Renal - First Aid Flashcards
Kidney Embryology:
- week 4
- then degenerates
Pronephros
Kidney Embryology:
- functions as interim kidney for 1st trimester
- later contributes to male genital system
Mesonephros
Kidney Embryology:
- permanent
- first appears in 5th week of gestation
- nephrogenesis continues through weeks 32–36 of gestation
- aberrant interaction between ureteric bud and metanephric mesenchyme tissues may result in several congenital malformations of the kidney (eg. renal agenesis, multicystic dysplastic kidney)
Metanephros
Kidney Embryology:
- derived from caudal end of mesonephric duct
- gives rise to ureter, pelvises, calyces, and collecting ducts
- fully canalized by 10th week
Ureteric Bud
Kidney Embryology:
- metanephric blastema
- ureteric bud interacts with this tissue
- interaction induces differentiation and formation of glomerulus through to distal convoluted tubule (DCT)
Metanephric Mesenchyme
Kidney Embryology:
last to canalize → most common site of obstruction (can be detected on prenatal ultrasound as hydronephrosis)
Ureteropelvic Junction
Renal Congenital Anomalies:
- oligohydramnios → compression of developing fetus → limb deformities, facial anomalies (eg. low-set ears and retrognathia, flattened nose), compression of chest and lack of amniotic fluid aspiration into fetal lungs → pulmonary hypoplasia (cause of death)
- causes include ARPKD, obstructive uropathy (eg. posterior urethral valves), bilateral renal agenesis, chronic placental insufficiency
Potter Sequence (Syndrome)
POTTER sequence is associated with:
- Pulmonary hypoplasia
- Oligohydramnios (trigger)
- Twisted face
- Twisted skin
- Extremity defects
- Renal failure (in utero)
Renal Congenital Anomalies:
- inferior poles of both kidneys fuse abnormally
- as they ascend from pelvis during fetal development, the kidneys get trapped under inferior mesenteric artery and remain low in the abdomen
- kidneys function normally
- associated with hydronephrosis (eg. ureteropelvic junction obstruction), renal stones, infection, chromosomal aneuploidy syndromes (eg. Turner syndrome; trisomies 13, 18, 21), and rarely renal cancer
Horseshoe Kidney
Renal Congenital Anomalies:
- condition of being born with only one functioning kidney
- majority asymptomatic with compensatory hypertrophy of contralateral kidney, but anomalies in contralateral kidney are common
- often diagnosed prenatally via ultrasound
Congenital Solitary Functioning Kidney
Congenital Solitary Functioning Kidney:
ureteric bud fails to develop and induce differentiation of metanephric mesenchyme → complete absence of kidney and ureter
Unilateral Renal Agenesis
Congenital Solitary Functioning Kidney:
- ureteric bud fails to induce differentiation of metanephric mesenchyme → nonfunctional kidney consisting of cysts and connective tissue
- predominantly nonhereditary and usually unilateral
- bilateral leads to Potter sequence
Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney
Renal Congenital Anomalies:
- bifurcation of ureteric bud before it enters the metanephric blastema creates a Y-shaped bifid ureter
- duplex collecting system can alternatively occur through two ureteric buds reaching and interacting with metanephric blastema
- strongly associated with vesicoureteral reflux and/or ureteral obstruction
- ↑ risk for UTIs
Duplex Collecting System
Renal Congenital Anomalies:
- membrane remnant in the posterior urethra in males
- its persistence can lead to urethral obstruction
- can be diagnosed prenatally by hydronephrosis and dilated or thick-walled bladder on ultrasound
- most common cause of bladder outlet obstruction in male infants
Posterior Urethral Valves
Kidney Anatomy and Glomerular Structure
- Left kidney is taken during donor transplantation because it has a longer renal vein.
- Afferent = Arriving
- Efferent = Exiting
- Renal Blood Blow: renal artery → segmental artery → interlobar artery → arcuate artery → interlobular artery → afferent arteriole → glomerulus → efferent arteriole → vasa recta/peritubular capillaries → venous outflow
Course of Ureters
- Course of Ureters: arises from renal pelvis, travels under gonadal arteries → over common iliac artery → under uterine artery/vas deferens (retroperitoneal)
- Gynecologic procedures (eg. ligation of uterine or ovarian vessels) may damage ureter → ureteral obstruction or leak.
- Muscle fibers within the intramural part of the ureter prevent urine reflux.
-
3 Constrictions of Ureters:
- Ureteropelvic Junction
- Pelvic Inlet
- Ureterovesical Junction
- Water (ureters) flows over the iliacs and under the bridge (uterine artery or vas deferens).
