RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Transport of methotrexate by the in vitro isolated rabbit proximal tubule. JF Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO J Pharmacol Exp Ther FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 688 OP 695 VO 250 IS 2 A1 K Besseghir A1 D Mosig A1 F Roch-Ramel YR 1989 UL http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/250/2/688.abstract AB The tubular transport of [3H]methotrexate was studied in isolated nonperfused and perfused superficial proximal tubular segments of rabbit kidneys. Reabsorption represented only 5% of perfused methotrexate, and appeared to be mostly of passive nature inasmuch as it was not modified by reducing the temperature or by ouabain. Cellular accumulation in nonperfused segments and secretion in perfused tubules were highest in the S2 segment and lower in the S3 and S1 segments. Secretion against a bath-to-lumen concentration gradient was observed only in S2 segments (with a maximum methotrexate secretory rate of 478 +/- 48 fmol/mm.min and an apparent Km of transport of 363 +/- 32 microM), and was inhibited by probenecid and folate. The low capacity for methotrexate secretion may be explained by a low capacity of transport across the basolateral membrane of the proximal cell as methotrexate was accumulated only to a low extent in nonperfused tubules (tissue water to medium concentration ratio of 8.2 +/- 1 in S2 segments). During secretion a small amount of methotrexate was metabolized; the nature of the metabolite(s) remains to be defined.