Renal Data Handling Exercise (18/11/13 prac)

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Renal Data Handling

Exercise (18/11/13 prac)

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In place of creatinine, inulin can be used to determine glomerular filtration rate. It is

more accurate than creatinine because creatinine is secreted (a small amount)

whereas inulin is exogenous and so is completely cleared. However, a person has

to be fully perfused with it. Still, given that it is fully excreted, the rate

at which glomerular filtration occurs is equivalent to the clearance of inulin.

·

Para-amino hippuric acid (PAH) is freely filtered by the

kidneys and not reabsorbed. Even the plasma that isn’t filtered is cleared of

PAH because the kidneys are so effective at secreting it as it passes along the

peritubular capillaries. So, given that ALL the plasma entering the kidneys is

cleared of PAH, the rate at which

plasma is flowing through the kidneys is equivalent to the clearance of

PAH.

o

If the haematocrit is known (the percentage of whole

blood that is cells), the renal blood

flow can be calculated.

Calculating

the renal function is significant in assessing the presence and/or severity of

kidney damage, be that due to infection, diabetic nephropathy, or any other

cause.

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