New pathways for potassium transport in the kidney

Abstract

This review focuses on the hypothesis that potassium is recycled in the medulla by secretion into the pars recta or descending limb of long-looped nephrons and reabsorption from the ascending limb and/or medullary collecting duct. Evidence supporting the recycling hypothesis is summarized and the process is analyzed quantitatively by an examination of the mass flow of potassium reaching different sites along superficial and juxtamedullary nephrons and collecting tubules. From differences in potassium mass flow between sites, we have estimated the amount of potassium that must be secreted or absorbed by individual segments of the renal tubule. These rates of secretion and absorption are compared with the potassium transport characteristics of the respective segments, as assessed by isolated tubule perfusion in vitro and micropuncture in vivo. It is apparent that potassium secretion can occur passively in the pars recta and descending limb of long-looped nephrons as a consequence of the elevated potassium concentration in the medullary interstitium. At present, no active potassium absorptive mechanism has been demonstrated in any segment of the ascending limb. Due to the very high ionic permeability of the thin ascending segment and the lumen-positive transepithelial voltage in the thick ascending segment, however, considerable passive absorption likely occurs, although net potassium secretion has also been demonstrated in the cortical thick ascending limb. The high potassium concentration in the inner medullary interstitium and the difference in mass flow of potassium between the end of superficial nephrons in the cortex and the collecting ducts in the papilla, at least under certain circumstances, are best accounted for by net potassium reabsorption in the medullary collecting duct.