Effect of Ethanol on $Na^+-P_i$ Uptake in Opossum Kidney Cells: Role of Membrane Fluidization and Reactive Oxygen Species

This study was undertaken to examine the effect of ethanol on $Na^+ -dependent$ phosphate $(Na^+-P_i)$ uptake in opossum kidney (OK) cells, an established renal proximal tubular cell line. Ethanol inhibited ^Na^+-dependent$ component of phosphate uptake in a dose-dependent manner with $I_{50}$ of 8.4%, but it did not affect $Na^+-independent$ component. Similarly, ethanol inhibited $Na^+-dependent$ uptakes of glucose and amino acids (AIB, glycine, alanine, and leucine). Microsomal $Na^+-K^+-ATPase$ activity was not significantly altered when cells were treated with 8% ethanol. Kinetic analysis showed that ethanol increased $K_m$ without a change in $V_{max}$ of $Na^+-P_i$ uptake. Inhibitory effect of n-alcohols on $Na^+-P_i$ uptake was dependent on the length of the hydrocarbon chain, and it resulted from the binding of one molecule of alcohol, as indicated by the Hill coefficient (n) of 0.8-1.04. Catalase significantly prevented the inhibition, but superoxide dismutase and hydroxyl radical scavengers did not alter the ethanol effect. A potent antioxidant DPPD and iron chelators did not prevent the inhibition. Pyrazole, an inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase, did not attenuate ethanol-induced inhibition of $Na^+-P_i$ uptake, but it prevented ethanol-induced cell death. These results suggest that ethanol may inhibit $Na^+-P_i$ uptake through a direct action on the carrier protein, although the transport system is affected by alterations in the lipid environment of the membrane.