Intro To Renal Physiology Flashcards
Functions of kidney as endocrine organ
. Production of EPO from peritubular fibroblast-like cells in cortical interstitium
. Regulation of calcitriol (1,25-dehydroxy vit. D3) in prox. Tubule cells via activity of 1alpha-hydrooxylase
EPO function
. Regulates process of differentiation of uncommitted stem cells toward erythrocyte lineage
1alpha-hydroxylase
. Under control of PTH and plasma phosphate
. Net effect is to inc. plasma Ca and P
Calcitriol function
. Regulates gut Ca and P absorption
. Secondary effects in bone in kidney
How kidney and CV systems are interdependent
. Kidney affects ECF volume which affects CO
. Kidney is controlled by CO and peripheral resistance
Nephron
. Functional unit of kidney
. Each kidney has 1.2 million
. Composed of glomerulus/Bowman’s capsule and the tubule
Structure of tubule
. Prox tubule
. Loop of Henle (descending and ascending limbs)
. Distal tubule
. Collection duct system
Cortical and juxtamedullary nephrons
. All glomeruli lie in cortex
. Cortical nephrons: loop of Henle dip is into outer medulla
. Juxtamedullary nephron: loop of Henle dips deep into the inner medulla
Segments of tubule
. Prox convoluted tubule (PCT) . Prox straight tubule (PST) . Thin descending limb (TL) . Thick ascending limb (TAL) . Distal convoluted tubule (DCT) . Connecting tubule (CNT) . Collecting duct (cortical, outer medullary, and inner medullary portions)
Renal circulation
. Renal a. -> afferent arteriole ->glomerular capillaries -> efferent arteriole -> peritubular capillaries (cortical and medullary loops/vasa recta) -> renal vein
Glomerulus
. Tuft of capillaries supplied by afferent arteriole and drained by efferent arteriole
. Glomerulus is ticked into closed end of nephron (Bowman’s capsule)
. Space btw capillaries and the start of the tubule (Bowman’s space)
. Collects filtrate from capillaries
Juxtaglomerular apparatus
. Where TAL passes through angle formed by afferent and efferent arterioles of nephron
. Components: macula densa, renin producing cells (JG cells) of afferent arteriole, extraglomerular mesangial cells
. Site of renin release
Macula densa
. Specialized cells in TAL
. Respond to changes in tubular flow of NaCl
. Sends signals to afferent arteriole that affect blood flow and filtration
. Communicate to glomerular arteriole i tubuloglomerular feedback
Extraglomerular mesangial cells
. Participate in transmitting info from macula densa to afferent and efferent arterioles
Control of renin release
. Renal sympathetic nn.: inc. signaling inc. renin
. Pressure in renal afferent aa.: mechanical (renal baroreceptor), Lou pressure inc. renin, high pressure dec. it
. Signals from macula densa:
SNS innervation locations in renal system
. Arteries, afferent and efferent arterioles: vasoconstriction from smooth mm. Constriction
. Juxtaglomerular apparatus: stimulates release of renin from granular cells of afferent and efferent arterioles
. Renal tubules: enhances Na reabsorption via alpha-adrenergic receptors
Mesangium
. Mesangial cells and mesangial ECM
. Mesangial cells surround capillaries, provide structural support, secrete prostaglandins and cytokines and are phagocytic
. Deposition of immune complexes triggers mesangial cell inflammatory response tha can lead to glomerular scarring and loss of glomerular function (eventually lead to renal failure)
Proteinuria
. Protein in urine
. Can be marker of systemic endothelial dysfunction
. Promotes tubular and interstitial inflammation, ischemia, fibrosis
. Early sign of renal dysfunction
.excessive loss of plasma protein in urine can cause hypoalbuminemia promoting peripheral edema that alters acid/base balance and circulating levels of hormones