Kidney Disorders Flashcards
What are the main functions of the kidney?
- Excretory
- Endocrine (renin, prostaglandins, kinins, erythropoeitin)
- Metabolic (vit D activ., gluconeogenesis, insulin metabolism)
What are the excretory functions of the kidney?
- Regulate fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance
- Remove metabolic waste products & foreign chemicals from blood for urinary excretion
What are the components of renal excretion?
- Filtration
- Reabsorption
- Secretion
What is glomerular filtration?
Blood is filtered by hydrostatic pressure through the capillaries that form the glomerulus into the Bowman capsule
This process results in the formation of the filtrate
What is the composition of filtrate?
Composed mainly of fluids, electrolytes, small molecules
ex. Glucose, amino acids, water, urea, creatinine
Does not include proteins and large molecules
What substances are reabsorbed?
Water and solutes including:
- NaCl, K+, HCO3-, urea, amino acids, glucose
What substances are secreted by the kidneys?
H+, K+, uric acid, certain drugs
What are the two secretion mechanisms?
- Active transport mechanism
- Diffusion across the membranes
What are the mechanisms of acid-base balance in the body?
- Lungs (alveolar ventilation of CO2)
- Kidneys (H+ excretion, bicarbonate reabsorption, phsophate and amonia buffer systems)
What do the kidneys do in acidosis?
Kidneys reabsorb all filtered bicarbonate and produces new bicarbonate
What doe the kidneys do in alkalosis?
Kidneys excrete bicarbonate to restore H+ concentration to normal
What are the endocrine functions of the kidney?
- Blood pressure control (renins, ADH, atrial natriuretic peptide)
- RBC production (erythropoeitin)
What is the main mechanism by which the kidneys control blood pressure?
Renin is released from juxtaglomerular cells in response to decreased blood pressure
Indirectly, renin leads to:
- vasoconstriction
- Na+ and water retention
What is the effect of the hormone, Angiotenisin II?
Evokes vasoconstriction of the efferent arteriole, to increase glomerular hydrostatic pressure (increased blood volume leaving circulation into the nephron tubules, which reduces overall blood volume)
When are prostaglandins released by the kidneys?
In response to decreased blood flow
What is the effect of prostaglandins on the kidneys?
Causes vasodilation of the afferent arteriole, which helps improve perfusion (increased GFR and solute excretion)
NSAIDs inhibit this mechanism, this is why they are cautioned in patients with decreased kidney function
What is the role of the aldosterone in kidney function?
Stimulate tubule reabsorption of Na+, whuch ultimately causes water retention
Indirectly also increases K+ and H+ excretion
What is the trigger for the release of antidiuretic hormone?
In respose to increased blood Na+ levels or low blood volume
What is the role of antidiuretic hormone in kidney function?
Increase water permeability of the collecting ducts, promoting water reabsorption (increased blood volume)
What is the trigger for the release of atrial natriuretic peptide?
In response to increased stretch of the heart muscle (indicative of fluid overload and is elevated in heart failure)
What is the role of atrial natriuretic peptide in kidney function?
Opposes the actions of RAAS by causing vasodilation and increased renal excretion of sodium (directly oppose action of aldosterone)
What is the trigger for the release of erythropoetin?
Produced by the kidneys in response to decreased blood oxygen levels due to conditions like anemia and hypoxia
What is the role of erythropoetin?
This hormone stimulates production of RBCs (increase O2 carrying capacity of the blood)
What are the metabolic functions of the kidneys?
- Metabolism of endogenous compounds
- Vitamin D activation
- Gluconeogenesis (from amino acids, minimal process)