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Purpose: This study was designed to determine if DMO limits in vitro development of aneuploid-enriched mouse embryos by activating a Trp53-dependent mechanism., Methods: Mouse cleavage-stage embryos were treated with reversine to induce aneuploidy or vehicle to generate controls, and then cultured in media supplemented with DMO to reduce the pH of the culture media. Embryo morphology was assessed by phase microscopy. Cell number, mitotic figures, and apoptotic bodies were revealed by staining fixed embryos with DAPI. mRNA levels of Trp53, Oct-4, and Cdx2 were monitored by quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qPCRs). The effect of Trp53 on the expression of Oct-4 and Cdx2 was assessed by depleting Trp53 using Trp53 siRNA., Results: Aneuploid-enriched late-stage blastocysts were morphologically indistinguishable from control blastocysts but had fewer cells and reduced mRNA levels of Oct-4 and Cdx2. Adding 1 mM DMO to the culture media during the 8-cell to blastocyst transition reduced the formation of aneuploid-enriched late-stage blastocysts but not control blastocysts and further suppressed the levels of Oct-4 and Cdx2 mRNA. Trp53 RNA levels in aneuploid-enriched embryos that were exposed to DMO were > twofold higher than controls, and Trp53 siRNA levels reduced the levels of Trp53 and increased levels of Oct-4 and Cdx2 mRNA by > twofold., Conclusion: These studies suggest that the development of morphologically normal aneuploid-enriched mouse blastocysts can be inhibited by adding low amounts of DMO to the culture media, which results in elevated levels of Trp53 mRNA that suppresses Oct-4 and Cdx2 expression., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Natural infections of mammals with African trypanosomes, such as Trypanosoma brucei, are generally pleomorphic, the population consisting of different forms, termed slender and stumpy forms, that vary in number as the parasitaemia develops. We show that the differentiation of slender into stumpy forms is characterized by the acquisition by the parasite of the ability to regulate its internal pH, even in the face of a large, inwardly directed gradient of H+, as well as a tolerance towards external proteolytic stress. These adaptations effectively abbrogate cellular stress-activated signalling pathways involving adenylate cyclase and glycosylphosphoinositol-specific phospholipase-C mediated release of the surface coat. Although in metabolic terms stumpy forms of the parasite are considered to be preadapted to life in the arthropod vector, these data clearly demonstrate that these forms also possess additional cellular adaptations designed to deal with the immediate and potentially harmful changes in the extracellular environment that occur upon ingestion of a bloodmeal by the tsetse fly vector.

Objective: To measure intracellular and tissue pH in periarticular soft tissue during different phases of antigen induced arthritis in the rat., Methods: pH was calculated using the following values: (1) the distribution of [14C]-dimethyl-oxazolidinedione; (2) the total tissue water and the extracellular space water volume, which was measured as [14C]-sucrose distribution in nephrectomized rats. Experiments were performed during both maximal inflammation (Day 3) and the restorative phase (Day 14)., Results: In all animals both tissue (pHt) and intracellular (pHi) pH were lower in arthritic joints than in the contralateral control. Mean pHt in control joints was 7.37+/-0.03. In arthritic rats it was 7.30+/-0.05 on Day 3 after challenge and 7.27+/-0.03 on Day 14. The pHi ranges were 6.86-7.81 for controls, 6.65-7.28 for arthritis Day 3, and 5.66-6.91 for arthritis Day 14., Conclusion: In this model there is a reduction in pH in the periarticular tissue of arthritic joints. The magnitude is, however, relatively small and the pannus tissue is not uniquely acidic in comparison with other compartments. There does not seem to be a correlation between pH and changes in metabolic balance, pannus formation, or healing.

Many organic solvents are frequently used as support solvents to dissolve chemicals in the study concerning drug metabolism mediated by cytochrome P450. However, some organic solvents used as the support solvents affect the chemical's metabolism. It has been reported that some organic solvents are metabolized by CYP2E1 or inhibit its enzymatic reaction. In this study we investigated the effects of organic solvents, such as acetonitrile (AN), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), ethanol (EtOH), methanol (MeOH), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and propylene glycol (PG) on TMO (trimethadione) metabolism, which is mainly mediated by CYP2E1 in the rat. In the in vivo study, male SD rats were pretreated with an organic solvent intraperitoneally at a dosage of 0.5, 1 or 2 mmol/kg 1 hour before TMO administration orally at the dose of 4 mg/kg. After 2 hours, serum concentrations of TMO and DMO were determined by gas chromatography/flame detection (CG/FTD) and the serum DMO/TMO ratio was employed for assessment of the metabolic capacity of TMO. In the in vitro study, hepatic microsomal fraction was used as an enzyme source of TMO N-demethylase and enzyme activities were determined by the production of DMO. Pretreatment with DMSO and PG decreased the DMO/TMO ratio in a dose-related manner in vivo study. Furthermore, in vitro study TMO N-demethylase activity was inhibited by DMSO, EtOH and PG with different potency in a concentration related manner. However, no remarkable effects were observed by AN or PEG both in vivo and in vitro study. These results indicated that there are variations in the inhibitory effects of these organic solvents on CYP2E1-mediated metabolism and AN and PEG will be useful solvents to dissolve chemicals in the metabolic study mainly mediated by CYP2E1.

Cell membrane depolarization and tissue acidosis occur rapidly in severely ischemic brain. Preischemic hyperglycemia is recognized to increase ischemic tissue acidosis and the present studies were undertaken to correlate depolarization and tissue acidosis during acute focal cerebral ischemia and hyperglycemia. We used a dual-label autoradiography method to simultaneously measure the in vivo distribution of [3H]nimodipine and [14C]DMO (5,5-dimethyl-2,4-oxazolidinedione) in brain to identify regions of ischemic depolarization and measure regional net tissue pH. Regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured in separate studies. Measurements were made 30 minutes after combined middle cerebral artery and ipsilateral common carotid artery occlusion in normoglycemic and hyperglycemic rats. Tissue pH in the ischemic cortex was depressed to 6.76 +/- 0.11 in normoglycemic rats (n = 12) and 6.57 +/- 0.13 in hyperglycemic rats (n = 12), with significantly greater acidosis in the hyperglycemic group (P < 0.001). In contrast the ratio of [3H]nimodipine uptake in the ischemic cortex relative to the contralateral nonischemic cortex was significantly greater in normoglycemic (1.83 +/- 0.45) than hyperglycemic (1.40 +/- 0.50) rats (P < 0.05). Within this region of ischemic cortex CBF was 31 +/- 22 mL/100 g in normoglycemic rats (n = 8) and 33 +/- 22 mL/100 g/min in hyperglycemic rats (n = 9). Cerebral blood flow did not differ between these two groups in any region. Thus hyperglycemia reduced the extent of ischemic depolarization within the cortex during the first 30 minutes of focal cerebral ischemia. This effect may be related to the increased tissue acidosis or to other factors that may lessen calcium influx and preserve cellular energy stores in the ischemic cortex of the hyperglycemic rats.

