9 - Renal Endocrine Function, Diuretics, and Micturition Flashcards
What role does the kidney play in endocrine function?
It’s important in the production of Vitamin D3, erythropoietin, and renin.
How do the kidneys produce active Vitamin D? What is the purpose of this?
25-dihydroxy D3 is hydroxylated to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitrol) in the proximal tubules.
Calcitrol is essential for calcium deposition in bone and reabsorptoin by the GI tract.
When is PTH stimulated? What is its action in the kidneys?
By low calcium.
Enhances thick ascending loop and distal tubular Ca reabsorption (paracellular).
What happens to 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin?
It’s converted to cholecalciferol by UV rays.
How is erythropoietin (EPO) made before and after birth?
Mainly by hepatocytes during fetal stage.
After birth, 80-90% of EPO originates from peritubular fibroblast-like cells in the cortex.
What stimulates EPO production?
Tissue hypoxia mainly.
EPO production increases exponentially with decreased blood hemoglobin concentration.
What requires EPO? What happens when there is a lack of EPO? How it this treated?
RBC production.
Lack of EPO causes anemia associated with chronic renal failure.
Recombinant EPO used for treatment.
What are five factors that stimulate EPO production? What do they all have in common?
- Low blood volume
- Anemia
- Low Hb
- Poor blood flow
- Pulmonary disease
All factors that decrease tissue oxygenation.
How is EPO production stimulated?
Through stimulation of hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow to develop into RBCs.
What is the function of renin? Where is it found?
Enzyme involved in the production of the vasoconstrictor and ANP AngII.
Renin is found in JG cells in the wall of the afferent arteriole.
What three things stimulate renin release?
- Increase renal sympathetic nerve stimulation
- Decreased delivery of NaCl to the macula densa
- Decreased renal perfusion pressure
In general terms, what occurs in renal gluconeogenesis? Where does this occur in the nephron?
Synthesis of glucose from amino acids and lactate in the proximal tubule cells.
Under normal conditions this is a minor function.
What happens to renal gluconeogenesis during prolonged fasting?
It becomes a major source of blood glucose, producing about 1/5 as much glucose as the liver.
What is the major amino acid substrate used for renal gluconeogenesis? What is a byproduct of this?
Glutamine.
Major byproduct is NH4+, which is important in renal acid secretion.
What effect does diuretic therapy have? What is the body’s response to this?
There is increased excretion of sodium and water, leading to a contraction of ECF volume.
Reduction of ECFV sensed by the body and mechanisms to conserve Na and water are activated.
This leads to a new steady-state where intake=output but at a new level of ECFV.
What is the function of osmotic diuretics? Where do these have the greatest effect? What is their effect?
Alter reabsorption of solute and water by altering osmotic driving forcees along nephron.
Greatest effect in high perm segments (PT and thick ascending).
Maximal effect is increased sodium excretion to 10% of filtered load.
What is an example of an exogenous osmotic diuretic? What is an example of two endogenous osmotic diuretics?
Mannitol, a sugar freely filtered, not reabsorbed, and trapped in the tubular lumen.
Glucose can act as one in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, and urea can act as one during renal failure.
What are side effects of osmotic diuretics?
Increased potassium excretion, increased bicarb excretion, and increased Ca excretion.
What is the function of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors? Where does it have its greatest effect? What is its effect?
Inhibit CA and limit the activity of Na/H exchanger.
Major site of action is the PT. (will effect other segments too just not as much).
Increase sodium excretion to ~5-10% of filtered load.
What is a commonly used CA inhibitor? What are side effects that can occur?
Acetazolamide.
Side effects: Increased potassium excretion, increased bicarb excretion, increased calcium excretion.
What is the function of loop diuretics? Where do they have their effect? What is their effect?
Inhibit sodium reabsorption in the thick ascending loop by blocking Na/K/2CL transporter.
They also impair ability of kidney to concentrate or dilute urine.
Acutely increase sodium excretion up to 20% of the filtered load.
What are some commonly used loop diuretics?
Bumetanide, furosemide, and ethacrynic acid.
What are side effects of loop diuretics?
Increase potassium excretion, increased calcium and magnesium excretion, and an impaired urinary concentrating and diluting ability.