Effects of Chloride,Nitrate and Sulfate on ATPase of Renal Cortex and Medulla

Summary

The ascending limb of Henle actively reabsorbs chloride by a ouabain-inhibitable process. Since ouabain is considered to be a specific inhibitor of Na-K ATPase, a role for this enzyme in active chloride transport is suggested. The present investigation compares the effects of chloride, sulfate and nitrate on Mg²⁺ ATPase and Na-K ATPase of rabbit renal cortex and outer medulla. Renal Na-K ATPase activity is influenced by the anionic milieu, but the changes are not of great magnitude. There is no qualitative difference between the anion effects on the Na-K ATPase activity of cortex or outer medulla. It is concluded that chloride has no specific activating action on renal Na-K ATPase.