Test 1 (Renal Blood Flow Lecture) Flashcards
Renal Functional Unit
Nephron:
- Number DECREASES with Age
Composed of:
a) Glomerulus (Glomerular Capillaries): Filters Blood
b) Tubule: Converts Filtrate into Urine
- Both are surrounded by the Blind end of the Tubular Epithelium … BOWMAN’s CAPSULE (Glomerular Capsule)
- Space between Capsule and Glomerulus … BOWMAN’s SPACE
- Filtrate passes from Blood to Tubular System through this Space
Types of Nephrons
1) Superficial (Cortical)
- SHORT loop of Henle
- Surrounded by Peritubular Capillaries
2) Juxtamedullary
- LONG loop of Henle
- LONG EFFERENT ARTERIOLES which divided into specialized peritubular Capillaries called the VASA RECTA!!!!!
- The Vasa Recta function to CONCENTRATE URINE
Renal Blood Supply
- Approximately 20% of CARDIAC OUTPUT
- High Pressure is Glomerular Capillaries (about 60 m Hg) causes FILTRATION of Blood
- 1100 - 1300 mL filtered/ min which produces 125- 130 mL of fluid termed the GLOMERULAR FILTRATE
- Lower Pressure in the PERITUBULAR CAPILLARIES (about 13 mm Hg) permits FLUID REABSORPTION
- Pressure in BOTH Capillary beds can be regulated by RESISTANCE changes in AFFERENT and EFFERENT Arterioles
Renal Blood Flow
- Important in Regulation of Body Fluid Volume and solute concentration
- Oxygen consumption of Renal Tissue is HIGHER than that of the BRAIN (Related to the HIGH RATE of Active Na+ Reabsorption which drives the Na+/ K+ ATPase)
- Cortex receives most RBF, Medulla receives LESS via VASA RECTA
- RBF determined by Pressure Gradient between Renal Artery and Renal Vein divided by the VASCULAR RESISTANCE
Glomerular Filtration: First step in Urine Formation
- Plasma is filtered under pressure from Glomerular Capillaries into Bowman’s Capsule
- Normally, Glomerular Filtrate is essentially FREE of BLOOD CELLS and PROTEINS, but otherwise Identical to Plasma
- Glomerular Filtrate is HEAVILY MODIFIED as it passes down the Nephron
- Urine is very different from GLOMERULAR FILTRATE
Clinical Application of GFR
- Estimation of GFR is essential in assessment of Renal Function
- TOTAL GFR is the sum of the Filtration Rate in all functioning Nephrons and therefore is an INDEX of FUNCTIONING RENAL MASS
- GFR estimate can be used to evaluate the severity and course of RENAL DISEASE
- A fall in GFR indicates disease Progression (Most often resulting from a DECREASE in NET PERMEABILITY due to LOSS of FILTRATION SURFACE AREA)
- A Rise in GFR is indicative of at least PARTIAL RECOVERY
Glomerular Membrane: A Molecular Sieve
- Free passage of Water, Small Solutes (Glucose, Amino Acids, Electrolytes): concentration are the same on BOTH SIDES of MEMBRANE
- Passage of LARGE Molecules (Proteins) and formed elements is impeded
- Normally, only VERY SMALL amounts of Protein are filtered into BOWMAN’S Capsule
Structure of Glomerular Membrane
Three Distinctive Layers:
1) FENESRTATED CAPILLARY ENDOTHELIUM:
- Highly permeable to WATER, Dissolved Solutes
2) GLOMERULAR BASEMENT MEMBRANE:
- Collagen, Proteoglycans contain Anionic (NEGATIVE) Charges
3) PODOCYTE EPITHELIUM:
- Slit pores between Podocytes RESTRICT LARGE Molecules
Proteins of Glomerular Slit Diaphragm CD2AP and CD2- associated Protein
- CD2AP
- NEPHRIN Molecules
Mechanism of Filtration
- Based on size and Charge of Macromolecules:
a) LARGE Molecules are RESTRICTED more than Smaller
b) ANIONIC Molecules are RESTRICTED more than Neutral or Cationic
Clinical Application of Filtration
- Some kidney disease cause LOSS of NEGATIVE CHARGE on the basement membrane before noticeable changes in RENAL STRUCTURE
Minimal Change Disease or Neuphropathy:
- Results in FILTRATION of Proteins (Especially ALBUMIN) and their appearance in Urine (Albuminuria or Proteinuria)
- More extensive Renal Injury often results in LARGE amount of PROTEIN in URINE
Physical Forces affecting Glomerular Filtration
- GFR is remarkably HIGH (125 ml/ min, 180 L/ day)
GFR is a product of 3 Physical Factors:
1) HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY (Lp) of Glomerular Membrane
- Permeability or Porosity of Capillary Wall
2) SURFACE AREA for Filtration (2m^2)
- Product of 1 and 2 is ULTRAFILTRATION COEFFICIENT Kf
3) Capillary Ultrafiltration Pressure (Puf)
GFR = Kf x Puf
Mechanisms for Altering GFR
GFR = Kf x Puf
1) Altered Kf:
- MESANGIAL CELL Contraction
2) Alrered Puf:
- Changes in P(Gc)
P(Gc) Determined by 3 Factors:
1) Renal Arterial Blood Pressure
2) Afferent Arteriolar Resistance
3) Efferent Arteriolar Resistance
Glomerular Mesangial Cells can alter Kf
GLOMERULAR MESANGIAL CELLS (M) located within Glomerular Capillary Loops
- Contraction of Mesangial Cells SHORTENS CAPILLARY LOOPS, LOWERS Kf, and thus LOWERS GFR!!!!!!!!
Ultrafiltration Pressure: Driving force for Glomerular Filtration
- Puf is determined by HYDROSTATIC and COLLOID OSMOTIC PRESSURES in Glomerular Capillaries
Bowmans’ Capsule:
Puf = P(Gc) - (P(Bc) + p(Gc))