Abstract

The isolated perfused rat kidney was used to investigate the effect of ethanol on the renal excretion and metabolism of choline. Choline at an initial perfusate concentration of 2.8 mM, with tracer amounts of [methyl-14C]choline, was recirculated through kidneys and radioactivity measured in perfusate, urine, and kidney. 14C-Choline and its metabolites were identified by chromatographic and electrophoretic procedures. Tubular excretion of choline was demonstrated and a transport maximum (Tm) of 1.6 mumol/kidney/min was reached at a choline perfusate concentration of 1.2 mM. Addition of 50 mM ethanol resulted in a 56% increase in the choline Tm and 100 mM ethanol decreased the choline Tm by 25%. The rate of loss of 14C-choline from the perfusate was increased by the lower ethanol concentration and decreased by the higher ethanol concentration. Ethanol at both concentrations diminished the amount of 14C remaining in the kidney. 14C-Betaine was the major choline metabolite and the only 14C-metabolite present in perfusate or urine. Addition of either 50 or 100 mM ethanol increased both glomerular filtration rate and urine volume.