ENaC inhibition stimulates HCl secretion in the mouse cortical collecting duct. I. Stilbene-sensitive Cl− secretion

Inhibition of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) reduces Cl− absorption in cortical collecting ducts (CCDs) from aldosterone-treated rats and mice. Since ENaC does not transport Cl−, the purpose of the present study was to explore how ENaC modulates Cl− absorption in mouse CCDs perfused in vitro. Therefore, we measured transepithelial Cl− flux and transepithelial voltage in CCDs perfused in vitro taken from mice that consumed a NaCl-replete diet alone or the diet with aldosterone administered by minipump. We observed that application of an ENaC inhibitor [benzamil (3 μM)] to the luminal fluid unmasks conductive Cl− secretion. During ENaC blockade, this Cl− secretion fell with the application of a nonselective Cl− channel blocker [DIDS (100 μM)] to the perfusate. While single channel recordings of intercalated cell apical membranes in split-open CCDs demonstrated a Cl− channel with properties that resemble the ClC family of Cl− channels, ClC-5 is not the primary pathway for benzamil-sensitive Cl− flux. In c...