Renal Plasma Clearance Flashcards
What is GFR?
how much filtrate is removed from blood each minute
What is the first step of urine formation?
1st step in urine formation begins with glomerular filtration
How does GF composition differ from plasma?
same composition as plasma except:
Devoid of cellular elements like RBC
Essentially protein-free
What does the presence of protein in urine suggest?
Urine routinely tested on wards for protein - proteinuria; sign of renal/urinary tract disease
(>0.5g/day OR ≥250mg/L on test-strip)
How is filtration rate regulated?
Filtration across the capillaries is determined by opposing forces (PGC and PBS)
Which force favours filtration?
Favouring filtration:
Glomerular capillary pressure (PGC) = 60mmHg
Which force opposes filtration?
Hydrostatic pressure in Bowman’s space (PBS) = 15mmHg
What is the osmotic force of plasma proteins?
Osmotic force of plasma proteins (ΠGC) = 29mmHg
How do we determine the net filtration pressure?
PGC – PBS – ΠGC = 16mmHg (net filtration pressure)
How do we determine the urinary excretion rate?
Urinary excretion rate = GFR – reabsorption rate + secretion rate
What factors determine GFR?
- hydrostatic* and oncotic pressures across capillary
membranes - permeability of capillary filtration barrier & surface area
available
What is the significance of GFR?
GFR important clinical indicator of functioning of nephrons (renal function)
contributes to rapid removal of waste products
When do the renal processes (e.g GF, Tubular reabsorption etc.) occur?
Each of the processes i.e. GFR, tubular reabsorption and tubular secretion regulated according to needs of the body
Explain how the kidneys respond to excess Na in body
excess Na in body:
Na filtering rate increased
Na reabsorption rate is decreased
=> resulting in increased urinary excretion of Na
What is the effect of a high GFR?
High GFR allows kidneys to rapidly remove waste products that depend primarily on glomerular filtration for their excretion
Kidney can precisely & rapidly control volume and composition of body fluids
How do we measure GFR?
GFR is not measured directly but by measurement of the excretion of a marker substance
Explain how creatinine passes through the kidneys
- Filtration onky
Freely filtered but neither reabsorbed or secreted. Hence it’s excretion rate is = to rate at which filtered
How are electrolytes processed through the kidneys?
- Filtration + Partial Reabsorption
freely filtered but partly reabsorbed from tubules back into blood. Hence rate of urinary excretion is less than rate of filtration at glomerular capillaries (eg. Many electrolytes in body)
Explain the passage of glucose and amino acids through the kidneys
- Filtration + Complete Reabsorption
Freely filtered but NOT excreted into urine as all filtered substance reabsorbed from tubule back into blood
Explain the fate of organic acids as they pass through the nephrons of the kidneys
- Filtration + Secretion
Freely filtered but NOT reabsorbed and additional quantities secreted from peritubular capillaries into renal tubules (eg organic acids & bases)
What is the gold standard method for measuring GFR?
Inulin method
NOT used clinically
Describe the Inulin method of measuring GFR
An inert polysaccharide, MW ~5,000
Filters freely through the glomerular membrane
Not absorbed, secreted or metabolised
How is urine flow rate calculated?
V = urine volume collected / collection period
How do we calculate amount of inulin filtered out per min?
So the load of inulin filtering from the plasma into BC over 1 min is Pin x GFR
How do we calculate the rate at which inulin enters the bladder?
Rate at which inulin enters the bladder is:
Uin x urine flow(V)
What is renal clearance?
The volume of plasma that is completely cleared of the substance by the kidney per unit of time, (ml/min)