Fluid Compartments
- HIKIN’: HIgh K+ INtracellularly
-
60–40–20 rule (% of body weight for average person):
- 60% total body water
- 40% ICF, mainly composed of K+, Mg2+, organic phosphates (eg. ATP)
- 20% ECF, mainly composed of Na+, Cl–, HCO3–, albumin
- Plasma volume can be measured by radiolabeling albumin.
- Extracellular volume can be measured by inulin or mannitol.
- Osmolality = 285–295 mOsm/kg H2O
Glomerular Filtration Barrier
- Responsible for filtration of plasma according to size and charge selectivity.
- Composed of:
- fenestrated capillary endothelium
- basement membrane with type IV collagen chains and heparan sulfate
- epithelial layer consisting of podocyte foot processes
- Charge Barrier
- all 3 layers contain ⊝ charged glycoproteins that prevent entry of ⊝ charged molecules (eg. albumin)
- Size Barrier
- fenestrated capillary endothelium (prevent entry of > 100 nm molecules/blood cells)
- podocyte foot processes interpose with basement membrane
- slit diaphragm (prevent entry of molecules > 50–60 nm)
Renal Clearance
Cx = (UxV)/Px = volume of plasma from which the substance is completely cleared per unit time
- If Cx < GFR: net tubular reabsorption of X
- If Cx > GFR: net tubular secretion of X
- If Cx = GFR: no net secretion or reabsorption
Cx = clearance of X (mL/min) Ux = urine concentration of X (eg, mg/mL) Px = plasma concentration of X (eg, mg/mL) V = urine flow rate (mL/min)
Glomerular Filtration Rate
- Inulin clearance can be used to calculate GFR because it is freely filtered and is neither reabsorbed nor secreted.
- GFR = Uinulin × V/Pinulin = Cinulin = Kf [(PGC – PBS) – (πGC – πBS)]
- GC = glomerular capillary
- BS = Bowman space
- πBS normally equals zero
- Kf = filtration coefficient
- Normal GFR ≈ 100 mL/min.
- Creatinine clearance is an approximate measure of GFR. Slightly overestimates GFR because creatinine is moderately secreted by renal tubules.
- Incremental reductions in GFR define the stages of chronic kidney disease.
Effective Renal Plasma Flow
- Effective renal plasma flow (eRPF) can be estimated using para-aminohippuric acid (PAH) clearance.
- Between filtration and secretion, there is nearly 100% excretion of all PAH that enters the kidney.
- eRPF = UPAH × V/PPAH = CPAH
- Renal Blood Flow (RBF) = RPF/(1 − Hct)—usually 20–25% of cardiac output
- Plasma Volume = TBV × (1 – Hct)
- eRPF underestimates true renal plasma flow (RPF) slightly.
Filtration
- Filtration Fraction (FF) = GFR/RPF
- Normal FF = 20%
- Filtered Load (mg/min) = GFR (mL/min) × plasma concentration (mg/mL)
- GFR can be estimated with creatinine clearance.
- RPF is best estimated with PAH clearance.
- Prostaglandins Dilate Afferent arteriole (PDA)
- Angiotensin II Constricts Efferent arteriole (ACE)
Changes in Glomerular Dynamics
Calculation of Reabsorption and Secretion Rate
- Filtered Load = GFR × Px
- Excretion Rate = V × Ux
- Reabsorption Rate = filtered – excreted
- Secretion Rate = excreted – filtered
- FeNa = fractional excretion of sodium
Glucose Clearance
- Glucose at a normal plasma level (range 60–120 mg/dL) is completely reabsorbed in proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) by Na+/glucose cotransport.
- In adults, at plasma glucose of ∼ 200 mg/dL, glucosuria begins (threshold).
- At rate of ∼ 375 mg/min, all transporters are fully saturated (Tm).
- Normal pregnancy is associated with ↑ GFR.
- With ↑ filtration of all substances, including glucose, the glucose threshold occurs at lower plasma glucose concentrations → glucosuria at normal plasma glucose levels.
- Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (eg. -flozin drugs) result in glucosuria at plasma concentrations < 200 mg/dL.
- Glucosuria is an important clinical clue to diabetes mellitus.
