Renal Regulation Flashcards
What is Osmosis?
The movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration until equilibrium is reached.
What is Osmotic pressure proportional to?
No. of solute particles
What is the formula for osmolarity?
Osmolarity = concentration x No. of dissociated particles = Osm/L or mOsm/L
Describe the distribution of fluids in the body
2/3 intracellular
1/3 extracellular
Unregulated water losses
- Sweat
- Faeces
- Vomit
- Water evaporation from respiratory lining and skin
Regulated water losses
renal - urine
When is there positive water balance?
High water intake = increased ECF volume in conjunction with low Na+ and low plasma osmolarity
This leads to hypoosmotic urine production which equilibrates osmolarity
When is there negative water balance?
Low water intake = reduced ECF volume and high Na+ in conjunction with high osmolarity.
This leads to hyperosmotic urine production —> equilibration of osmolarity
In what part of the nephron is the majority of water reabsorbed?
2/3s in the proximal convoluted tubule
In what part of the nephron can salt be reabsorbed but not water?
Ascending limb of the loop of Henle
In what part of the nephron is salt actively reabsorbed and where is it passively reabsorbed?
Actively in the thick portion of the ascending limb of the loop of Henle
Passively in the thin portion of the ascending limb of the loop of Henle
In what part of the nephron is water passively reabsorbed but not salt?
Descending limb of Loop of Henle
Why does the medullary interstitium need to be hyperosmotic?
To allow for an osmotic gradient to form, allowing PASSIVE reabsorption of water in the descending limb of the LOH and collecting duct
In what part of the nephron are variable levels of water reabsorbed?
DCT and Collecting duct
What is the name given to the process that results in the formation of a gradient in the medullary interstitium?
Countercurrent multiplication
Describe the process of countercurrent multiplication
- Active salt reabsorption in the thick ascending loop of Henle
- Passive water reabsorption in the thin descending loop of Henle
This process continues and results in an increase in osmolarity in the medullary interstitium
Concentration gradient is formed - most concentrated at the bottom of the loop of Henle
Describe the process of urea recyling
- Urea is moved out of the collecting duct
a. Moved out of the apical side by UT-A1
b. Moved out of the basolateral side by UT-A3- It enters the interstitium -> increases osmolarity
- Then has 2 options
a. One -> back into blood - by UT-B1
b. Two -> renters into the thin descending loop of Henle - by UT-A2
c. Some urea remains in the interstitium - This concentrates urea - less water to remove
What is the purpose of urea recycling?
To increase the osmolarity of the interstitium ( allowing for urine concentration [ i.e less water loss] and secondly, urea excretion requires less water.)
Why does urea excretion requires less water?
A high tubular urea concentration will be matched with a high urea concentration in the interstitium and so rather than water entering the tubule, the urea equilibriates independently to minimise it’s effect on the osmolarity of the tubular fluid so water does not need to enter the tubule and urea can be excreted with less water
What effects does Vasopressin have on urea recycling?
Helps in boosting UTA1 and UTA3 as well as improving permeability in the collecting duct for urea.
What is ADH?
Anti-diuretic hormone, 9 amino acids long