Previous experiments using the transplacental distribution of 14C-DMO (5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione or commonly known as dimethadione) have demonstrated that the pH of rat embryos and fluids progressively decreases during organogenesis. The aim of the present experiments was to similarly evaluate pH changes during organogenesis in the cynomolgus monkey, which is a model for human embryogenesis. Using DMO quantitated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as opposed to the counting of radiolabelled compound, cynomolgus monkey embryos were determined to undergo a similar decrease in embryonic pHi over an approximately comparable period of development (Days 24-36 of gestation). The ratio of DMO in chorionic fluid to DMO in maternal plasma in the cynomolgus monkey also displayed a decrease with advancing gestational age indicative of a pH decrease. The DMO transplacental distribution was found to be significantly slower in the cynomolgus monkey than that in rodents. The present investigation indicates that the magnitude of the reduction of pH in embryonic cells and in extra-embryonic fluids over a period of organogenesis in the cynomolgus monkey is similar to the reduction detected in rodent embryos and fluids over a comparable developmental period, but the relative gradient between maternal blood pH and embryonic intracellular pH is different. The difference in the pH gradient between the two species may lead to differential transplacental distribution of exogenous and endogenous substances.

1. The recovery of trimethadione (TMO) metabolism and its association with liver weight and the activity of TMO N-demethylase have been reported in rat following partial (68%) hepatectomy. In the present study, we examined the effect of liver regeneration on hepatic P450 isozymes and TMO metabolism in dog. 2. The ratio of dimethadione (DMO), being the only TMO metabolite, to TMO at 2 h after i.v. injection of TMO (4 mg/kg) fell to 80% of that in the preoperative animals by 24 h after hepatectomy. The DMO/TMO ratio gradually recovered from days 7 to 14, and by day 21 after hepatectomy it had increased to about 25%. At 28 days post-hepatectomy the ratio had returned to preoperative levels. 3. The activity of benzphetamine N-demethylase, TMO N-demethylase, p-nitro-anisole O-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase increased 3 days post-hepatectomy, exhibiting levels 4.77, 3.45, 1.51 and 1.91 times greater respectively than that of the preoperative liver in the same animal. Two weeks post-hepatectomy these activities had returned to normal. The activity of the 16 beta- and 2 beta-hydroxylation of testosterone was unchanged. However, the activity of 6 beta-hydroxylase decreased 7 days post-hepatectomy, while 16 alpha-hydroxylation had increased at 3 and 7 days post-hepatectomy compared with controls. 4. The changes in liver weight were nearly restored to preoperative levels 7 days post-hepatectomy. 5. Although the P450 content was unchanged from days 1 to 7 post-hepatectomy, it had decreased by 30% at day 14 and by 20% at day 28. The P4502B11 content 3, 7 and 14 days post-hepatectomy had increased 8, 10 and 2 times respectively, while the P4503A12 content at 7 and 14 days decreased by 30 approximately 50% compared with that of the pre-operative liver. 6. The data presented above do not reveal any relationship between P4502B11 induction and liver regeneration. The reason for such a change is unknown, therefore further investigation needs to be carried out.

The influx clearance (PSinf.MID) of the weak acid 5,5'-dimethyl-oxazolidine-2,4-dione (DMO) was determined by the multiple indicator dilution method with the isolated perfused rat liver under various perfusate pH conditions, ranging from 6.4 to 7.6. Although the pH partition theory predicted an increase in influx clearance of ten times in proportion to the change in the unionized fraction of DMO, there was no measurable change in this value. The effect of medium pH on the steady-state cell/medium concentration ratio (C/M) ratio of DMO was also investigated using isolated hepatocytes. The C/M ratio increased while medium pH decreased, but this change was less marked than predicted by the pH partition theory. Finally the pH dependency of the dissociation rate constant (koff) of epidermal growth factor from its receptor was also investigated using both isolated rat hepatocytes and the perfused rat liver. When the extracellular pH was changed from 6.4 to 5.6, the koff value of isolated hepatocytes increased 44 times, while that of the perfused rat liver increased only 9 times. Therefore, the effect of changing the extracellular pH on pH-dependent dissociation of epidermal growth factor from its cell-surface receptor was less in the perfused liver than in isolated hepatocytes. These findings, in addition to the well-known existence of the Na(+)-H+ exchanger on the sinusoidal membrane and the possible existence of the unstirred water layer in the Disse space, seem to suggest the existence of the proton diffusion barrier in the rat liver, which remains stronger in the perfused liver than in isolated hepatocytes.

The membrane potential and pH gradient over the plasma membrane of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei were measured with radioactive indicators in combination with the silicone oil centrifugation technique over a range of temperatures. At 37 degrees C a small membrane potential and pH gradient of similar magnitude, but of opposite polarity, were measured. The resulting electrochemical proton gradient was almost zero. However, when the temperature was lowered from 37 degrees C to 22 degrees C, the internal pH was kept constant independent of the external pH and a membrane potential of between -100 and -150 mV was measured, depending on the external pH. Measurements at various temperatures between 15 degrees C and 37 degrees C revealed that above 26 degrees C the membrane potential collapsed and that this collapse correlated with a sudden increase in membrane fluidity. The uptake of 2-deoxy-D-glucose and of pyruvate, which are both mediated by facilitated diffusion carriers in the plasma membrane of the trypanosome, were also affected by this sudden increase in fluidity of the membrane. The overall rate of the conversion of glucose into its metabolites, which is independent of the plasma membrane, varied only gradually. We conclude (i) that major changes occur in the plasma membrane of T. brucei around 26 degrees C, that affect all membrane related processes; (ii) that the electrochemical proton gradient plays a minor role in the energy metabolism of T. brucei when it resides in the bloodstream of the mammalian host at 37 degrees C; and (iii) that below 26 degrees C an electrochemical proton gradient is maintained over the plasma membrane.

