Lactate concentration in the medulla of rat kidney

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Abstract
In vitro studies by others have shown that the inner medulla of the mammalian kidney, site of the countercurrent system for urine concentration, is a tissue capable of supporting anaerobic glycolysis at high ambient osmolalities. In vivo, this region of the kidney is believed to be relatively poorly supplied with oxygen, raising the possibility that glycolysis may provide energy for maintenance of the countercurrent system. Accordingly, lactate and sodium concentrations were measured in the inner medulla of the rat kidney under varying conditions of urine flow and osmolality. Osmotic diuresis, but not water diuresis, was associated with a twofold rise in inner medullary lactate compared to antidiuretic controls. Serum and renal cortical lactate levels were unaffected. Medullary sodium fell significantly during osmotic diuresis only. These results suggest that the transport of sodium in the loop of Henle may be linked to glycolytic metabolic pathways responsible for the high amount of lactate found in the inner medulla of mammalian kidney.

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