Effect of sustained flow perturbations on stability and compensation of tubuloglomerular feedback

A mathematical model previously formulated by us predicts that limit-cycle oscillations (LCO) in nephron flow are mediated by tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) and that the LCO arise from a bifurcation that depends heavily on the feedback gain magnitude, γ, and on its relationship to a theoretically determined critical value of gain, γc. In this study, we used that model to show how sustained perturbations in proximal tubule flow, a common experimental maneuver, can initiate or terminate LCO by changing the values of γ and γc, thus changing the sign of γ - γc. This result may help explain experiments in which intratubular pressure oscillations were initiated by the sustained introduction or removal of fluid from the proximal tubule (Leyssac PP and Baumbach L. Acta Physiol Scand 117: 415–419, 1983). In addition, our model predicts that, for a range of TGF sensitivities, sustained perturbations that initiate or terminate LCO can yield substantial and abrupt changes in both distal NaCl delivery and NaCl delivery compensation, changes that may play an important role in the response to physiological challenge.

Negative interstitial pressure in the peritendinous region during exercise

In the present study, tissue pressure in the peritendinous area ventral to the human Achilles tendon was determined. The pressure was measured during rest and intermittent isometric calf muscle exercise at three torques (56, 112, and 168 Nm) 20, 40 and 50 mm proximal to the insertion of the tendon in 11 healthy, young individuals. In all experiments a linear significant decrease in pressure was obtained with increasing torque [e.g., at 40 mm: −0.4 ± 0.3 mmHg (rest) to −135 ± 12 mmHg (168 Nm)]. No significant differences were obtained among the three areas measured. On the basis of these observations, microdialysis was performed in the peritendinous region with a colloid osmotic active substance (Dextran 70, 0.1 g/ml) added to the perfusate with the aim of counteracting the negative tissue pressure. Dialysate volume was found to be fully restored (100 ± 4%) during exercise. It is concluded that a marked negative tissue pressure is generated in the peritendinous space around the Achilles tendon during exercise in humans. Negative tissue pressure could lead to fluid shift and could be involved in the increase in blood flow previously noted in the peritendinous tissue during exercise (H. Langberg, J. Bülow, and M. Kjær. Acta Physiol. Scand. 163: 149–153, 1998; H. Langberg, J. Bülow, and M. Kjær. Clin. Physiol. 19: 89–93, 1999).

Beta 2-adrenergic vascular control in hemorrhage and its influence on cardiac performance

Cardiac output (CO), heart rate, stroke volume (SV), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were followed in anesthetized cats with intact and selectively blocked beta 2-adrenoceptors. SV and CO decreased and TPR increased initially after bleeding in both groups. After this, animals with intact beta 2-adrenoceptors showed gradual recovery of SV and CO and gradual restoration to control of the initially raised TPR. In beta 2-blocked animals SV and CO instead remained low and TPR high. These patterns of response occurred after mild, moderate, and severe bleeding. Separate experiments indicated that the restoration of TPR with intact beta 2-adrenoceptors mainly can be attributed to beta 2-adrenergic dilator interaction with the vasoconstrictor influences. The previously described beta 2-adrenergic control of plasma volume in hemorrhage (Acta Physiol. Scand. 116: 175-180, 1982) suggests that the increases in SV and CO with intact beta 2-adrenoceptors, in turn, probably are indirect effects on cardiac performance due to improved cardiac filling. A synthesis of present and previous findings thus suggests the existence of a beta 2-adrenergic vascular control in hemorrhage favoring tissue perfusion via decreased resistance and via increased plasma volume and hence SV and CO.

Epithelial transport parameters: an analysis of experimental strategies

A set of experiments was simulated on a computer version of the Koefoed-Johnsen & Ussing model for high-resistance epithelia. The results obtained were analysed according to procedures commonly applied to the analyses of experimental data and interpreted in terms of the model parameters. Although the computer model encodes a stoichiometry of 3:2 for Na-K exchange through the Na pump, the simulation of published experimental procedures yields different figures in almost every case. We show that E Na as originally defined by Ussing & Zerahn ( Acta physiol. scand . 23, 110-127 (1951)) and as obtained from flux-ratio experiments has different values under different experimental conditions with unchanged system parameters and that it is distinct from E Na measured by other methods. We also show that unless the pump is saturated with internal Na an increase in the rate of pumping cannot cause a substantial increase in the rate of transepithelial Na transport.

Intracellular Electrical Potentials in Frog Skin

The influence of changes in ionic composition of the bathing solutions on intracellular electrical potentials in frog skin has been examined. When the skin bathed in SO4 Ringer's solution is penetrated with a microelectrode two approximately equal potential jumps were frequently observed and most experiments were carried out with the electrode located between these steps. Substitution of Cl for SO4 in the bathing solutions caused a decrease in PD across both the "outer" and "inner" barriers. When the skin was short-circuited an average intracellular potential of -18 mv was found with both Cl and SO4 Ringer's. With the skin in SO4 Ringer's, decrease in Na concentration of the outside solution caused a decrease in PD between the microelectrode and the outside solution which was approximately the same as the decrease in total skin PD. With SO4 Ringer's, an increase in K concentration in the inside solution caused a marked decrease in total skin PD. However, only 50 per cent of this change occurred at the inner barrier, between the microelectrode and the inside solution. The remainder of the change occurred at the outer barrier. This observation does not appear to be consistent with the model of the skin proposed by Koefoed-Johnson and Ussing (Acta Physiol. Scand., 1958, 42, 298).