systemic and proximal tubule ammonia metabolism. We generated NBCe1-A/B deletion using Cre-loxP techniques and used Cre-negative mice as controls. Since renal NBCe1-A and NBCe1-B expression is limited to the proximal tubule, Cre-positive mice had proximal tubule NBCe1-A/B deletion (PT-NBCe1-A/B KO). While on basal diet, PT-NBCe1-A/B KO mice had severe metabolic acidosis, yet urinary ammonia excretion was not changed significantly. PT-NBCe1-A/B KO decreased expression of phosphate-dependent glutaminase (PDG) and phospho­enol­pyruvate carboxy­kinase (PEPCK) and increased expression of glutamine synthetase (GS), an ammonia recycling enzyme, in PT in both the cortex and OM. Exogenous acid-loading increased ammonia excretion in control mice, but PT-NBCe1-A/B KO prevented any increase. PT-NBCe1-A/B KO significantly blunted acid loading-induced changes in PDG, PEPCK, and GS expression in the proximal tubule in both the cortex and OM. We conclude that NBCe1-B, at least in the presence of NBCe1-A deletion, contributes to proximal tubule ammonia metabolism in the OM and thereby to systemic acid-base regulation.

scholarly journals Effect of hypokalemia on renal expression of the ammonia transporter family members, Rh B Glycoprotein and Rh C Glycoprotein, in the rat kidney

2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (4) ◽  
pp. F823-F832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ki-Hwan Han ◽  
Hyun-Wook Lee ◽  
Mary E. Handlogten ◽  
Jesse M. Bishop ◽  
Moshe Levi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Metabolic Alkalosis ◽  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Ammonia Excretion ◽  
Intercalated Cells ◽  
Acid Base ◽  
Ammonia Metabolism ◽  
Transporter Family ◽  
Base Disorder

Hypokalemia is a common electrolyte disorder that increases renal ammonia metabolism and can cause the development of an acid-base disorder, metabolic alkalosis. The ammonia transporter family members, Rh B glycoprotein (Rhbg) and Rh C glycoprotein (Rhcg), are expressed in the distal nephron and collecting duct and mediate critical roles in acid-base homeostasis by facilitating ammonia secretion. In the current studies, the effect of hypokalemia on renal Rhbg and Rhcg expression was examined. Normal Sprague-Dawley rats received either K+-free or control diets for 2 wk. Rats receiving the K+-deficient diet developed hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis associated with significant increases in both urinary ammonia excretion and urine pH. Rhcg expression increased in the outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD). In OMCD intercalated cells, hypokalemia resulted in more discrete apical Rhcg expression and a marked increase in apical plasma membrane immunolabel. In principal cells, in the OMCD, hypokalemia increased both apical and basolateral Rhcg immunolabel intensity. Cortical Rhcg expression was not detectably altered by immunohistochemistry, although there was a slight decrease in total expression by immunoblot analysis. Rhbg protein expression was decreased slightly in the cortex and not detectably altered in the outer medulla. We conclude that in rat OMCD, hypokalemia increases Rhcg expression, causes more polarized apical expression in intercalated cells, and increases both apical and basolateral expression in the principal cell. Increased plasma membrane Rhcg expression in response to hypokalemia in the rat, particularly in the OMCD, likely contributes to the increased ammonia excretion and thereby to the development of metabolic alkalosis.

scholarly journals Testosterone modulates renal ammonia metabolism

2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (4) ◽  
pp. F922-F935 ◽  
Author(s):  
Autumn N. Harris ◽  
Hyun-Wook Lee ◽  
Jill W. Verlander ◽  
I. David Weiner
Keyword(s):  
Proximal Tubule ◽  
Ammonia Excretion ◽  
Primary Component ◽  
Testosterone Replacement ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Ammonia Metabolism ◽  
Cellular Expression ◽  
Renal Structure ◽  
Bilateral Orchiectomy

