Unit 10 Kidney Flashcards
The renal cortex contains of what 3 parts of the nephron?
Glomeruli
Proximal tubules
Distal tubules
The renal medulla contains of what 2 components of the nephron?
Loop of Henle
Collecting ducts
The kidney resides between what levels of the spinal cord?
T12 and L2
Right kidney is slightly more caudal to accommodate the liver
What is the point of entry and exit for the renal artery, vein, nerves, lymphatic, and ureters?
Hilum
The medulla is divided into several _____.
Pyramids
The apex of each pyramid is directed towards the renal pelvis, what is the apex of the pyramid called?
Papilla
The papilla contains lots of _______.
Collecting ducts
The papilla drain urine into the _____.
Minor calyces
Multiple minor calyces converge to form the ______.
Major calyces
Multiple major calyces converge to form the ______.
Renal pelvis
The renal pelvis empties into the _____.
Ureter
What are the calyces, pelvis, and ureters have the capability to do what to help move urine towards the bladder?
Contract
List the 6 functions of the kidney
- Maintenance of extracellular volume and composition
- Blood pressure regulation: long and intermediate term
- Excretion of toxins and metabolites
- Maintenance of acid-base balance
- Hormone production
- Blood glucose homeostasis
How does the kidney contribute to the volume and composition of the extracellular fluid?
There are 2 key hormones that govern how the kidney regulates ECF volume and composition:
- aldosterone controls ECF volume, sodium and water are reabsorbed together
- antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin) controls plasma osmolarity, water is reabsorbed but sodium is not
What other solutes besides Na and water does the kidney regulate?
K Cl Phos Mg H+ Bicarb Glucose Urea
How do the kidneys help to regulate BP? What other systems also contribute to the BP regulation?
The kidneys provide intermediate no long term BP control:
- long term control of BP is carried out by the thirst mechanism (intake) and sodium and water excretion (output)
- Intermediate term control of BP is carried out by the RAAS
- Short term control of BP is carried out by the baroreceptor reflex
Hoe does the kidney eliminate toxins and metabolites?
Glomerular filtration and tubular secretion clear the blood of metabolic byproducts, toxins, and drugs.
Like the liver, the kidney is capable of phase I and II biotransformation
How does the kidney contribute to acid-base balance? Which other organ is essential to this process?
The key organs of acid-base balance include the lungs and the kidneys.
- the lungs excrete volatile acids (CO2) and the kidneys excrete non-volatile acids.
- the kidneys maintain acid-base balance by titrations hydrogen in the tubular fluid, which creates acidic or basic urine
What stimulates the kidney to release erythropoietin? What does EPO do after it is released?
Erythropoietin is released in response to inadequate O2 delivery to the kidney. (Clinical examples: anemia, reduced intravascular volume, hypoxia from altitude, cardiac and/or pulmonary failure)
- EPO stimulates stem cells in the bone marrow to produce RBCs
- Severe kidney disease reduces EPO production and leads to chronic anemia
What is calcitriol, and what does it do?
Calciferol is synthesized from ingested vitamin D or following exposure to ultraviolet light.
- in the liver, calciferol is converted to 25 [OH] vitamin D3 (inactive D3)
- in the kidney (under control of PTH), 25 [OH] vitamin D3 is converted to calcitriol (1,25 [OH]2 vitamin D3, the active form of D3
Calcitriol has 3 functions, it stimulates:
- the intestine to absorb Ca+2 from food
- the bone to store Ca+2
- the kidney to reabsorbed Ca+2 and phosphate
What prostaglandins vasodilate the renal arteries? Which constrict the renal arteries?
Vasodilate: PGE2 and PGI2
Constrict: Thromboxane A2
How to the kidneys help blood glucose homeostasis?
They kidneys (like the liver) are capable of synthesizing glucose from amino acids, thereby preventing hypoglycemia during fasting. The kidneys rival the liver’s ability to perform Gluconeogenesis
How much blood flow do the kidneys receive (% of CO and total flow)
20-25% of CO
1000-1250 mL/min
Of the blood delivered to the kidney, how much is filtered at the glomerulus?
20%
The filtered volume of blood that enters the tubules is called what?
Ultrafiltrate
The other 80% of blood that isn’t filtered in the kidney goes where?
It circulates through the peritubular capillaries
After filtration, how much of the ultrafiltrate is reabsorbed into the peritubular capillaries?
~99%
What happens to the ultrafiltrate that is not reabsorbed goes where?
It is excreted as urine
1-1.5 L/day
All of the blood in the peritubular capillaries eventually goes where?
Empties into the inferior vena cava by way of the renal veins
What is the equation for renal blood flow?
Renal Blood Flow = (MAP - Renal Venous Pressure) / Renal Vascular Resistance
How much of renal blood flow does the cortex receive? The medulla? What is PO2 in each region?
