Model of ionic transport for bovine ciliary epithelium: effects of acetazolamide and HCO

CH To, CW Do, AC Zamudio… - American Journal of …, 2001 - journals.physiology.org
CH To, CW Do, AC Zamudio, OA Candia
American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology, 2001journals.physiology.org
The possible existence of transepithelial bicarbonate transport across the isolated bovine
ciliary body was investigated by employing a chamber that allows for the measurement of
unidirectional, radiolabeled fluxes of CO2+ HCO 3−. No net flux of HCO 3− was detected.
However, acetazolamide (0.1 mM) reduced the simultaneously measured short-circuit
current (I sc). In other experiments in which36Cl− was used, a net Cl− flux of 1.12 μeq· h− 1·
cm− 2 (30 μA/cm2) in the blood-to-aqueous direction was detected. Acetazolamide, as well …
The possible existence of transepithelial bicarbonate transport across the isolated bovine ciliary body was investigated by employing a chamber that allows for the measurement of unidirectional, radiolabeled fluxes of CO2 + HCO. No net flux of HCO was detected. However, acetazolamide (0.1 mM) reduced the simultaneously measured short-circuit current (I sc). In other experiments in which36Cl was used, a net Cl flux of 1.12 μeq · h−1 · cm−2 (30 μA/cm2) in the blood-to-aqueous direction was detected. Acetazolamide, as well as removal of HCO from the aqueous bathing solution, inhibited the net Cl flux andI sc. Because such removal should increase HCO diffusion toward the aqueous compartment and increase the I sc, this paradoxical effect could result from cell acidification and partial closure of Clchannels. The acetazolamide effect on Cl fluxes can be explained by a reduction of cellular H+ and HCO (generated from metabolic CO2production), which exchange with Na+ and Clvia Na+/H+ and Cl/HCO exchangers, contributing to the net Cl transport. The fact that the net Clflux is about three times larger than the I sc is explained with a vectorial model in which there is a secretion of Na+ and K+ into the aqueous humor that partially subtracts from the net Cl flux. These transport characteristics of the bovine ciliary epithelium suggest how acetazolamide reduces intraocular pressure in the absence of HCO transport as a driving force for fluid secretion.
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