The effect of the weak organic acid of dimethadione (DMO) on secretin-stimulated pancreatic secretion was studied with repeated oral administration of trimethadione (TMO), the precursor of DMO, to dogs at a dose of 10 to 160mg/kg/day for a period of 14 days. The bicarbonate concentration in pancreatic juice at a steady state decreased significantly, reflecting a close correlation with the dose of TMO and DMO concentrations in plasma and pancreatic juice. The maximal decrement from the control of cases of no TMO administration was 18.8 mEq/l (12.1% of the control level). The chloride concentration in pancreatic juice showed a reciprocal relation to the bicarbonate concentration. The sum of both anion concentration was constant, irrespective of the dose of TMO. The average carbon dioxide tension of pancreatic juice in all doses of TMO was lower than that of the control, but differences were not statistically significant. The pH, flow rate, sodium and potassium concentrations in pancreatic juice at a steady state did not differ significantly in relation to the dose of TMO. These findings suggest that repeated oral administration of TMO cause a significant decrease in bicarbonate concentration in pancreatic juice, resulting probably from the buffer action of bicarbonate on protons provided from the undissociated form of DMO.

During the early period after poliovirus infection of HeLa cells, cellular Na+/K+ ATPase activity is transiently activated. We investigated the possibility that Na+/K+ ATPase activation is a consequence of Na+/H+ antiporter activation. Increased uptake of the weak organic acid 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione by infected cells around 2 h after infection suggested cytoplasmic alkalinization equivalent to pH 7.7 during the biosynthetic phase of viral replication. Consistent with the involvement of Na+/H+ antiporter activation in this phenomenon, it was found to be [Na+]-dependent and inhibited by 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (EIPA). However, the pH increase was not associated with an increase in amiloride-sensitive Na+ uptake by infected cells predicted by this mechanism. By contrast, the alkalinization could be abolished with the anion-exchange inhibitor 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), implicating an anion-exchange mechanism, such as Cl-/HCO3- exchange, in this process. In addition to abolishing virus-induced intracellular alkalinization, both EIPA and DIDS moderately inhibited viral replication. Manipulation of intracellular pH with nigericin in the incubation medium revealed that maximum viral replication required a pH of about 7.7 and that replication was significantly inhibited even at pH 7.3. Thus, the pH increase in infected cells appeared to be physiologically relevant. These findings represent the first demonstration of a biologically meaningful pH increase in cells infected with a lytic virus.

Inhibition of the metabolic activities of bacteria by trace amounts of fluoride is manifested phenomenologically as changes in the pH gradient and/or the electrical potential between the cellular interior and the surrounding medium. These data were obtained from the intracellular/extracellular distribution of radioactivity labelled fluoride (18F), 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione (14C), and tetraphenylphosphonium chloride (14C). When taken up from acidic media, trace concentrations of fluoride (1-100 microM) reduce the intracellular/extracellular pH gradient and affect the electrical potential across the cell membrane. The chromatographic fractionation of fluoride-charged bacterial homogenates showed that fluoride is attached to many proteins of the cytoplasm, the cell membrane, and to nonproteinaceous components of the cell wall. Lysozyme treatment synergistically affects the vulnerability of the bacteria to micromolar concentrations of fluoride.

To examine pancreatic excretion of dimethadione (DMO), a weak organic acid, as well as of its precursor trimethadione (TMO), TMO was given orally to dogs with pancreatic fistulae at a dose of 10-160 mg/kg/day over a period of 14 days. Blood samples were taken once a day during the administration of TMO and for 7 days after discontinuation of the drug. On the 15th day, pancreatic juice was collected under stimulation by secretin (2 Crick-Haper-Raper units/kg/h). DMO concentration in plasma reached a maximal plateau around the 10th day after starting TMO administration, and depended directly on the dose of TMO. Pancreatic excretion of DMO at a steady state closely depended on both the dose of TMO and the DMO concentration in plasma. The pancreatic juice/plasma concentration ratio for DMO exceeded 1.0 at a steady rate and decreased with the increased flow rate. Pancreatic DMO clearance (DMO output/DMO concentration in plasma) increased, depending on the flow rate, the bicarbonate concentration, and pH of pancreatic juice. Pancreatic excretion of TMO was zero or extremely low.

The intracellular pH (pHi) of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, both in the steady state and under conditions of acid loading or recovery from acid loading, was investigated by measuring the transmembrane flux of H+ equivalents and correlating this with changes in the distribution ratio of dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione (DMO). The pHi of cells placed in an acidic medium (pHo below 7.15) decreases and reaches a steady-state value that is more alkaline than the outside. For example when pHo is acutely reduced to 5.5, pHi falls exponentially from 7.20 +/- 0.06 to 6.29 +/- 0.04 with a halftime of 5.92 +/- 1.37 min, suggesting a rapid influx of H+. The unidirectional influx of H+ exhibits saturation kinetics with respect to extracellular [H+]; the maximal flux is 15.8 +/- 0.05 mmol/(kg dry wt X min) and Km is 0.74 +/- 0.09 X 10(-6) M. Steady-state cells with pHi above 6.8 continuously extrude H+ by a process that is not dependent on ATP but is inhibited by anaerobiosis. Acid-loaded cells (pHi 6.3) when returned to pHo 7.3 medium respond by transporting H+, resulting in a rapid rise in pHi. The halftime for this process is 1.09 +/- 0.22 min. The H+ efflux measured under similar conditions increases as the intracellular acid load increases. An ATP-independent as well as an ATP-dependent efflux contributes to the restoration of pHi to its steady-state value.