There are substantial sex differences in renal structure and ammonia metabolism that correlate with differences in expression of proteins involved in ammonia generation and transport. This study determined the role of testis-derived testosterone in these differences. We studied 4-mo-old male C57BL/6 mice 4 and 8 wk after either bilateral orchiectomy (ORCH) or sham-operated control surgery and determined the effect of testosterone replacement to reverse the effects of ORCH. Finally, we determined the cellular expression of androgen receptor (AR), testosterone’s canonical target receptor. ORCH decreased kidney and proximal tubule size, and testosterone replacement reversed this effect. ORCH increased ammonia excretion in a testosterone-dependent fashion; this occurred despite similar food intake, which is the primary component of endogenous acid production. ORCH increased expression of both phospho enolpyruvate, a major ammonia-generating protein, and Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter, which mediates thick ascending limb ammonia reabsorption; these changes were reversed with testosterone replacement. Orchiectomy also decreased expression of Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3, which mediates proximal tubule ammonia secretion, in a testosterone-dependent pattern. Finally, ARs are expressed throughout the proximal tubule in both the male and female kidney. Testosterone, possibly acting through ARs, has dramatic effects on kidney and proximal tubule size and decreases ammonia excretion through its effects on several key proteins involved in ammonia metabolism.

Effect of reduced renal mass on renal ammonia transporter family, Rh C glycoprotein and Rh B glycoprotein, expression

2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (4) ◽  
pp. F1238-F1247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hye-Young Kim ◽  
Chris Baylis ◽  
Jill W. Verlander ◽  
Ki-Hwan Han ◽  
Sirirat Reungjui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Creatinine Clearance ◽  
Renal Mass ◽  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Ammonia Excretion ◽  
Sham Operation ◽  
Acid Base ◽  
Ammonia Metabolism ◽  
Adaptive Changes ◽  
Predominant Component ◽  
Transporter Family

Kidneys can maintain acid-base homeostasis, despite reduced renal mass, through adaptive changes in net acid excretion, of which ammonia excretion is the predominant component. The present study examines whether these adaptations are associated with changes in the ammonia transporter family members, Rh B glycoprotein (Rhbg) and Rh C glycoprotein (Rhcg). We used normal Sprague-Dawley rats and a 5/6 ablation-infarction model of reduced renal mass; control rats underwent sham operation. After 1 wk, glomerular filtration rate, assessed as creatinine clearance, was decreased, serum bicarbonate was slightly increased, and Na+ and K+ were unchanged. Total urinary ammonia excretion was unchanged, but urinary ammonia adjusted for creatinine clearance, an index of per nephron ammonia metabolism, increased significantly. Although reduced renal mass did not alter total Rhcg protein expression, both light microscopy and immunohistochemistry with quantitative morphometric analysis demonstrated hypertrophy of both intercalated cells and principal cells in the cortical and outer medullary collecting duct that was associated with increased apical and basolateral Rhcg polarization. Rhbg expression, analyzed using immunoblot analysis, immunohistochemistry, and measurement of cell-specific expression, was unchanged. We conclude that altered subcellular localization of Rhcg contributes to adaptive changes in single-nephron ammonia metabolism and maintenance of acid-base homeostasis in response to reduced renal mass.

scholarly journals NBCe1-A Regulates Proximal Tubule Ammonia Metabolism under Basal Conditions and in Response to Metabolic Acidosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 1182-1197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun-Wook Lee ◽  
Gunars Osis ◽  
Autumn N. Harris ◽  
Lijuan Fang ◽  
Michael F. Romero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Acidosis ◽  
Proximal Tubule ◽  
Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Ammonia Excretion ◽  
Urine Ph ◽  
Ammonia Metabolism ◽  
Acid Loading

Renal ammonia metabolism is the primary mechanism through which the kidneys maintain acid-base homeostasis, but the molecular mechanisms regulating renal ammonia generation are unclear. In these studies, we evaluated the role of the proximal tubule basolateral plasma membrane electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter 1 variant A (NBCe1-A) in this process. Deletion of the NBCe1-A gene caused severe spontaneous metabolic acidosis in mice. Despite this metabolic acidosis, which normally causes a dramatic increase in ammonia excretion, absolute urinary ammonia concentration was unaltered. Additionally, NBCe1-A deletion almost completely blocked the ability to increase ammonia excretion after exogenous acid loading. Under basal conditions and during acid loading, urine pH was more acidic in mice with NBCe1-A deletion than in wild-type controls, indicating that the abnormal ammonia excretion was not caused by a primary failure of urine acidification. Instead, NBCe1-A deletion altered the expression levels of multiple enzymes involved in proximal tubule ammonia generation, including phosphate-dependent glutaminase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and glutamine synthetase, under basal conditions and after exogenous acid loading. Deletion of NBCe1-A did not impair expression of key proteins involved in collecting duct ammonia secretion. These studies demonstrate that the integral membrane protein NBCe1-A has a critical role in basal and acidosis-stimulated ammonia metabolism through the regulation of proximal tubule ammonia-metabolizing enzymes.

