Effects of 'loop' diuretics on ion transport by dog tracheal epithelium

The 'loop' diuretics MK-196, bumetanide, piretanide, and furosemide are all potent inhibitors of Cl transport by the dog's tracheal epithelium. In short-circuited tissues, the drugs caused significant decreases in both unidirectional Cl fluxes and in the net flux of Cl toward the lumen; the change in net Cl flux was not significantly different from the change in short circuit current. The drugs had no effect on active Na absorption. All drugs caused a significant fall in tissue conductance. All drugs, except MK-196, were more potent from the serosal bath; MK-196 was equipotent from either side of the tissue. In experiments with isolated cells, the diuretics caused no significant changes in intracellular Na and K concentrations, a fall in intracellular Cl concentration, and approximately equal falls in Na and Cl influxes. These results suggest that the site of action of these drugs is on a basolateral linked Na-Cl entry process. Additional evidence for such a linked entry process was provided by experiments in which removal of Cl reduced Na influx and removal of Na reduced Cl influx.