Formation of Urine (L3+4) Flashcards
(41 cards)
What is glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?
The rate at which glomerular filtrate is produced. It can be used as an indicator
What small molecules get filtered in the glomerulus?
- Electrolytes
- Amino acids
- Glucose
- Some drugs
What large molecules remain in the blood and don’t get filtered at the glomerulus?
- Red blood cells
- Lipids
- Proteins
- Most drugs
What two factors can have an effect on glomerular filtration?
- Renal blood flow
- Blood pressure
What is the sequence of what filtrate passes through during glomerular filtration?
1) Pores in the endothelium of the glomerular capillary
2) Basement membrane of the Bowman’s capsule
3) Epithelial cells of the Bowman’s capsule (podocytes) via filtration slits
What are the two theories of the auto regulation of renal blood flow (RBF)?
- Caused by the stretching of renal arterioles (myogenic)
- Caused by renal metabolites which modulate the contracting/dilation of the afferent and efferent arterioles
What causes afferent arteries to constrict and dilate?
- Constriction can be caused by noradrenalin, endothelin, adenosine and ADH
- Dilation can be caused by prostaglandins, NO and dopamine
What caused efferent arterioles to constrict and dilate?
- Constriction can be caused by angiotensin II
- Dilation can be caused by adenosine and NO
Where does glomerular filtrate enter?
Proximal tubule
Which small molecules get almost fully reabsorbed in the PT, and what is the driving force for this reabsorption?
- Glucose and amino acids
- Driving force is Na+/K+ ATPase
Which ion enters the blood from the PT via facilitated diffusion?
Cl-
What are aquaporins (AQP)?
Specific water channels in cell membranes that offer a transcellular route for water movement.
What are the 4 main renal APQs?
- AQP1 which is abundant in the proximal tubule
- AQP2 which is controlled by ADH and present on the apical surface of the collecting duct
- AQP3/4 which is in the basolateral surface of the collecting duct
How does glucose enter the blood from the PT?
By co-transport with Na+ via glucose transporters
How does glucose from the filtrate enter the PT?
Via sodium-glucose transporters (SGLTs) which also transport Na+ into the PT.
What are the two types of SGLT?
- SGLT1: High affinity but low capacity
- SGLT2: Low affinity but high capacity
What are SGLT2 inhibitors?
These are drugs that inhibit SGLT2, leading to less glucose being reabsorbed into the blood (hypoglycaemic effect). Therefore, it could be used to treat type II diabetes.
Examples of SGLT2 inhibitors?
- Dapagliflozin
- Canagliflozin
- Empagliflozin
(All end in gliflozin)
How are proteins reabsorbed from the PT?
- First get broken down into amino acids by lysosomes
- Then enter the blood
What is the role of specialised pumps in the PT?
To transport substances and drugs into the nephron that may not be able to enter normally due to their size or protein binding
What are the two stages of reabsorption in the loop of Henle (LOH)?
1) Extraction of water in the descending limb
2) Extraction of Na+ and Cl- in the ascending limb
Why is reabsorption more important in juxtamedullary nephrons than cortical nephrons?
Because they have longer loops of Henle
What are the differences between the thin descending limb and thick ascending limb?
- Thin descending limb is permeable to water via AQP1 whereas the thick descending limb is impermeable to water
- No active transport of salts in thin ascending limb but active transport occurs in thick ascending limb via NKCC2 co-transporters
What is the NKCC2 co-transporter?
Transports Na+, K+ and 2Cl- from the tubular fluid so that they can. then be absorbed into the blood.