An increased mean diffusion permeability across human chorion laeve in vitro was measured for meperidine (D = 5.26 x 10(-6) cm.2 sec.-1) and diazepam (D = 4.51 X 10(-6) cm.2 sec.-1). These values corresponded to large chloroform-buffer partition coefficients (49 and 29) measured for these two compounds. Diffusion permeability values of 3.98 and 2.18 x 10-6 cm.2 sec.-1 measured for urea and glucose corresponded to their relative insolubility in lipid, as indicated by chloroform-buffer partition coefficients of 0.05 and 0.0004, respectively. An increase in placental permeability in vitro to the weak organic acid 5,5-dimethyl, 2,4-oxazalidinedione at lower pH's corresponded to an increase in the fat-soluble nonionized fraction of this compound. These data support the concept that this tissue is most permeable to compounds of relatively small molecular size and/or with a high level of lipid solubility. The large diffusion permeability values measured for meperidine and diazepam suggest that these compounds will diffuse rapidly between mother and fetus at a maximal rate limited only by uterine blood flow.

The acidification of kinetics of artificial solutions containing buffers of different permeancy were studied in rat proximal tubules by means of stationary microperfusion techniques. Luminal pH changes were measured by antimony microelectrodes and used to calculate net rates of acidification and the approach to steady-state pH levels. For most buffer species, tracer efflux out of the lumen was compared with changes in buffer concentration as derived from calculations based on the Henderson Hasselbalch equation. Steady-state luminal pH was similar for most buffer systems studied. However, secretory hydrogen ion fluxes into the lumen were significantly higher for permeant than for less permeant buffers. The most likely explanation is that permeant buffers behave as "open" systems maintaining constant low diffusible acid levels in the lumen, whereas impermeant buffers behave as "closed" systems in which non-ionized acid levels are maintained at higher levels. A behavior consistent with this thesis was directly demonstrated for glycodiazine and, to a lesser degree, for DMO. In contrast, phosphate and creatinine behave like buffers in a "closed" system. Characteristics of proximal tubular acidification, of buffer reabsorption, and the effect thereupon of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are satisfactorily explained by an essential role of (1) hydrogen ion secretion, (2) pK differences, and (3) different permeance of the non-ionized buffer species. However, specific transport mechanisms may, in addition, also contribute to differences in transepithelial buffer movement.

The actions of a variety of polypeptide growth factors on isolated cells are thought to be initiated by stimulation of Na+-H+ exchange across the plasma membranes of the cells resulting in intracellular alkalinization. To determine whether insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) exert actions through such a mechanism, we incubated suspensions of canine renal proximal tubular segments with insulin or IGF I or with multiplication-stimulating activity (MSA)/IGF II. Changes in intracellular pH were detected by measurements of the distribution of [14C]5,5-dimethoxazolidine-2,4-dione. Incubation of segments with 10(-9) M MSA under conditions such that extracellular [Na+] greater than intracellular [Na+] effected intracellular alkalinization detectable within 1-2 min. Alkalinization was not observed under conditions where this gradient was not present. Alkalinization was not prevented by inclusion of 1 mM 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid or 1 mM ouabain in incubations, but was inhibited by amiloride. Incubation of proximal tubular segments with as little as 10(-11) M MSA effected intracellular alkalinization. Incubation with as much as 10(-6) M insulin or IGF I did not. Our findings are consistent with an action of MSA/IGF II to stimulate Na+-H+ exchange across the plasma membrane of the renal proximal tubular cell. It is possible that the stimulation represents a mechanism by which actions of IGF II are initiated in growth factor-sensitive cells.

In order to investigate the biological equivalence of dimethadione (DMO) and its precursor trimethadione (TMO), comparative pharmacokinetic studies were performed in 6 beagle dogs. DMO and TMO power was given orally at the same molar dose of 1.0 g and 1.11 g (7.7 mM), respectively. Plasma concentration of DMO and TMO was determined at an appropriate interval. Four pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated from the plasma concentration-time curves of DMO and TMO; the peak plasma concentration (Cmax), the time to the peak concentration of Cmax (Tmax), the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC), and the biological half-life (t 1/2). In the plasma concentration-time curve of DMO, Tmax after oral administration of TMO was longer than that after administration of DMO. This resulted from the presence of the conversion process of TMO to DMO in the body, because of the very short Tmax observed in the plasma concentration-time curve of TMO. Cmax, AUC and t 1/2 did not differ significantly between the drugs. The results obtained indicate that TMO is biologically equivalent to DMO in regard to plasma concentration of DMO.

1. The method of estimating the intralysosomal pH by measuring the distribution of [14C]methylamine in lysosomes isolated from the livers of Triton WR 1339-treated rats has been critically examined. 2. In lysed lysosomes, methylamine is bound to the membrane fragments, but this binding can be completely suppressed by increasing the concentration of monovalent cations in the medium. 3. In intact lysosomes, the binding of [14C]methylamine is only partly inhibited by monovalent cations at 25 degrees C. 4. THe accumulation of [14C]methylamine in intact lysosomes is progressively inhibited as the concentration of methylamine is increased. A similar inhibition of [14C]methylamine accumulation is obtained with NH4Cl. 5. Similar values for the intralysosomal pH were obtained from measurements of the distribution of methylamine, dimethylamine and trimethylamine, which are accumulated in the lysosomes, and of 5,5-dimethyloxazolidinedione-2,4, which is excluded. 6. The breakdown of endocytosed 123I-labelled bovine serum albumin by intact isolated lysosomes is much less sensitive to the pH of the medium than the breakdown of added protein by lysed lysosomes. 7. The intralysosomal pH has been estimated by comparing the rate of breakdown of endocytosed 125I-labelled albumin in intact lysosomes as a function of medium pH with that of added 125I-labelled albumin by lysed lysosomes at different pH values. The values obtained agree well with those calculated from the distribution of [14C]methylamine. 8. Methylamine and NH4Cl inhibit the breakdown of 125I-labelled albumin in intact lysosomes, particularly at high medium pH, but have no effect on the breakdown by lysed lysosomes. 9. It is concluded that a pH difference across the lysosomal membrane (more acidic inside than outside) is maintained by the presence of indiffusible negatively charged groups within the lysosomes, and by the permeation across the lysosomal membrane of protons together with permeant anions (or of OH- in exchange for anions).

