MSAP Renal Physiology Notes Flashcards
Basic Functions of the kidneys
Functions:
Excretory (producing urine), regulatory (controlling BP and filtering/cleaning the blood), and endocrine (synthesizing and secreting hormones)
- The body’s “washing” machine
- Total renal blood flow about 25% of cardiac output (1800 L/day or 1.25 L/min)
- Filters about 180L/day; reabsorbs >99% of plasma ultra filtrate to make urine
Nephron
Nephron is the functional unit of the kidney (millions)
Urine is formed in the nephron–> urine drains in the minor calyces–>major calyces–> renal pelvis–> ureter
Proximal and Distal convoluted areas are in the cortical area
Loop of henle in the medullary area
More than one nephron is able to dump into one collecting duct
Juxtamedullary Nephron
Dilute and concentrate urine; more important for urine production
Bowman’s capsule is closer to medullary border
Extend fully into inner medullary area
All three areas of the loop of henle (descending, thin ascending, thick ascending)
Cortical Nephron
more common
Bowman’s capsule is higher up in the cortex
No thin ascending limp
Unable to fully dilute/ filter urine
Nephron associated vasculature
Afferent artery: from renal artery to the golumeral capillaries (network that is responsible for filtration)
Efferent artery: carries blood away from glomerular capillaries ; becomes the peritubular capillary network after is starts to wrap around the proximal and distal convoluted tubules (blood supply for the cortical portion of the nephron)
Vasa Recta- capillaries close to the Juxtamedullary nephrons only (hairpins close to think/thick ascending and thin descending limps of loop of Henle)
Filtration (factors that affect filtration)
2 components determine flux across glomerulus: 1) permeability and 2) glomerular filtration pressure
- Permeability: a) Size (small molecules with radii <15 A able to freely filtrate (Mg, Cl, Water, glucose, etc.) b) 15-35 A: inverse relationship with size and filterability (smaller size= easier filterability) c) Large nodules (greater than 35 A) no filterability at all
- Charge (15-35A: Cations>neutral>anions) (Remember pedicels are negatively charged!)
Freely filtered molecules
passes readily through barrier into bowman’s space; [plasma]= [Bowman’s space]
Non-freely filtered molecules
Does not pass freely through the barrrier into the bowman’s space
[plasma]> [Bowman’s space]
Filterability of 1= freely filtered; less than 1 means less filterable
Filtration barriers that impede movement of water and various solutes
- Basement membrane is major barrier with endothelium in intimate contact with glomerular capillaries
- Epithelial layer of Bowman’s capsule has specialized cells (podocytes) that form many extensions that look like feet (pedicels) (pedicle surface is negatively charged)–> Pedicles interdigitate forming filtration slits
Filtration barriers that impede movement of water and various solutes
Starling’s Forces
Starling Forces: x4 pressures affecting fluid across capillary wall
2 hydrostatic pressure pushes H2O away (out capillary/interstituim)
2 oncotic pressures: proteins drawing H2O towards them (into the capillary/interstituim)
Hydrostatic Pressures
- Hydrostatic pressure of Capillary (PGc): favors filtration; force that preventss water from entering the capillary
- Hydrostatic pressure of intersttium (PBS): opposes filtration/favors reabsorption (H2O follows solutes- increase pressure- forces H2O into capillary)
Oncotic Pressures
- _Oncotic pressure of blood (plasma) (_πGC )- opposes filtration/favors reabsorption; major driving force in reabsorption (high concentration of proteins from differnet arterioles)
- Oncotic pressure of interstitial fluid/Bowman’s space (__πBS): favors filtration (+)- no proteins in bowman’s space (0 mmHg)
Net force pressure
ΔP= (factors that favor filtration)- (factors that favor reabsorption)
ΔP= (PGC+ πBS) – (PBS+πGC) (have to use this version if oncotic pressure of bowman’s space is provided)
πBS= Oncotic pressure of bowman’s space= usually zero or negligible
ΔP= PGC- PBS- πGC (able to use this version of the equation if the oncotic pressure is negligible
PGC= 45 mmHg (somewhat constant; usually around 45-60mmHg)
PBS= 10 mmgHg (pretty constant as well usually about 10mmHg)
Clinical Situation__: If a kidney stone blocked a renal calyx, how would this affect filtration pressure in the nephrons emptying into it?