Regulation of AQP6 mRNA and protein expression in rats in response to altered acid-base or water balance

2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (6) ◽  
pp. F1014-F1026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Promeneur ◽  
Tae-Hwan Kwon ◽  
Masato Yasui ◽  
Gheun-Ho Kim ◽  
Jørgen Frøkiær ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Balance ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Water Intake ◽  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Protein Abundance ◽  
Acid Base ◽  
Urine Ph ◽  
Daily Water Intake ◽  
Acid Load

In the rat, aquaporin-6 (AQP6) is mainly localized in intercalated cells (ICs) in collecting ducts, where it is exclusively associated with intracellular vesicles. In this study, we examined whether AQP6 protein and mRNA expression were regulated in the inner medulla or inner stripe of the outer medulla. Rats treated with dietary alkali or acid load for 7 days with a fixed daily water intake revealed appropriate changes in urine pH but unchanged urine output. AQP6 protein and mRNA abundance were increased in alkali-loaded rats (187 ± 18 and 151 ± 17% of control, respectively), whereas no changes were observed in acid-loaded rats. Immunohistochemistry revealed increased IC AQP6 labeling in alkali-loaded rats but not in acid-loaded rats. In contrast, administration of NH4Cl in the drinking water for 2 wk (free access to water) revealed a significant increase in AQP6 protein abundance (194 ± 9% of control), but this was associated with increased water intake. Combined, this suggests that AQP6 expression was not affected by acid loading per se but rather was in response to changes in water intake. Consistent with this, water loading for 48 h was associated with increased AQP6 protein abundance, compared with thirsted rats. Moreover, rats with lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus had a threefold increase in both AQP6 protein and mRNA expression. Overall, these results suggest that AQP6 expression in collecting duct ICs is regulated by altered acid/alkali load or water balance. Thus AQP6 may contribute to maintenance of acid-base homeostasis and water balance.

Characterization of acid-base transporters in cultured outer medullary collecting duct cells

1992 ◽  
Vol 263 (6) ◽  
pp. F996-F1003
Author(s):  
T. M. Manger ◽  
B. M. Koeppen
Keyword(s):  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Disulfonic Acid ◽  
Bathing Solution ◽  
Acid Base ◽  
Recovery Mechanism ◽  
Acid Load ◽  
Recovery Mechanisms ◽  
Collecting Duct Cells ◽  
Medullary Collecting Duct

Cells from the inner stripe of the rabbit outer medullary collecting duct (OMCDi) were grown in primary culture, and their acid-base transport properties were characterized using intracellular pH (pHi) measurements with the fluorescent probe 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). Basal pHi in HCO(3-)-buffered solutions was 7.28 +/- 0.04 (n = 20). The presence of a Cl-/HCO(3-)-antiporter was demonstrated by reversible alkalinization on bath Cl- removal. The mean alkalinization seen on Cl- removal was 0.16 +/- 0.02 pH units (n = 20) and was inhibited 92% by 10(-4) M 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid. Studies were also performed to determine the presence of an Na+/H+ antiporter and an H(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (H(+)-ATPase). After an NH4Cl acid load the cells exhibited both Na(+)-dependent and Na(+)-independent pHi recovery mechanisms. The Na(+)-dependent mechanism was inhibited by amiloride. The Na(+)-independent mechanism was completely inhibited by 10(-3) M N-ethylmaleimide or 2.5 x 10(-9) M bafilomycin A1, but was not significantly altered by removal of bathing solution K+. Thus, the Na(+)-dependent recovery mechanism exhibited characteristics of an Na+/H+ antiporter, whereas the Na(+)-independent recovery mechanism was consistent with the presence of an H(+)-ATPase.