The purpose of this investigation is to correlate between trimethadione (TMO) metabolism and hepatic microsomal drug-oxidizing activities in different animal species (mouse, hamster, rat and rabbit). A good correlation was obtained between the plasma concentration ratio of 5,5-dimethyl-2,4-oxazolidinedione (DMO) to TMO and relative activities of aminopyrine (r = 0.999 at 1 h, p less than 0.01; r = 0.994 at 2 h, p less then 0.01) and TMO (r = 0.988 at 1 h, p less than 0.02; r = 0.975 at 2 h, p less than 0.05) N-demethylase, and aniline (r = 0.993 at 1 h, p less than 0.01; r = 0.979 at 2 h, p less than 0.01) hydroxylase. These results indicate that the values of plasma DMO/TMO ratio determined at an appropriate time period following its administration would be reflecting the degree of hepatic drug-oxidizing capacity in various experimental animal species. These findings thus suggest that in vivo TMO metabolism would be a useful drug for predicting hepatic drug-oxidizing capacity in humans.

In the present study, using trimethadione (TMO) as an indicator substrate, we estimated pre- and post-operative differences in hepatic drug-oxidizing capacity in patients with extrahepatic cholelithiasis. Only total and direct bilirubin values were significantly higher in preoperative patients than in the controls. After operative procedures, those parameters did not show significant differences from corresponding control values. The serum dimethadione (DMO)/TMO ratios estimated 4 h after administration of 4 mg/kg of TMO. Neither pre- nor post-operative serum DMO/TMO ratios were significantly different from those in the controls. These results suggest that the hepatic drug-oxidizing capacity in patients with extrahepatic cholelithiasis remains unchanged even though the bilirubin level deviated from normal.

Acute (2-h) metabolic acidosis or alkalosis was induced in immature rats to ascertain the ability of their incompletely-developed CNS to regulate pH when challenged with perturbations in blood [H] and [HCO3]. Brain and cisternal CSF pH were determined from steady-state distribution of [14C]dimethadione, a weak organic acid. By 1 week post partum, there was a remarkable stability of pH in the cerebral cortex of animals subjected to arterial pH extremes of 7.1 and 7.5. However, CSF pH in 1-week-old animals rendered alkalotic remained 0.07-0.08 units above control due to lack of a compensatory increase in pCO2, and to a blood-CSF barrier apparently more permeable to HCO3. As arterial HCO3, i.e. [HCO3]art, was varied from about 10 to 30 mmol/l, the infants maintained [HCO3]csf only half as effectively as adults, i.e. delta [HCO3]art was 0.4 and 0.2 at 1 and greater than 4 weeks, respectively. Throughout postnatal ontogenesis, [HCO3]csf was more resistant to alteration by metabolic acidosis than by alkalosis. Overall, the results indicate that immature rats challenged with systemic acid-base loads are less capable than adults in regulating CSF pH, but they are able to maintain brain pH.

Weak acid distribution methods demonstrate that mitogenic levels of concanavalin A induce an intravesicular alkalinization of isolated thymocyte membrane vesicles. Experiments with chemical reagents that crosslink the high affinity concanavalin A receptor and extensive correlation with known cellular events suggest that a "membrane Bohr effect" may participate in the initiation of mitogenesis.

The magnitudes of the electrical potential and proton gradient in Methanospirillum hungatei GP1 and Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum were determined. No delta pH (inside alkaline) could be demonstrated in either organism suspended in growth media at normal growth pH values by the distribution of 5,5-dimethyl-2,4-oxazolidinedione (DMO), butyrate, propionate, or methylamine. The internal pH, estimated to be approximately 6.7 under our growth conditions, was not constant, but varied as the external pH was adjusted. However, the internal pH was always more neutral than the external pH (except at pH 6.7 where the two were equal). The distribution of triphenylmethylphosphonium cation, in the presence of tetraphenylboron anion, gave estimates of 119 and 79 mV (interior negative) for the electrical potentials of the thermophile and mesophile, respectively, for cells suspended in a phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The uptake of 86Rb+, in the presence of valinomycin, gave similar results for M. thermoautotrophicum, ranging from 143 mV (at pH 5.8) to 120 mV (at pH 8.0). Electrical potentials compared to the size of the respective K+ gradients, maintained between the cytoplasm and growth medium. The results are interpreted in terms of proton efflux and monovalent cation antiport activities at the cytoplasmic membrane, with possible proton pumping at the site of internal vesicles.

The light-dependent uptake of triphenylmethylphosphonium (TPMP+) and of 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione (DMO) by starved purple cells of Halobacterium halobium was investigated. DMO uptake was used to calculate the pH difference (deltapH) across the membrane, and TPMP+ was used as an index of the electrical potential difference, deltapsi. Under most conditions, both in the light and in the dark, the cells are more alkaline than the medium. In the light at pH 6.6, deltapH amounts to 0.6-0.8 pH unit. Its value can be increased to 1.5-2.0 by either incubating the cells with TPMP+ (10(-3) M) or at low external pH (5.5). --deltapH can be lowered by uncoupler or by nigericin. The TPMP+ uptake by the cells indicates a large deltapsi across the membrane, negative inside. It was estimated that in the light, at pH 6.6, deltapsi might reach a value of about 100 mV and that consequently the electrical equivalent of the proton electrochemical potential difference, deltamuH+/F, amounts under these conditions to about 140 mV. The effects of different ionophores on the light-drive proton extrusion by the cells were in agreement with the effects of these compounds on --deltapH.

A method to determine intracellular distribution of ions and metabolites under conditions of low oxygen concentration was developed. The technique involves rapid digitonin fractionation and addition of cyanide to inhibit reoxygenation. Applicability of the procedure was examined by studying the distribution of the lipophilic ion triphenylmethylphosphonium, the weak acid 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione, and adenine nucleotides.

We developed a technique for the simultaneous autoradiographic determination of local cerebral pH (LCpH) using [14C]dimethyloxazolidinedione ([14C]DMO) with either local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) using [14C]deoxyglucose ([14C]DG) or local CBF (LCBF) using [14C]iodoantipyrine ([14C]IAP). The method evolved from the observation that [14C]DMO is "unstable," which is shown here to be due to sublimation of the compound. Thus, the technique consists of administering to rats [14C]DMO followed by either [14C]DG or [14C]IAP. The first autoradiographic film that results contains both labeled compounds. The brain sections are then exposed in a fume hood until the complete disappearance of [14C]DMO, which usually required 10 days. The second film thus contains only the non-DMO isotope administered. Blood levels of the two isotopes are calculated from the total concentrations of isotope and the rate of decline of [14C]DMO in blood. This information is then used to determine cerebral pH and the other cerebral function of interest. Using this double-label technique in normal rats, LCpH, LCGU, and LCBF can be determined with the same accuracy as with single-label techniques. In rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion, this technique yielded LCpH and LCBF values 4 h after occlusion that were not statistically different from those obtained by separate determinations. Thus, interactions between LCpH and either LCBF or LCGU can be studied by this technique in normal and pathological conditions.

