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Essentials of Clinical Nephrology (Shorouk Press, Cairo, 2000, ISBN ...

Essentials of Clinical Nephrology (Shorouk Press, Cairo, 2000, ISBN ...

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occurs by increasing its reabsorbsorption which will then lead to increase <strong>of</strong><br />

H + in the blood through the reaction H 2 CO 3 → H + + HCO 3 -. Also formation <strong>of</strong><br />

ammonia and secretion <strong>of</strong> titratable acids by renal tubules will decrease. This<br />

results in retention <strong>of</strong> H + in blood and tissue fluids with correction <strong>of</strong> alkalosis.<br />

In states <strong>of</strong> acidosis, in a patient with normal kidney, urine will be maximally<br />

acidic (less than 5.5) and in state <strong>of</strong> alkalosis the urine will be alkalotic.<br />

3. HEMOPOIETIC FUNCTION:<br />

Kidney has an important role in erythropioesis in the bone marrow<br />

through secretion <strong>of</strong> erythropoietin.<br />

Erythropoietin is a hormone <strong>of</strong> glycoprotein nature which regulates red blood<br />

cell development in the bone marrow. Ninety percent <strong>of</strong> erythropoietin is<br />

produced in renal cortex (by interstitial, tubular or endothelial cells). The main<br />

stimulus for erythropoietin secretion is tissue hypoxia, other stimuli are<br />

androgens, PGE, thyroid hormone and B-adrenergic agonists. Inability to<br />

secrete sufficient amount <strong>of</strong> erythropoietin as in chronic renal failure results in<br />

anaemia. In contrary, in conditions as renal artery stenosis, cystic kidney<br />

diseases and renal cell carcinoma, erythropoietin is secreted in excess<br />

resulting in polycythaemia (Erythrocytosis). Human recombinant erythropoietin<br />

is now commercially available for the treatment <strong>of</strong> anaemia in uraemic<br />

patients.<br />

4. ENDOCRINE FUNCTIONS OF THE KIDNEY:<br />

Many hormones and vasoactive substances are either formed, activated,<br />

or degraded by the kidney. Examples <strong>of</strong> these functions are:-<br />

A- Hormones synthesized by the kidney:-<br />

1. Renin (Fig. 1.1):<br />

This is secreted by cells <strong>of</strong> the iuxta-glomerular apparatus (see<br />

page 18). Renin will act on a circulating protein (angiotensinogen)<br />

changing it into angiotensin I which is then converted by<br />

converting enzyme into angiotensin II which has a vasopressor<br />

activity and also stimulates suprarenal gland to secrete<br />

aldosterone. This system (Renin- Angiotensin- Aldosterone) is <strong>of</strong><br />

great importance for the control <strong>of</strong> blood pressure and body fluid<br />

and electrolyte balance.

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