- Splay Phenomenon
- Tm for glucose is reached gradually rather than sharply due to the heterogeneity of nephrons (ie. different Tm points)
- represented by the portion of the titration curve between threshold and Tm
Nephron Physiology:
Proximal Convoluted Tubule
- contains brush border
- reabsorbs all glucose and amino acids and most HCO3–, Na+, Cl–, PO43–, K+, H2O, and uric acid
- isotonic absorption
- generates and secretes NH3, which enables the kidney to secrete more H+
- PTH—inhibits Na+/PO43– cotransport → PO43– excretion
- AT II—stimulates Na+/H+ exchange → ↑ Na+, H2O, and HCO3− reabsorption (permitting contraction alkalosis)
- 65–80% Na+ reabsorbed
Nephron Physiology:
Loop of Henle
Thin Descending Loop of Henle
- passively reabsorbs H2O
- via medullary hypertonicity (impermeable to Na+)
- concentrating segment
- makes urine hypertonic
Thick Ascending Loop of Henle
- reabsorbs Na+, K+, and Cl−
- indirectly induces paracellular reabsorption of Mg2+ and Ca2+ through ⊕ lumen potential generated by K+ backleak
- impermeable to H2O
- makes urine less concentrated as it ascends
- 10–20% Na+ reabsorbed
Nephron Physiology:
Distal Convoluted Tubule
- reabsorbs Na+ and Cl−
- impermeable to H2O
- makes urine fully dilute (hypotonic)
- PTH— ↑ Ca2+/Na+ exchange → Ca2+ reabsorption
- 5–10% Na+ reabsorbed
Nephron Physiology:
Collecting Tubule
- reabsorbs Na+ in exchange for secreting K+ and H+ (regulated by aldosterone)
- Aldosterone
- acts on mineralocorticoid receptor → mRNA → protein synthesis
- In principal cells: ↑ apical K+ conductance, ↑ Na+/K+ pump, ↑ epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) activity → lumen negativity → K+ secretion
- In α-intercalated cells: lumen negativity → ↑ H+ ATPase activity → ↑ H+ secretion → ↑ HCO3−/Cl− exchanger activity
- ADH
- acts at V2 receptor → insertion of aquaporin H2O channels on apical side
- 3–5% Na+ reabsorbed
Renal Tubular Defects
The kidneys put out FaBulous Glittering LiquidS (from front to end of tube).
- Fanconi Syndrome
- Bartter Syndrome
- Gitelman Syndrome
- Liddle Syndrome
- Syndrome of Apparent Mineralocorticoid Excess
Renal Tubular Defects:
- generalized reabsorption defect in PCT → ↑ excretion of amino acids, glucose, HCO3–, and PO43–, and all substances reabsorbed by the PCT
- may lead to metabolic acidosis (proximal RTA), hypophosphatemia, and osteopenia
- caused by hereditary defects (eg, Wilson disease, tyrosinemia, glycogen storage disease), ischemia, multiple myeloma, nephrotoxins/drugs (eg. ifosfamide, cisplatin, expired tetracyclines), and lead poisoning
Fanconi Syndrome
Renal Tubular Defects:
- resorptive defect in thick ascending loop of Henle (affects Na+/K+/2Cl– cotransporter)
- metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, and hypercalciuria
- autosomal recessive
- presents similarly to chronic loop diuretic use
Bartter Syndrome
Renal Tubular Defects:
- reabsorption defect of NaCl in DCT
- metabolic alkalosis, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, and hypocalciuria
- autosomal recessive
- presents similarly to lifelong thiazide diuretic use
- less severe than Bartter syndrome
Gitelman Syndrome
Renal Tubular Defects:
- gain of function mutation → ↑ activity of Na+ channel → ↑ Na+ reabsorption in collecting tubules
- metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, hypertension, and ↓ aldosterone
- autosomal dominant
- presents similarly to hyperaldosteronism, but aldosterone is nearly undetectable
- treated with Amiloride
Liddle Syndrome
Renal Tubular Defects:
- in cells containing mineralocorticoid receptors, 11β-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase converts cortisol (can activate these receptors) to cortisone (inactive on these receptors)
- hereditary deficiency of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase → excess cortisol → ↑ mineralocorticoid receptor activity
- metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, hypertension
- ↓ serum aldosterone level
- autosomal recessive
- can be acquired from glycyrrhetinic acid (present in licorice), which blocks activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
- treated with K+-sparing diuretics (↓ mineralocorticoid effects) or corticosteroids (exogenous corticosteroid ↓ endogenous cortisol production → ↓ mineralocorticoid receptor activation)
Syndrome of Apparent Mineralocorticoid Excess
Cortisol tries to be the SAME as Aldosterone.
Relative Concentrations along Proximal Convoluted Tubules
- Tubular inulin ↑ in concentration (but not amount) along the PCT as a result of water reabsorption.
- Cl− reabsorption occurs at a slower rate than Na+ in early PCT and then matches the rate of Na+ reabsorption more distally. Thus, its relative concentration ↑ before it plateaus.