The pancreatic excretion test with a weak acid of 5, 5-dimethyl-2,4-oxazolidinedione (DMO) was performed concomitantly with the pancreozymin-secretin test in 28 patients with pancreatolithiasis, 14 patients with pancreatic carcinoma, and 67 healthy subjects. The DMO concentration and total output of duodenal content after secretin stimulation, when corrected to the simultaneously determined plasma DMO concentration, were significantly reduced in the patients. While the pancreozymin-secretin test was abnormal in 96% of patients with pancreatolithiasis and in 86% of those with pancreatic carcinoma, the pancreatic DMO excretion test gave abnormal results in 100% of the patients. This suggests that the new test may well become effective in detecting early stages of pancreatic disease including carcinoma and chronic pancreatitis.

The relationship between sodium transport and the intra- and extracellular pH was examined employing dog kidney epithelial cells (MDCK). Increases in the medium pH led to a stimulation of 22Na+ influx and an inhibition of efflux. Kinetic analysis of the pH effects showed that the apparent Km values for Na+ were substantially altered (28 mM at pH 9 versus 95 mM at pH 6), indicating that H+ and Na+ ions competed for the extracellular binding sites of the transport system. Addition to the medium of organic acids, such as acetate and isobutyrate, led to an enhancement of the initial rate of 22Na+ uptake into sodium-depleted cells and to an induction of dome formation by monolayer cultures. [14C]Dimethyloxazolidinedione (DMO) was used to estimate the pH gradient across the cell membrane. [14C] DMO uptake in the presence of the respiratory chain inhibitor, antimycin, was influenced by the extracellular pH as well as by the addition of sodium to the medium. Sodium and lithium, but not potassium, were capable of increasing the cellular [14C]DMO concentration by an amiloride-sensitive mechanism. These increases were largely unaltered when valinomycin and 3.5 mM K+ were present in the uptake buffer, a condition designed to diminish any Na+-induced changes in the membrane potential. The results are consistent with the existence of a Na+-H+ antiport system in MDCK cells. The significance of this system is discussed.

Pancreatic excretion of 5,5-dimethyl-2,4-oxazolidinedione (DMO) was studied in 25 normal subjects using the technique of the traditional pancreatic secretory test. The pancreozymin-secretin test was performed 4 days after the oral administration of trimethadione (3,5,5-trimethyl-2,4-oxazolidinedione, the precursor of DMO) for 3 consecutive days. When a dose of 1 unit/kg of pancreozymin was administered intravenously, both DMO concentration and output of a 10-min fractional specimen were rapidly increased and then decreased gradually. When a dose of 1 unit/kg of secretin was injected 30 min after pancreozymin, DMO concentration in duodenal aspirate showed no significant alteration, while DMO output of the aspirate was remarkably increased and then diminished in parallel to flow rate. DMO concentration in plasma varied widely from subject to subject, but was fairly constant during the course of the test in the same subject. Total DMO output in the postpancreozymin 30-min and postsecretin 60-min periods was linearly related to plasma DMO concentration. The output of DMO, when expressed as the output at a level of 10 mg/100 ml of plasma DMO, was linearly related to secretory volume and bicarbonate and amylase outputs in the postsecretin period. These results led to the conclusion that the human pancreas was capable of excreting a week organic acid of DMO with a molecular weight of 129.1 and that the excretion of DMO in normal subjects was a funciton of two factors: plasma DMO concentration and pancreatic secretory volume.

No-carrier-added [2-11 C]5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione (DMO) has been prepared rapidly and in good radiochemical yield. The synthesis involves in situ conversion of phosgene to diethyl carbonate which reacts with 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionamide to yield labeled DMO. HPLC purification provided up to 1.85 GBq (50 mCi) of pure [11C]-DMO for injection. The product's in vivo distribution was examined in mice and rabbits. The results are encouraging for further application to in vivo measurement of intracellular pH using positron tomography.

Studies on the intestinal transport of weak acids suggest that the subepithelial tissues exhibit a modest, but significant, ability to discriminate between the ionized and nonionized forms. This suggestion has been tested directly in experiments using an in vitro preparation of rat small intestine from which the epithelial cells were removed, but in which the structural and functional integrity of the subepithelial tissues was maintained. Studies on the effects of potential difference on the fluxes of weak acids in this preparation showed that the ratio of permeabilities for the ionized and nonionized species (Pi/Pni) was indeed less than one, and of a magnitude comparable to the value suggested by analysis of transport in the intact tissue. (Pi/Pni) for the subepithelial tissue decreased as pH was increased, and the discriminatory properties of the tissue were abolished [(Pi/Pni)=1] on treatment with the cationic macromolecule polyethyleneimine (PEI). These observations suggested that the discriminatory properties of the subepithelial tissues were determined by fixed anionic sites, and morphological studies with PEI indicated that such sites were concentrated in the region of the basement membrane.

We previously reported that changes in ileal net Na absorption correlated with arterial pH, changes in net HCO3 secretion correlated with the plasma HCO3 concentration, and changes in net Cl absorption correlated with arterial CO2 partial pressure (PCO2) during the systemic acid-base disorders. To determine whether changes in intracellular pH (pHi) and HCO3 concentration [( HCO3]i) mediated these effects, we measured pHi and calculated [HCO3]i in the distal ileal mucosa of anesthetized, mechanically ventilated Sprague-Dawley rats using 5,5-[14C]dimethyloxazolidine-2,4,-dione and [3H]inulin. Rats were studied during normocapnia, acute respiratory acidosis, and alkalosis, and uncompensated and pH-compensated acute metabolic acidosis and alkalosis. When animals in all groups were considered, mucosal pHi was not altered, but there were strong correlations between mucosal [HCO3]i and both arterial PCO2 (r = 0.97) and [HCO3] (r = 0.61). When we considered the rates of ileal electrolyte transport that characterized these acid-base disorders [A. N. Charney and L.P. Haskell, Am. J. Physiol. 245 (Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. 8): G230-G235, 1983], we found strong correlations between mucosal [HCO3]i and both net Cl absorption (r = 0.88) and net HCO3 secretion (r = 0.82). These findings suggest that the systemic acid-base disorders do not affect ileal mucosal pHi but do alter mucosal [HCO3]i as a consequence of altered arterial PCO2 and [HCO3]. The effects of these disorders on ileal net Cl absorption and HCO3 secretion may be mediated by changes in [HCO3]i. Arterial pH does not appear to alter ileal Na absorption through changes in the mucosal acid-base milieu.

