Renal Pharmacology Flashcards
List the functions of the kidney
A WET BED
acid base balance
water balance
electrolyte balance
toxin removal
blood pressure control
erythropoietin production
vitamin D metabolism
What structures make up the renal corpuscle
bowmans capsule and the glomerulus (capillaries)
Blood is filtered to ultrafiltrate
What is allowed through into the ultrafiltrate at the renal corpuscle and what is blocked?
Allowed
- water
- Na
- K
- Ca
- glucose and sucrose
- urea
- vitamins
- fatty acids and amino acids
Blocked
- RBC
- plasma proteins and anything bound to a carrier protein (Ca/Fe/hormones/drugs)
What is the function of the proximal convoluted tubule
It has osmolarity similar to plasma and removed
- Na
- Cl
- glucose
- amino acids
These products are removed actively
water is removed passively because it will follow Na
- 45- 65% Na resorbed
What is the ‘vasa recta’
the peritubular capillaries that surround the loop of henle
How much Na is resorbed in the loop of henle as a whole
25 - 40%
it has the biggest impact on Na resorption
What are the parts of the loop of henle
the thin descending loop
the thin ascending loop
the thick ascending loop
What is the function of the thin descending loop of henle
It concentrated fluid and is permeable to water but not solutes
The surrounding environment is highly concentrated with NaCl and so water is removed passively
What is the function of the thin ascending loop of henle
It is permeable to Na and Cl but not to water
This means that NaCl will diffuse out of the tubule
The surrounding environment is less concentrated than the lumen
What is the function of the thick ascending loop of henle
It creates the concentration gradient by actively pumping out Na
Cl will also be removed passively as a result of Na removal
It creates a hypotonic fluid in the lumen
The tubule is not permeable to water
What is the function of the distal convoluted tubule
It receives the hypotonic lumen fluid
It is permeable to water and so water leaves through osmosis (passive)
What is the function of the collecting duct
Many nephrons empty into this
It receives fluid that is isotonic to plasma
Water leaves passively in response to the concentration gradient
How much Na is resorbed in the distal convoluted tubule an the collecting duct
10%
What are the 5 key principles of kidney function
water moves passively
solutes control water movement
Na can move passively or actively
varied permeability to water creates a concentration gradient
intramedullary concentration gradient allows urine concentration
What are the 3 main functions of diuretics
mobilize tissue fluid (edema/ascites)
reduce blood volume (reduce hypertension and congestion)
protect kidney function (increases urine flow and reduces toxins)
What is the main goal/mechanism used by diuretics (except osmotic diuretics)
increased sodium excretion is followed by water
So to inhibit targets that are responsible for Na resorption it will cause increase urine production
Define natriuresis
sodium (and other ion) loss in the urine
List 5 main classes of diuretics
carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
osmotic diuretics
loop diuretics
thiazide diuretics
potassium sparing diuretics
In which part of the kidney would a diuretic effect be most impactful
the loop of henle because it has the biggest impact on sodium excretion/retention
The loop of henle can compensate for changes in the proximal tubule
Do diuretics rely on drug concentration in the tubular lumen
Yes they all do except spironolactone
What is the mechanism of action of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
They act on enzymes in the proximal convoluted tubule
- non competitive inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase
- inhibit = formation of carbonic acid from CO2 and water
- normally, carbonic acid dissociates into bicarb (HCO3) and H - low carbonic acid results in reduced H in the tubule cells
- normally, Na is resorbed from the lumen in exchange for an H - Less H in the tubule = less Na moved out of the lumen
- Na remaining in the lumen can combine with HCO3 to form sodium bicarbonate
- water secreted to join the sodium bicarb
- as more bicarb is excreted = can cause systemic acidosis
- systemic acidosis = more H available
- Na/H antiporter (exchanger) works again
= this drug is self limiting
What level of diuretic effect is stimulated by carbonic anhydrase inhibitors? Why?
mild because although the Na/H exchange is an important part of water exchange, there are other mechanisms that can compensate
- Na/K antiporter (K substitute for H)
- loop of henle can compensate
List 3 systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
acetazolamide*
dichloramphine, methazolamide
List 2 topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
dorzolamide*
brinzolamide
Which diuretic drug is typically used to manage glaucoma
dorzolamide
it reduces the production of aqueous humor
What is acetazolamide usually used for in dogs
acute treatment of glaucoma if topical dorzolamide fails first
What is acetazolamide usually used for in horses
prevention of hyperkalemic periodic paralysis