Cortex receives 90% of renal blood flow - PO2 50 mmHg
Medulla and its juxtamedullary nephrons receive 10% of renal blood flow - PO2 10 mmHg
What is the significance of the renal medulla having a lower PO2 than the cortex?
Explains why the medulla is more sensitive to ischemia
Renal blood flow decreases ___% per decade of life after age ____.
Decreases by 10% per decade of life after age 50
When does renal blood flow reach adult levels?
In the neonate, RBF doubles in the first 2 weeks of life and achieves an adult level by 2 years of age
Trace the path of blood through the kidney, starting at the renal artery
Renal artery Renal segmental arteries Interlobar arteries Arcuate arteries Interlobular arteries Afferent arterioles Glomerular capillary bed Efferent arterioles (or filtration) Peritubular capillary bed Venules Interlobular veins Arcuate veins Interlobar veins Renal segmental veins Renal vein
Discuss the significance of renal autoregulation
The purpose of autoregulation is to ensure a constant amount of blood flow is delivered to the kidneys over a wide range of arterial BPs. Glomerular filtration becomes pressure dependent when MAP is outside the range of autoregulation.
- when renal perfusion is too low, RBF is increased by reducing renal vascular resistance.
- when renal perfusion is too high, RBF is reduced by increasing renal vascular resistance.
What is the range of RBF for autoregulation?
50 - 180 mmHg
Is urine output autoregulated?
No. It is linearly related to MAP about 50 mmHg
List the 6 mechanisms that carry out autoregulation. What 2 are the most important?
- Myotonic mechanism *
- Juxtaglomerular apparatus and tubuloglomerular feedback*
- Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
- Prostaglandins
- Atrial natriuretic peptide
- Sympathetic nervous system
Describe the myogenic mechanism of renal autoregulation
If the renal artery pressure is elevated, the myogenic mechanism constricts the afferent arterioles to protect the glomerulus from excessive pressure.
When the renal artery pressure is too low, the myogenic mechanism dilates the afferent arterioles to increase blood flow going to the nephron.
How does tubuloglomerular feedback affect renal autoregulation?
The juxtaglomerular apparatus is located in the distal tubule, specifically the region that passes between the afferent and efferent arterioles.
Tubuloglomerular feedback about the sodium and chloride composition in the distal tubule affects arteriolar tone. In turn, this creates a negative feedback loop to maintain renal blood flow.
The kidneys receive sympathetic innervation from what spinal levels?
T8 - L1
The SNS innervate s the afferent and efferent arterioles, what, if any, is the significance of this?
Under normal conditions the internal auto regulatory mechanisms override the external effects of the SNS, but in times of stress or when exogenous catecholamines are administered, the SNS cause reduce RBF.
How does the surgical stress response affect RBF?
The surgical stress response induces a transient state of vasoconstriction and sodium retention. This persists for several days, resulting in oliguria and edema. Vasoconstriction of the renal vasculature during this time predisposes the kidneys to ischemic injury and nephrotoxicity from drugs administered during the perioperative period.
What does the juxtaglomerular apparatus monitor? Where is it located?
Monitors renal perfusion and solute concentrate
Located in the distal tubule, specifically the region that passes between the afferent and efferent arterioles
What does the juxtaglomerular apparatus monitor in the distal tubule? What effect does this carry out?
Tubuloglomerular feedback about the sodium and chloride composition in the distal tubule affects arteriolar tone. In turn, this creates a negative feedback loop that adjusts renal vascular resistance and renin secretion in an effort to maintain RBF.
What 3 conditions increase renin release?
- Decreased renal perfusion pressure
- SNS activation
- Tubuloglomerular feedback
List 6 causes of decreased renal perfusion pressure than leads to increased renin release
Hemorrhage PEEP CHF Liver failure with ascites Sepsis Diuresis
List 2 causes of SNS activation that lead to increase renin release
Beta 1 stimulation via:
Circulating catecholamines
Exogenous catecholamines
How does the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism increase renin release?
The macula densa in the distal tubule contains chemoreceptors that monitor Na and Cl in the tubular fluid, when there is decreased sodium and chloride in the distal tubule renin release is increased
List the steps involved in the renin angiotensin aldosterone pathway
Decreased renal perfusion/ SNS activation/ Tubuloglomerular feedback
Renin release (from juxtaglomerular cells)
Converts angiotensinogen into angiotensin I
Ace from the lungs converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II
Angiotensin II leads to:
Vasoconstriction of the peripheral vessels
Vasoconstriction of the efferent arteriole
Aldosterone release from the adrenal gland
ADH release from the posterior pituitary
Na+ reabsorption in the proximal tubule
Thirst
Where is aldosterone produced, and what is its function?
Aldosterone is a steroid hormone that is produced in the zone glomerulosa of the adrenal gland.