Renal regulation of acid-base balance in the bullfrog

1961 ◽  
Vol 201 (6) ◽  
pp. 980-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisato Yoshimura ◽  
Masateru Yata ◽  
Minoru Yuasa ◽  
Robert A. Wolbach
Keyword(s):  
Carbonic Anhydrase ◽  
Ammonia Excretion ◽  
Respiratory Acidosis ◽  
Acid Base Balance ◽  
Acid Base ◽  
Urinary Ph ◽  
Base Balance ◽  
Chloride Excretion ◽  
Acid Load ◽  
Renal Carbonic Anhydrase

Renal mechanisms for the maintenance of acid-base balance were studied in the normal bullfrog, during metabolic and respiratory acidosis, and after carbonic anhydrase inhibition. Following intravenous administration of 0.3–12 mmole HCl/ kg, as 0.1 n HCl, urinary pH (initially pH 6.3–7.7) did not change significantly. However, urinary ammonia excretion increased more than twofold, and within 3–5 days the cumulative increase was equivalent to the acid load given. Despite the increased ammonia excretion, chloride excretion did not increase after acid loading. In both normal and acidotic bullfrogs ammonia excretion was correlated with an increase in urinary pH. Respiratory acidosis in the small frog, Rana limnocharis, produced by exposure to 6.4% CO2 in air, induced neither urinary acidification nor increased ammonia excretion; both urinary sodium and bicarbonate excretion increased. When renal carbonic anhydrase was inhibited by acetazoleamide injection, urine flow, sodium excretion, and bicarbonate excretion increased markedly, urinary pH increased slightly, and urinary ammonia excretion remained unchanged. These renal responses to acidosis are compared with those of the acidotic dog.

scholarly journals NBCe1-A is required for the renal ammonia and K+ response to hypokalemia

2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (2) ◽  
pp. F402-F421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun-Wook Lee ◽  
Autumn N. Harris ◽  
Michael F. Romero ◽  
Paul A. Welling ◽  
Charles S. Wingo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Acidosis ◽  
Proximal Tubule ◽  
Splice Variant ◽  
Ammonia Excretion ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Outer Medulla ◽  
Ammonia Metabolism ◽  
Tissue Sections ◽  
K Response

Hypokalemia increases ammonia excretion and decreases K+ excretion. The present study examined the role of the proximal tubule protein NBCe1-A in these responses. We studied mice with Na+-bicarbonate cotransporter electrogenic, isoform 1, splice variant A (NBCe1-A) deletion [knockout (KO) mice] and their wild-type (WT) littermates were provided either K+ control or K+-free diet. We also used tissue sections to determine the effect of extracellular ammonia on NaCl cotransporter (NCC) phosphorylation. The K+-free diet significantly increased proximal tubule NBCe1-A and ammonia excretion in WT mice, and NBCe1-A deletion blunted the ammonia excretion response. NBCe1-A deletion inhibited the ammoniagenic/ammonia recycling enzyme response in the cortical proximal tubule (PT), where NBCe1-A is present in WT mice. In the outer medulla, where NBCe1-A is not present, the PT ammonia metabolism response was accentuated by NBCe1-A deletion. KO mice developed more severe hypokalemia and had greater urinary K+ excretion during the K+-free diet than did WT mice. This was associated with blunting of the hypokalemia-induced change in NCC phosphorylation. NBCe1-A KO mice have systemic metabolic acidosis, but experimentally induced metabolic acidosis did not alter NCC phosphorylation. Although KO mice have impaired ammonia metabolism, experiments in tissue sections showed that lack of ammonia does impair NCC phosphorylation. Finally, urinary aldosterone was greater in KO mice than in WT mice, but neither expression of epithelial Na+ channel α-, β-, and γ-subunits nor of H+-K+-ATPase α1- or α2-subunits correlated with changes in urinary K+. We conclude that NBCe1-A is critical for the effect of diet-induced hypokalemia to increase cortical proximal tubule ammonia generation and for the expected decrease in urinary K+ excretion.

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