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System:
- secreted by JG cells in response to ↓ renal perfusion pressure (detected by renal baroreceptors in afferent arteriole)
- ↑ renal sympathetic discharge (β1 effect)
- ↓ NaCl delivery to macula densa cells
Renin
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System:
- helps maintain blood volume and blood pressure
- affects baroreceptor function
- limits reflex bradycardia, which would normally accompany its pressor effects
Angiotensin II
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System:
- released from atria and ventricles in response to ↑ volume
- may act as a “check” on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
- relaxes vascular smooth muscle via cGMP → ↑ GFR, ↓ renin
- dilates afferent arteriole, constricts efferent arteriole, and promotes natriuresis
- ANP—atria
- BNP—ventricles
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System:
- primarily regulates serum osmolality
- also responds to low blood volume states
- stimulates reabsorption of water in collecting ducts
- also stimulates reabsorption of urea in collecting ducts to maintain corticopapillary osmotic gradient
ADH
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System:
- primarily regulates ECF volume and Na+ content
- responds to low blood volume states
- responds to hyperkalemia by ↑ K+ excretion
Aldosterone
Renal Physiology:
- consists of mesangial cells, JG cells (modified smooth muscle of afferent arteriole) and the macula densa (NaCl sensor, located at distal end of loop of Henle)
- JG cells secrete renin in response to ↓ renal blood pressure and ↑ sympathetic tone (β1)
- macula densa cells sense ↓ NaCl delivery to DCT → ↑ renin release → efferent arteriole vasoconstriction → ↑ GFR
- maintains GFR via renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
- in addition to vasodilatory properties, β-blockers can decrease BP by inhibiting β1‑receptors of the JGA → ↓ renin release
Juxtaglomerular Apparatus
Kidney Endocrine Functions:
- released by interstitial cells in peritubular capillary bed in response to hypoxia
- stimulates RBC proliferation in bone marrow
- often supplemented in chronic kidney disease
Erythropoietin
Kidney Endocrine Functions:
PCT cells convert 25-OH Vitamin D3 to 1,25-(OH)2 Vitamin D3 (Calcitriol, active form)
Calciferol (Vitamin D)
Kidney Endocrine Functions:
- paracrine secretion vasodilates the afferent arterioles to ↑ RBF
- NSAIDs block renal-protective _____ synthesis → constriction of afferent arteriole and ↓ GFR; this may result in acute renal failure in low renal blood flow states
Prostaglandins
Kidney Endocrine Functions:
- secreted by PCT cells
- promotes natriuresis
- at low doses, dilates interlobular arteries, afferent arterioles, efferent arterioles → ↑ RBF, little or no change in GFR
- at higher doses, acts as a vasoconstrictor
Dopamine
Hormones Acting on the Kidneys
Potassium Shifts:
shifts K+ into cell → hypokalemia
- Hypo-osmolarity
- Alkalosis
- β-Adrenergic Agonist (↑ Na+/K+ ATPase)
- Insulin (↑ Na+/K+ ATPase)—insulin shifts K+ into cells
Potassium Shifts:
shifts K+ out of cell → hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia? DO LAβSS:
- Digitalis (blocks Na+/K+ ATPase)
- HyperOsmolarity
-
Lysis of Cells (eg. crush injury, rhabdomyolysis,
tumor lysis syndrome) - Acidosis
- β-blocker
- High Blood Sugar (insulin deficiency)
- Succinylcholine (↑ risk in burns/muscle trauma)
Electrolyte Disturbances:
- nausea
- malaise
- stupor
- coma
- seizures
↓ Na+
Electrolyte Disturbances:
- irritability
- stupor
- coma
↑ Na+
Electrolyte Disturbances:
- U waves and flattened T waves on ECG
- arrhythmias
- muscle cramps
- spasm
- weakness
↓ K+
Electrolyte Disturbances:
- wide QRS and peaked T waves on ECG
- arrhythmias
- muscle weakness
↑ K+
Electrolyte Disturbances:
- tetany
- seizures
- QT prolongation
- twitching (Chvostek sign)
- spasm (Trousseau sign)
↓ Ca2+
Electrolyte Disturbances:
- stones (renal)
- bones (pain)
- groans (abdominal pain)
- thrones (↑ urinary frequency)
- psychiatric overtones (anxiety, altered mental status)
↑ Ca2+
Electrolyte Disturbances:
- tetany
- torsades de pointes
- hypokalemia
- hypocalcemia (when < 1.2 mg/dL)
↓ Mg2+
Electrolyte Disturbances:
- ↓ DTRs
- lethargy
- bradycardia
- hypotension
- cardiac arrest
- hypocalcemia
↑ Mg2+
Electrolyte Disturbances:
- bone loss
- osteomalacia (adults)
- rickets (children)
↓ PO43−
Electrolyte Disturbances:
- renal stones
- metastatic calcifications
- hypocalcemia
↑ PO43−
Features of Renal Disorders
Acid-Base Physiology