Countercurrent Mechanism
Countercurrent Exchange
The exchange of a chemical substanceor heat between two fluids flowing inopposite directions.
Same current vs. Counter current
Fish Gills
Countercurrent Mechanism
Interaction between the flow of filtrate through theloop of Henle (countercurrent multiplier) and theflow of blood through the vasa recta bloodvessels (countercurrent exchanger)
Countercurrent multiplication expends energy tocreate a concentration gradient.
Countercurrent exchanger is similar, withdifferent mechanism, where gradients aremaintained but not established.
Loop of Henle: Countercurrent Multiplier
The descending loop of Henle:
Is relatively impermeable to solutes
Is permeable to water
The ascending loop of Henle:
Is permeable to solutes
Is impermeable to water (lack aquaporin)
Collecting ducts in the deep medullary regions arepermeable to urea.
Loop of Henle: Countercurrent Mechanism
2 Benefits ofCountercurrent Multiplication
1.Efficiently reabsorbs solutes and waterbefore tubular fluid reaches DCT andcollecting system
2.Establishes concentration gradient thatpermits passive reabsorption of waterfrom tubular fluid in the collecting ducts.
Countercurrent Exchanger
The vasa recta is a countercurrent exchanger that:
Returns solutes and water reabsorbed in medulla togeneral circulation without disrupting the medullary
concentration gradient
Provides oxygen and nutrients to medulla withoutwashing out of salts and maintain a high osmolalityat the inner medulla.
Osmotic Gradient in the Renal Medulla
Formation of Dilute Urine
Filtrate is diluted in the ascending loop of Henle.
Dilute urine is created by allowing this filtrate tocontinue into the renal pelvis.
This will happen as long as antidiuretic hormone(ADH) is not being secreted (Diabetes insipidus).
Formation of Dilute Urine
Collecting ducts remain impermeable to water,no further water reabsorption occurs.
Sodium and selected ions can be removed byactive and passive mechanisms.
Urine osmolality can be as low as 50 mOsm
(one-sixth that of plasma).
Formation of Concentrated Urine
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) inhibits diuresis.
This equalizes the osmolality of the filtrate and theinterstitial fluid.
In the presence of ADH, 99% of water in filtrate isreabsorbed.
Formation of Concentrated Urine
ADH-dependent water reabsorption is calledfacultative water reabsorption.
ADH is the signal to produce concentrated urine.
The kidneys’ ability to respond depends upon thehigh medullary osmotic gradient.
Formation of Dilute and Concentrated Urine
MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS OF THE KIDNEYS INHOMEOSTASIS
•Excretion of metabolic wasteproducts and foreign chemicals
•Regulation of water andelectrolyte balances
•Regulation of body fluidosmolality and electrolyteconcentrations
•Regulation of acid-base balance
•Regulation of arterial pressure
•Secretion, metabolism, andexcretion of hormones
•Gluconeogenesis
