Week 2: Blood volume regulation Flashcards
What is the main method that activates the RAAS system?
Decreases arterial pressure leads to decreases renal perfusion, this is sensed by mechanreceptors in the afferent arterioles of the kidneys.
This causes prorenin to be converted to renin and released from juxtaglomerular cells
What are the minor methods that assists the activation of the RAAS system?
Stimulation of renal sympathetic nerves
Beta 1 agonists such as isoprotenerenol
What drugs can be used to inhibit activation of the RAAS system?
Beta antagonists such as propanolol
What is the function of renin?
Enzyme
Catalyses the converions of angiotensinogen to angiotensin 1
What is the role of angiotensin 1?
Precursor for angiotensin 2.
ACE-1 enzymes in the lungs and kidneys will catalyse this conversion.
What drugs can stop the conversion of angiotensin 1 to angiotensin 2?
ACE-1 inhibitos - such as capropril
** not essential
What receptors does angiotensin 2 target?
AT-1 receptors
These are type 1 G protein coupled receptors
What is the function of iosartan?
Is a drug that inhibits AT -1 receptors, prevents the actions of angiotensin 2 at the target tissues
** not essential
What are the different sites of action for angiotensin 2?
The hypothalamus
The adrenal cortex
The kidney
The arterioles
What is the impact of angiotensin 2 in the adrenal cortex?
Acts on the zona glomerulosa cells
Stimulates the secretion and synthesis of aldosterone.
What is the purpose of aldosterone in RAAS system?
Acts on the principle cells of the renal distal tubule and collecting duct to increase Na+ reabsorption - hence water reabsorpttion.
This requires gene transcription and new protein synthesis hence the effects appear hours to days afterwards
What is the impact of angtiotensin 2 on the kidney?
Stimulates Na+ H+ exchange in the renal proximal tubule
Increases the reabsoprtion of Na+ and HCO3-
What is the impact of angiotensin 2 on the hypothalamus?
Increase thirst - hence water intake
Stimulates ADH secretion - increases water reabsoprtion in the collecting ducts.
Complement the effects of aldosterone on Na+ reabsoprtion
What is the impact of angiotensin 2 on arterioles?
AT-1 G protein receptor activates IP3, Ca2+ second messenger system
To cause vasoconstriction.
increase in total peripheral resistance leads to an increase in arterial blood pressure
What are the additional effects of angiotensin 2 not on blood pressure?
Pro-inflammatory
Pro-fibrotic
Pro-oxidatve stress
Pro-proliferative
What is the role of ACE2?
Enzyme acts to converte angiotensin 2 to Ang1-7
These have the opposite effects to angiotensin 2, causing vasodilation, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, anti-proliferative and anti-oxidative stress.
Are thought to be the receptors used by SARS-COV-2 in causing coronavirus disease
What is the relationship between increased blood pressure and improving cardiovascular function?
Increase in blood volume
Results in an increase in venous return
By Frank-starling mechanism this leads to an increased cardiac output.
This increases blood pressure.
What is meant by glomerular filtration rate?
The rate of filtration from plasma in the glomerulus capillaries to Bowman space.
Sum of all nephrons
What controls glomerular filtrate rate?
Starling forces
Hence is vulnerable to changes in mean arterial blood pressure
What equation demonstrates the factors influencing the glomerular rate of filtration?
GFR = filtration co-efficienct (Kf) [(GC hydrostatic pressure - BS hydostatic pressure) - reflection co-efficient (GC oncotic pressure - BS oncotic pressure)]
BS = Bowman space
GC = glomerular capsule
Pie symbol should be used for oncotic pressure
P for hydrostatic pressure
What is meant by reflection co-efficient?
How does this related to the kidney?
sigma symbol σ
Is a degree of impermeability.
Scored from 0-1 with 1 being impermeable
In a healthy GFR this is normally quite high due to negative charge of BM - this prevents proteins passing through the filter
What is meant by the filtration co-efficient?
How does this related to the kidney?
Symbol is Kf
Is high in most individuals as kidney glomerulus need to be very leaky in order to carry out their function.
Describe the starling forces that allows filtrate to cross out of the glomerulus into the Bowmans space.
Filtration co-efficient is high - very leaky to fluid
GC - higher hydrostatic pressure than the Bowmans capsule.
Glomerulus has a higher oncotic pressure than bowmans capusle, but this difference is smaller than the difference in hydrostatic pressure
Leads to an overall outwards force
What is the Bowmans capsule oncotic pressure?
Zero - in a healthy individual no protein should make it over the filtration barrier
How is GFR kept within tight limits?
By autoregulation - not this is overruled when blood volume must change such as after haemorrhage or dehydration
How much plasma does the average kidney filter in aday?
180 L
How does the starling forces in the Glomerulus capillaries vary from the afferent to the efferent capillary?
Absolute oncotic pressure rises throught as no protein leaves the glomerulus but fluid is lost causing the concentration of protein to increase
The hydrostatic pressure remains constant throughout due to autoregulation mechanisms to control renal blood flow.
What percentage of total blood flow goes to the kidneys?
25%
What equations should be used to calculated blood flow to an area?
Flow = Pressure / resistance
How can flow rate to the kidneys be altered?
Changing mean arterial blood pressure
Alter resistance of the afferent and/or the efferent arteriole
What are the effects of changes in the diameter of the afferent arteriole on the GFR?
Dilation - increase hydrostatic pressure hence increase GFR
Constriction - decrease hydrostatic pressure hence decrease GFR
What are the effects of changes in diameter of the efferent arteriole on GFR?
Constriction - increase hydrostatic pressure - lead to an increased GFR
Dilation - decrease hydrostatic pressure - lead to a decreased GFR
What are the different factors that can alter to diameter of the afferent and efferent arteriole in the kidney?
Sympathetic nervous system
Angiotensin 2
Atrial and Brain Natriuretic peptide (BNP and ANP)
Prostaglandins
Dopamine
Nitric oxide
What are the effects of sympathetic nervous system on the diameter of the afferent and efferent arteriole?
Rapid onset of vasoconstriction
Prioritise stabilising the mean arterial blood pressure at sacrifice of GFR (e.g after hemorrhage)
Occurs by the renal sympathetic nerve activating alpha 1 receptors.
Note there is a higher conc of alpha 1 receptors on the afferent arteriole so this constricts more leading to an overall decrease in GFR
What is the effect of angiotensin 2 on GFR?
Increase GFR
Vasoconstriction of both afferent and efferent arterioles
Efferent is more sensitive to angiotensin 2 than afferent.
Low levels - conc of receptors does make a difference, increase GFR as efferent constricited more
High levels - conc of receptors does not makes a difference = decreased GFR, as efferent fully constricted and afferent becomes constricted - effect as if only afferent being constricted.
What is the effect of Brain and atrial natriuretic peptide of GFR?
Known as ANP and BNP
Dilation of afferent arteriole
Constriction of efferent arteriole
Dilatory effect is greater than constrictory effect
Overall leads to an increase in renal blood flow as decreases renal resistance and an increase in GFR
What effect do prostaglandins have on GFR/ kidney function?
Produced locally in the kidney
Cause vasodilation of both the afferent and efferent arteriole
Protective of renal blood flow as often produced alongside sympathetic activation and angiotensin 2
This is very important, as opposes constriction to ensure renal failure does not occur.
Maintain GFR
Use of NSAIDs can be very dangerous if haemorrhage ocurs