The proton motive force and its electrical and chemical components were determined in Clostridium acetobutylicum, grown in a phosphate-limited chemostat, using [14C]dimethyloxazolidinedione and [14C]benzoic acid as transmembrane pH gradient (delta pH) probes and [14C]triphenylmethylphosphonium as a membrane potential (delta psi) indicator. The cells maintained an internal-alkaline pH gradient of approximately 0.2 at pH 6.5 and 1.5 at pH 4.5. The delta pH was essentially constant between pH 6.5 and 5.5 but increased considerably at lower extracellular pH values down to 4.5. Hence, the intracellular pH fell from 6.7 to 6.0 as the external pH was lowered from 6.5 to 5.5 but did not decrease further when the external pH was decreased to 4.5. The transmembrane electrical potential decreased as the external pH decreased. At pH 6.5, delta psi was approximately -90 mV, whereas no negative delta psi was detectable at pH 4.5. The proton motive force was calculated to be -106 mV at pH 6.5 and -102 mV at pH 4.5. The ability to maintain a high internal pH at a low extracellular pH suggests that C. acetobutylicum has an efficient deacidification mechanism which expresses itself through the production of neutral solvents.

To characterize the effect of L-norepinephrine on intracellular pH (pHi) in parotid acinar cells, were measured the accumulation of 14C-labelled 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione ([14C]DMO), in slices of parotid glands from Sprague-Dawley rats. L-Norepinephrine enhanced the [14C]DMO uptake in a concentration-dependent manner with half-maximal effect at about 1 microM and maximum effect at about 1 mM. The half-maximal effect corresponded to an increase in pHi by 0.08 units and was reduced by 2 microM L-propranolol (beta-adrenoceptor antagonist), but was not affected by 2 microM phentolamine (alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist). The results suggest that L-norepinephrine increases intracellular pH in rat parotid acini and that this effect may be mediated by beta-adrenoceptor stimulation.

The effects of acclimation temperature and acute temperature changes on the intracellular pH (pHi) of hepatocytes isolated from the American eel, Anguilla rostrata, were studied by the measurement of the distribution ratio of dimethyloxizolidinedione (DMO). Varying the concentration of DMO (10(-7) to 10(-4) M) did not affect estimates of pHi, indicating that DMO acts as an ideal pHi probe in eel hepatocytes. In vitro studies yielded values of liver cell pHi identical to those previously measured in vivo (in vitro pHi = 7.556 +/- 0.010; in vivo pHi = 7.570 +/- 0.049 at 20 degrees C); hepatocyte pHi varied inversely with acclimation temperature (5-20 degrees C) in a manner consistent with alphastat regulation (delta pH/delta T = -0.0182 +/- 0.021). During acute temperature increases (5-20 degrees C) and decreases (20-5 degrees C) hepatocytes regulated pHi to the appropriate (acclimated) value within 30-45 min posttransfer under conditions of constant medium pH (pHe). The effects of medium pH were also studied, and although patterns of pHi regulation differed between 5 and 20 degrees C cells, a pHi difference consistent with alphastat regulation was maintained between 5 and 20 degrees C cells over the pHe range 7.8-8.3.

To characterize the effect of glucose on the intracellular pH (pHi) of pancreatic islet cells, we measured the accumulation of 14C-labelled 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione ( [14C]DMO) in beta-cell-rich islets from ob/ob mice. D-Glucose (20 mM) stimulated insulin release and enhanced the [14C]DMO equilibrium uptake corresponding to an increase of pHi by about 0.15 unit. The glucose effect on DMO uptake was concentration-dependent, with half-maximal effect at about 4 mM-glucose and maximum effect at about 10 mM-glucose. It was inhibited by 20 mM-mannoheptulose and potentiated by 4 mM-L-5-hydroxytryptophan, but not affected by 2 mM-theophylline. Mannoheptulose is an inhibitor and L-5-hydroxytryptophan and theophylline are potentiators of glucose-stimulated insulin release. The glucose-induced increase in pHi appeared rapidly (7 min) and persisted for at least 30 min and it was observed both in bicarbonate/CO2-buffered and in Hepes [4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazine-ethanesulphonic acid]-buffered media. Addition of extracellular bicarbonate buffer lowered the pHi, but did not affect basal insulin release, whereas 5 mM-NH4+ increased pHi and induced a 4-fold increase of basal insulin release. We conclude that, in contrast with previous assumptions, glucose increases intracellular pH in the islet cells. This effect may be coupled to the glucose metabolism and associated with triggering of insulin release.

The characterization of tissue acid-base status related to the penumbral zone of increased glucose consumption surrounding a focal cerebral ischemic lesion may suggest therapeutic techniques to maximize tissue survivability from stoke. We measured local cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (1 CMRglc) and an index of brain tissue pH (pHt) concurrently and characterized their interaction in a model of focal cerebral ischemia in rats in a double-label autoradiographic study, using [14C]2-deoxyglucose and [14C]dimethyloxazolidinedione. Computer-assisted digitization and analysis permitted the simultaneous quantification of the two variables on a pixel-by-pixel basis in the same brain slices. Hemispheres ipsilateral to intravascular tamponade-induced middle cerebral artery occlusion showed areas of normal, depressed, and elevated glucose metabolic rate (as defined by an interhemispheric asymmetry index) after 2 hr of ischemia. Regions of increased 1 CMRglc showed moderate acidosis (6.87 +/- 0.05), while regions of normal glucose metabolic rate showed normal pHt (pH +/- SD = 6.98 +/- 0.05) and regions of decreased 1 CMRglc showed severe acidosis (6.69 +/- 0.11). A repeated-measures analysis of variance found these values to differ from each other at the P less than 0.0005 significance level. The finding of moderate acidosis coupled with increased 1 CRMglc in the metabolic penumbra suggests that the excess protons may result from the anaerobic dissociation of ATP synthesis and hydrolysis.