By stimulating the Na/K-ATPase in the principal cells of the distal tubules and collecting ducts, aldosterone causes:
Na+ reabsorption
Water reabsorption
K+ excretion
The net effect of aldosterone increases blood volume but does not affect osmolarity. This is because the water follows sodium in direct proportions when it’s reabsorbed into the peritubular capillaries.
In addition to RAAS stimulation, aldosterone relapse is increased by what 2 things?
Hyperkalemia
Hyponatremia
List 2 disorders of aldosterone release
Conn’s disease occurs with excess aldosterone production. It causes sodium retention and potassium loss.
Inadequate aldosterone produced ion in isolation is uncommon. Addison’s disease is usually the result of adrenocortical insufficiency (destruction of all of the cortical zones).
Where is antidiuretic hormone produced, and what is its function?
ADH is produced in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. It is released from the posterior pituitary gland in response to:
- increased osmolarity of the ECF
- Decreased blood volume
What does osmolality measure?
Number of osmoles per kilogram of solvent
What does osmolarity measure?
Number of osmoles per liter of solvent
What is the principal determinant of osmolarity? What else is it affected by?
Sodium concentration*
Glucose
Blood urea nitrogen
What is the equation for serum osmolarity? What is the normal osmolarity?
Serum osmolarity = 2[Na] + (GLU/18) + (BUN/2.8)
Normal osmolarity = 280 - 290 mOsm/L
How does increased osmolarity of the ECF cause ADH release?
An increased ECF sodium concentration shrinks the osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus. This initiates the process of transporting ADH from the hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary gland. After this, ADH is released into the systemic circulation.
The thirst reflex is activated and antidiuresis prevents additional water loss. As the kidneys conserve water, the urine becomes more concentrated (osmolarity increases)
How does decreased blood volume lead to ADH release?
When blood volume declines, unloading of the baroreceptors in the carotid bodies, transverse aortic arch, great veins, and right atrium stimulate ADH release
How does ADH restore BP?
- ADH stimulates the V2 receptor in the collecting ducts (increases cAMP)
- under the direction of ADH, aquaporin-2 channels (water channels) are inserted into the walls of the collecting ducts
- this facilitates water reabsorption, reduces plasma osmolarity, and increases urine osmolarity
- the net result is an expansion of the plasma volume - ADH stimulates the V1 receptor and causes vasoconstriction in the peripheral vasculature (increase IP3, DAG, Ca+)
- the net result is an increased SVR
What is the half life of ADH?
5 - 15 minutes
What clinical situations increase ADH release?
While anesthetic agents to do directly affect ADH homeostasis, they do impact arterial blood pressure and venous blood volume. In turn, these changes increase ADH release: PEEP PPV HoTN Hemorrhage
List 3 mechanisms that promote renal vasodilation
- Prostaglandins (inhibited by NSAIDs)
- Atrial natriuretic peptide (increased RAP -> Na+ and water excretion)
- Dopamine-1 receptor stimulation (increased RBF)
What affect on RAAS do the 3 pathways that promote renal vasodilation have?
Renal vasodilation antagonizes the effects of RAAS on renal blood flow
Compare and contrast the location and function of dopamine 1- and 2 receptors.
DA1 receptors:
Location - renal vasculature, tubules
2nd messenger - increased cAMP
Function - vasodilation, increased RBF, increased GFR, diuresis, sodium excretion
DA2 receptors:
Location - presynaptic SNS nerve terminal
2nd messenger - decreased cAMP
Function - decreased NE release
Does dopamine improve outcome in acute kidney injury?
No. While dopamine increases UOP, there is no solid evidence to support that renal dose dopamine either prevents or treats AKI.
What is the mechanism of action of fenoldapam? Why is it used?
A selective DA1 receptor agonist that increases RBF.
Low dose fenoldopam 0.1 - 0.2 mcg/kg/min is a renal vasodilator and increases RBF, GFR, and facilitates Na+ excretion without affecting arterial BP.
It may offer renal protection during aortic surgery and during CPB.
Fenoldopam reduces the requirement for dialysis and in-hospital mortality in cardiac surgery patients.
How much of the renal blood flow is filtered at the glomerulus? Where does the rest go?
Renal blood flow = 1000 - 1250 mL/min
Glomerular filtration rate = 125 mL/min or 180 L/day or ~20% of RBF
The filtration fraction is 20%, this means that 20% of the RBF is filtered by the glomerulus and 80% is delivered to the peritubular capillaries
What is freely filtered by the glomerulus? (3)
Water
Electrolytes
Glucose
What prevents proteins from entering the glomerular filtrate?
The basement membrane of the glomerulus has a negative charge
Albumin has a negative charge
Glomerular filtrate is identical to the plasma except that it does not contain what? (3)
Plasma proteins
RBCs
WBCs