Urea transport processes are induced in rat IMCD subsegments when urine concentrating ability is reduced.

Infusing urea into low-protein-fed mammals increases urine concentration within 5-10 min. To determine which urea transporter may be responsible, we measured urea transport in perfused IMCD3 segments [inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) segments from the deepest third of the IMCD] from low-protein-fed rats. Basal facilitated urea permeability increased 78%, whereas active urea secretion was completely inhibited. This suggests that upregulation of facilitated urea transport may mediate the rapid increase in urine concentration. Next, expression of active urea transporter(s) in perfused IMCDs was determined in rats with other causes of reduced urine concentrating ability. In untreated and water diuretic rats, IMCD1 segments showed no active urea transport, nor did IMCD2 segments from untreated or hypercalcemic rats. In IMCD1 segments from hypercalcemic rats, active urea reabsorption was induced. The induced active urea reabsorption was completely inhibited by replacing perfusate Na+ with N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG+). Active urea secretion was completely inhibited in IMCD3 segments from hypercalcemic rats. In contrast, water diuresis stimulated active urea secretion in IMCD2 segments. The induced active urea secretion was inhibited by phloretin, ouabain, triamterene, or replacing perfusate Na+ with NMDG+. In conclusion, the response of active urea transporters to reductions in urine concentrating ability follows two paradigms: one occurs with hypercalcemia or a low-protein diet, and the second occurs only in water diuresis.