The metabolism and excretion of trimethadione (TMO) following an oral dose of 4 mg/kg has been examined in patients with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and renal dysfunction. Biliary excretion as the total amount of TMO and its metabolite, dimethadione (DMO) was 2.0% of the dose during 0 to 48 h after TMO administration in patients with PTBD. Total urinary excretion (0-48 h) was 2.8% and 3.0% of the dose in healthy volunteers and patients with renal dysfunction, respectively. The serum DMO/TMO ratio at 4 h after oral dosing in patients of PTBD and renal dysfunction was not significantly changed in comparison with the ratio reported previously in healthy volunteers. The elimination half-life of TMO was also not altered in patients with PTBD in comparison with that reported previously in volunteers. These results suggest that metabolism and urinary and biliary excretion of TMO are not changed in patients with PTBD and renal dysfunction.

We have examined the interaction of NH4+ and Li+ with the Na+-H+ exchanger in rabbit renal microvillus membrane vesicles. Alkalinization of the intravesicular space, monitored with [14C]DMO uptake by flow dialysis, resulted from the addition of Cl- salts of Na+, Li+, or NH4+ to the external medium. The 22Na+ uptake rate, assayed by a rapid filtration technique, was saturable with respect to external Na+ concentration (KT 6 mM Na+) and was competitively inhibited by external Li+ (Ki 1.9 mM) and NH4+ (Ki 4.3 mM). Efflux by 22Na+ from vesicles preloaded with Na+ was stimulated by external Na+ and NH4+ but inhibited by external Li+. We conclude that the renal microvillus membrane Na+-H+ exchanger has affinity for Li+ and NH4+ and can mediate the exchange not only of Na+ for H+ but also of Na+ for Na+, Na+ for Nh4+, Li+ for H+, possibly NH4+ for H+, and perhaps Li+ for Na+. The physiological significance of exchange modes other than Na+-H+ exchange is not certain at present, but Na+-NH4+ exchange could play a role in the proximal tubular acidification process.

1. A recently developed technique for the measurement of plasma-membrane and mitochondrial-membrane potentials in intact cells by using the distribution of 86Rb+ and [3H]methyltriphenylphosphonium+ has enabled us to characterize a novel insulin effect on fat-cell mitochondria. For control cells the plasma-membrane and mitochondrial-membrane potentials were 75 mV and 152 mV respectively. Insulin (10 mu units/ml) caused a 9 mV hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane and a 19 mV depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane. 2. The insulin-dependent mitochondrial depolarization was observed at physiological insulin concentrations (10 mu units/ml) and was apparent when the cells metabolized a wide variety of substrates. 3. Evidence from the uptake of the weak acid 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione by fat-cells was interpreted as indicating that the mitochondrial pH gradient was increased by insulin. 4. Insulin alters the balance between the electrical and pH-gradient components that form the mitochondrial protonmotive force. A model is proposed.

The time course of the intracellular pH (pHi) of barnacle muscle fibers was followed using microelectrodes while the fibers were exposed to 15 mM of the weak acid 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione (DMO) at pH 6.5. The rapid initial fall in pHi was used to determine the membrane permeability to the DMO molecule, while the much slower fall during the subsequent plateau phase yielded the permeability to the DMO ion. This experimental approach and the mathematical treatment of the data can be used to obtain the membrane permeabilities to other weak acids or bases. We found values of 1.9 X 10(-4) cm/s for the permeability to the DMO molecule and 1.5 X 10(-7) cm/s for the permeability to the ion, assuming the fiber to be a cylinder. Thus the permeability of the neutral form is about 10(3) times that of the ionized form. At commonly encountered conditions of pHi = 7.3, outside pH = 7.5, and membrane potential = -52 mV, this permeability ratio introduces an error of only -0.01 to -0.02 into the determination of pHi based on the distribution of DMO.

The volume of the lysosomal compartment in cultured human skin fibroblasts was estimated from the distribution between the cells and the medium of tracer amounts of labelled methylamine and chloroquine, which accumulate in the lysosomes, 2,2-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione, which accumulates in the soluble cytoplasmic compartment relative to the lysosomes, and sucrose, which is excluded by the cells. In a foetal fibroblast line, the fractional volume of the lysosomal compartment was 0.044 +/- 0.007 (n = 8). In fibroblasts from a patient with the I-cell disease, the fractional volume was 0.15. The fractional volume of the lysosomal compartment was used to calculate the intralysosomal pH from the accumulation of the weak bases in the cells. The mean value obtained was 5.29 +/- 0.04 (n = 8). In fibroblasts incubated with various concentrations of chloroquine, the fractional volume of the lysosomal compartment and the accumulation of chloroquine in the cells were used to calculate the concentration of chloroquine in the lysosomes. The intralysosomal concentration increased from 3 to 114 mM as the extracellular concentration increased from 1 to 100 microM. Concomitantly, the intralysosomal pH increased from 5.3 in the absence of chloroquine to 5.9 in the presence of 100 microM chloroquine. A similar increase in intralysosomal pH could be calculated in fibroblasts incubated with different concentrations of ammonia.

To determine whether exposure of renal proximal tubular cells to tumor-promoting phorbol esters results in intracellular alkalinization, we incubated suspensions of proximal tubular segments isolated from dog kidney with these compounds. Changes in intracellular pH were detected by measurements of the distribution of [14C]5,5-dimethoxazolidine-2-4-dione (DMO). Incubations of segments with 10(-6) M of the tumor-promoting phorbol esters phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), under conditions such that extracellular [Na+] greater than intracellular [Na+], effected intracellular alkalinization detectable within 1-2 min. Incubation with the inactive phorbol ester 4 alpha-phorbol did not. Incubation with as little as 10(-10) M phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate effected intracellular alkalinization. Incubation with 10(-12) M phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate did not. Alkalinization was not observed under conditions such that extracellular [Na+] = intracellular [Na+]. Alkalinization could be prevented by inclusion of 10(-3) M amiloride in incubations. Our findings are consistent with an action of tumor-promoting phorbol esters to stimulate Na+-H+ exchange across the plasma membrane of the renal proximal tubular cell. It is possible that the stimulation reflects a mechanism by which hormones and/or growth factors exert actions in proximal tubule.