Role of luminal hydrostatic pressure in proximal tubular fluid reabsorption in the rat

The effect of small changes in intraluminal hydrostatic pressure (P) on the tubular radius (r) and the net fluid reabsorption per unit of surface area of the tubular wall (Js) has been studied in the proximal tubule of the rat kidney. The split-drop method was used to simultaneously determine Js and r. Two standardized split-drop techniques A and B allow selective change in P. P was 31.6 +/- 1.3 mmHg in technique A and 15.5 +/- 1.5 in technique B. The pressure difference significantly affected the tubular radius; r was 21.9 +/- 0.4 and 18.6 +/- 0.5 mum in the split drop A and B, respectively. In contrast, net transepithelial fluid reabsorption Js was unchanged. Js amounted to 2.72 +/- 0.20, and 2.78 +/- 0.33 10(-5) cm3 cm-2 s-1 in split drop A and B. The absence of variations in Js could result from two opposite effects of pressure. P might enhance Js by increased ultrafiltration. However, the rise in r might decrease the density of the intraepithelial transport paths per unit area of tubular wall and therefore might decrease Js.