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An in vitro analysis of intestinal ammonia transport in fasted and fed freshwater rainbow trout: roles of NKCC, K+ channels, and Na+, K+ ATPase

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Abstract

We examined mechanisms of ammonia handling in the anterior, mid, and posterior intestine of unfed and fed freshwater rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), with a focus on the Na+:K+:2Cl− co-transporter (NKCC), Na+:K +-ATPase (NKA), and K+ channels. NKCC was localized by immunohistochemistry to the mucosal (apical) surface of enterocytes, and NKCC mRNA was upregulated after feeding in the anterior and posterior segments. NH4+ was equally potent to K+ in supporting NKA activity in all intestinal sections. In vitro gut sac preparations were employed to examine mucosal ammonia flux rates (Jmamm, disappearance from the mucosal saline), serosal ammonia flux rates (Jsamm, appearance in the serosal saline), and total tissue ammonia production rates (Jtamm = Jsamm − Jmamm). Bumetanide (10−4 mol L−1), a blocker of NKCC, inhibited Jsamm in most preparations, but this was largely due to reduction of Jtamm; Jmamm was significantly inhibited only in the anterior intestine of fed animals. Ouabain (10−4 mol L−1), a blocker of NKA, generally reduced both Jmamm and Jsamm without effects on Jtamm in most preparations, though the anterior intestine was resistant after feeding. Barium (10−2 mol L−1), a blocker of K+ channels, inhibited Jmamm in most preparations, and Jsamm in some, without effects on Jtamm. These pharmacological results, together with responses to manipulations of serosal and mucosal Na+ and K+ concentrations, suggest that NKCC is not as important in ammonia absorption as previously believed. NH4+ appears to be taken up through barium-sensitive K+ channels on the mucosal surface. Mucosal NH4+ uptake via both NKCC and K+ channels is energized by basolateral NKA, which plays an additional role in scavenging NH4+ on the serosal surface to possibly minimize blood toxicity or enhance ion uptake and amino acid synthesis following feeding. Together with recent findings from other studies, we have provided an updated model to describe the current understanding of intestinal ammonia transport in teleost fish.

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Drs. Grant McClelland and Graham Scott at McMaster University for allowing the use of their lab space to complete some of the final experiments. Three anonymous reviewers provided constructive comments that improved the MS. This work was supported by NSERC Discovery grants (NSERC RGPIN 473-2012 and RGPIN 03843-2017) to CMW who was also supported by the Canada Research Chair Program (Award 203776). JMW was supported by NSERC DG RGPIN 04289-2014.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. McMaster University, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON, L8S4K1, Canada

    Julian G. Rubino & Chris M. Wood

  2. Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L3C5, Canada

    Jonathan M. Wilson

  3. University of British Columbia, 6270 University Blvd., Vancouver, BC, V6T1Z4, Canada

    Chris M. Wood

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  1. Julian G. Rubino
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Correspondence to Julian G. Rubino.

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Communicated by B. Pelster.

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Rubino, J.G., Wilson, J.M. & Wood, C.M. An in vitro analysis of intestinal ammonia transport in fasted and fed freshwater rainbow trout: roles of NKCC, K+ channels, and Na+, K+ ATPase. J Comp Physiol B 189, 549–566 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-019-01231-x

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