Answer: The fluid is going to backup in the nephron; increase in hydrostatic pressure; can back up to the point that there is no movement of fluid at all
Diseases that Change Starling Forces
Nephrotic Syndrome: Increased permeability of glomerular capillaries to plasma proteins; results in increase πB (proteins are suppose to stay in circulation so they can draw water from interstitial spaces)
Urinary Tract Obstruction (Obstructive Uropathy):
Backs up tubular flow; results in increased PB
Golerular Filtration Rate
GFR will tell you how well your pt’s kidney are functioning ; Kf in glomerular filtration rate is usually 12ml/min/mmHg
GFR= Kf x ΔP
Kf= range from 10-15 ml/min/mmHg; about 12 usually (must be given to you on exam)
Kf= 12 ml/min/mmHg
Normal value of GFR: 90-140 ml/min; dependent on gender, size, and ethnicity
ΔP= (PGC+ πBS) – (PBS+πGC); if any of these pressure are changed this will affect your ΔP; eventually affects your GFR
Glomerural Pressure Variation
Constrict afferent:
Decrease Renal plasma flow (RPF)
Decrease GFR
Dilate Afferent:
Increase RPF
Increase GFR
Constrict efferent:
Decrease RPF
Increase GFR
Dilate efferent:
Increase RPF
Decrease GFR
Filtration
Movement of solutes from glomerular capillaries to Bowman’s space
Reabsorption
Returns most fileted solutes to circulation (want to keep these things)
Secretion
transports from peritubular capillaries and vasa recta into the tubular lumen (want to get rid of these things) (Secreted into lumen and then excreted)
Excretion
Solute in urine due to filtration, secretion, reabsorption (sum of 3 processes)
Overall solute movement
- Filtration- From the glomerular capillary and into the bowman’s space
- Ultrafiltrate is going to flow into the proximal tubule (reabsorption of solutes that we want to keep) (secrete things we don’t want to keep)
- Loop of Henle- (reabsorption in the descending limb (impermeable to solutes), mostly water); Thin and thick ascending (reabsorption of solutes only b/c they are impermeable to water)
- Distal tubule- reabsorption or secretion of solutes and water (early tubule: absorption of solutes only b/c impermeable to water) (distal tubule is permeable to solutes and water if you are in dehydrated state)
- Collecting Duct (reabsorption or secretion) as well as excretion (only part of body to do this)
- Note: Potassium is the solute that is present throughout this entire process; nephrons are making sure your body is in balance; secretes and excretes to regulate levels
If GFR is too high….
If GFR is too low…
If GFR is too high: Needed substrates cannot be reabsorbed quickly enough and are lost in the urine
If GFR is too low: Everything is reabsorbed, including wastes that are normally disposed
What does afferent arteriole constriction do to GFR?
Afferent arteriole construction: Glomerular hydrostatic pressure decreases, decreasing filtration–> decrease GFR
What does efferent arteriole construction do to GFR?
Efferent arteriole constriction: Glomerular hydrostatic pressure increases, increasing filtration–> increase GFR
Auto-Regulation of Renal Blood Flow
Auto regulation: GFR and RBF constant 80-180mmHg
<80mmHg- reduced renal blood flow
>180mmHg- severe hypertension; auto regulation stops
Myogenic feedback mechanisms
Increase BP, increase blood flow, increase GFR–> Increase Afferent Arteriole Stretch
–> Calcium channels open(effects the smooth muscle of the cells) –> Increase Afferent Arteriole Contraction