Sodium and Potassium Balance Flashcards
Define Osmolarity:
measure of the solute (particle) concentration in a solution.
Define 1 Osmole:
1 mole of dissolved particles per litre.
What is normal plasma osmolarity?
285-295 mosmol/L
What is normal Sodium osmolarity in the ECF?
140 mosmol/L
How does increased sodium intake lead to increased blood pressure?
Increased sodium intake leads to increased total body sodium and increased osmolarity (doesn’t happen though due to semipermeable membranes) which leads to increased water intake and retention and so increased ECF volume, and therefore increased blood volume and pressure.
Where is central sodium intake regulated?
Lateral parabrachial nucleus
What inhibits sodium intake?
Serotonin, Glutamate.
What increases appetite for sodium?
GABA, Opiods.
What is the peripheral regulation of Sodium?
Taste
Where is Sodium reabsorbed in the Kidney Nephron?
67% - Proximal Convoluted tubule 25% - Thick ascending limb of loop of Henle 5% - Distal Convoluted tubule 3% - Collecting duct 1% - Excreted
What percentage of Renal Plasma enters the tubular system?
20%
What is the relationship between RPF, GFR and arterial blood pressure?
RPF & GFR are proportional to arterial blood pressure, however at a certain point they plateau, for example when blood pressure is raised when you are exercising
, this ensures that you don’t lose too much sodium.
What is the short term response to reduce GFR?
Macula densa cells detect high Na+ and increase Na+ & Cl- uptake via triple transporter. Adenosine released by macula densa causes extraglomerular mesangial cells to interact with smooth muscle cells and contract, reducing GFR. Adenosine also leads to a reduction in renin being reduced for a short time.
What is the short term response to retaining sodium?
Filter less. Increase pressure gradient in arteriole so that less is filtered via the nephron.
What are the mechanisms for longer term increased sodium retention?
Sympathetic activity - contracts smooth muscle of afferent arteriole, stimulates sodium re-uptake in PCT and juxtaglomerular apparatus to produce Renin. Renin will lead to production of Angiotensin 2.
Angiotensin 2 - Stimulates sodium re-uptake in PCT and adrenal glands to produce aldosterone, stimulating sodium re-uptake in DCT &CT.
Low tubular Na+ will also stimulate renin production.
What are the mechanisms for longer term decreased sodium retention?
Atrial naturietic peptide - Acts as a vasodilator, suppresses sodium re-uptake in PCT, DCT & CT. Suppresses renin production in juxtaglomerular apparatus.
What happens when sodium levels are low?
Increased - beta-sympathetic activity, renin, angiotensin 1&2, aldosterone, vasoconstriction, NaCl reabsorption.
Decreased - blood pressure, fluid volume.
What happens when sodium levels are high?
Increased - blood pressure, fluid volume.
Decreased -beta-sympathetic activity, renin, angiotensin 1&2, aldosterone, vasoconstriction, NaCl reabsorption.
What is Aldosterone?
Steroid hormone produced in response to Angiotensin 2 , increases blood pressure.
How does Angiotensin 2 stimulate aldosterone synthesis?
Promotes synthesis of aldosterone synthase, which is involved in the last 2 steps of aldosterone production.
What is the function of Aldosterone in the Kidney nephron?
Increase Sodium reabsorption.
Increase Potassium secretion.
Increase Hydrogen ion secretion.
What can excess Aldosterone lead to?
hypokalaemic alkalosis
How does Aldosterone work?
Lipid soluble, so it can pass through the semipermeable membrane. Once inside the cell it binds to a steroid hormone receptor within the cytoplasm, normally bound to HSP90 protein. Receptor will dimerise, allowing translocation into the nucleus, bind to DNA and stimulate production for mRNAs for genes that are under its control. e.g sodium channel, sodium potassium ATPase, as well as regulatory proteins that stimulate activity of these channels. not just more channels, but more active channels as well.
What happens in Hypoaldosteronism?
Reduced sodium reabsorption, increased urinary loss of sodium, ECF volume falls.
symptoms - low blood pressure, dizziness, salt cravings, palpitations.