This study was carried out to determine effect of acute renal ischemia on transport function of organic cation, tetraethylammonium (TEA), in rabbit kidney proximal tubule. Clamping of the renal artery for 30 and 60 min produced a polyuria which was accompanied by an increase in Na⁺ excretion. The capacity of kidney cortical slices to accumulate TEA was increased after 30 and 60 min of ischemia. When blood flow was restored for 30 min after 30 and 60 min of ischemia, the augmented TEA uptake was recovered to the control values. Oxygen consumption of cortical slices was stimulated after 30 min of ischemia, whereas it was not altered by 60 min of ischemia. A 90-min ischemia produced a significant inhibition of TEA uptake and tissue oxygen consumption. These results suggest that the basolateral transport system for organic cation persists after ischemic periods of 60 min despite evidence that tubular reabsorptive mechanism of Na⁺ and water is markedly impaired. This may indicate that the active secretory systems of proximal tubule are more resistant to ischemic injury than the reabsorptive systems.