Influence of inorganic electrolytes and ouabain on uric acid transport

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Abstract
The importance of certain inorganic electrolytes in the transport of some organic acids by the kidney has been demonstrated. The present study was undertaken to evaluate further the transport characteristics for uric acid. Slices of rabbit kidney cortex were found to accumulate urate with a dependency on the medium potassium concentration. At 5 mm potassium the urate uptake was about 50% of maximum, with optimal accumulation above 10–40 mm potassium. Rubidium or cesium were found to substitute successfully for potassium; both substances permitted better uric acid accumulation than did potassium. Removal of sodium from the medium to concentrations as low as 65 mm did not influence urate uptake. At 15 mm sodium the urate accumulation was markedly depressed. Ouabain was found to depress urate uptake. The inhibition produced by this substance could be reversed by elevation of the medium potassium. Stop-flow analysis on the rabbit indicated that ouabain increased the proximal secretory peak for uric acid. On the basis of experiments where ouabain and probenecid were administered together, it was possible to attribute the action of ouabain to blockade of urate reabsorption.

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