THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENTS TYPES OF FLIUDS ON THE RENAL SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION
The kidneys are the primary organ in the body responsible for maintaining homeostasis. They are
a key function to the human body because it regulates plasma volume, ionic composition,
osmolarity, pH, and removes metabolic waste products and waste substances. All these
regulations work together to maintain homeostasis in the body. The three main processes that
occur in the kidney are filtration, secretion, and reabsorption. Filtration occurs in the glomerular
capillaries in Bowmans space. Net glomerular filtration pressure is determined by the
glomerular capillary pressure, the fluid pressure in Bowmans space, and the glomerular capillary
osmotic force. The glomerular filtrate contains free low-molecular weight substances and
excludes larger proteins and red blood cells. The substances that are filtered through are found in
the same concentration in the filtrate as they are in the plasma. The filtrate then moves through
the tubular lumen where it can be reabsorbed or excreted.
Reabsorption is when substances from this filtrate move from the lumen to the interstitial space
and finally into the blood. Typically, a variety of substances are reabsorbed including sodium,
water, urea, and glucose. The extent that substances are reabsorbed depends upon their
mechanism of reabsorption, such as diffusion which occurs with urea and mediated transport
which glucose depends upon. Substances can further be moved into the filtrate in the tubular
lumen from the blood and interstitial space through the process of secretion. Hydrogen ions and
potassium are two of the most important substances that are secreted into the tubules (Widmaier,
Raff, & Strang, 2008). To understand how the kidneys are functioning, a urinalysis test is
performed on a urine specimen to detect the presence of various compounds in the sample
including leukocytes, blood, bilirubin, protein, and ketones. Urinalysis can be used in the clinical
setting to help in the diagnosis of a variety of diseases and the progression of chronic conditions
such as diabetes mellitus, urinary tract infections, and kidney infections (Vorvick, 2009).
There are three hormones that help the kidneys function properly and they are the Anti-Diuretic
Hormone (ADH), Aldosterone, and Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP). ADH is a vasoconstrictor
that elevates blood pressure, increases water reabsorption, plasma volume, urine specific
gravity, and decreases urine flow rate. When ADH is stimulated, it targets the distal tubule
and collecting duct, which causes the reabsorption of water. To inhibit ADH, the plasma
osmolarity must be low and both plasma volume and blood pressure must be high. The
Aldosterone is produced in the adrenal cortex. When a decrease in plasma osmolarity,
volume, and pressure occurs, it stimulates the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS),
which functions to increase sodium reabsorption through the distal tubule.
ANP is a hormone secreted by the cells in the Atria of the heart and is stimulated when an
increase in plasma volume and vast amounts of sodium is in the extracellular fluid; it inhibits the
reabsorption of sodium in the distal tubule and increases sodium excretion. The purpose of this

experiment was to determine the osmotic regulation of the kidneys in keeping fluid balance
in the body with the association of hormone regulation. The subjects were chosen at random
and placed into three different categories: water, water & ingested 7g of sodium chloride
(banana coated salt powder) and water & ingested 7g of sodium chloride. Within the 3 different
groups listed, the Water group should have a higher average urine flow rate compared to water &
ingested 7g of sodium chloride.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The subjects were chosen at random and placed into three different categories: water
(volunteer A), volunteer B drunk water & ingested 7g of sodium chloride (banana coated salt
powder) and volunteer C water & ingested 7g of sodium chloride. The volunteers were
compelled to ingest different regimes of salt and water levels and the urine of each subject was
collected at 30 minutes interval and was analyzed. To carry out the urine test, the total urine
voided volume was measured with a graduated cylinder and expressed milliliters excreted per
minute. Followed by determination of salt concentration and lastly the total grams of NaCL in
the urine collected from each volunteer at each 30 minute period and the sodium chloride
concentration (mg/ml) were calculated.

RESULTS
The following are the results which were obtained from the experiment.

Comparison of Three Types of Fluids in Average Urine Flow Rate vs. Time voided
6

Volunteer C

3 B
Volunteer

Average Urine Flow Rate (ml/mim)

Volunteer A

0
T= 0 T= 30 T= 60 T= 90 T= 120T= 150

Time of Void (min)

Figure 1. Comparison of Three Types of Fluids in Average Urine Flow Rate

vs. Time voided

Comparison of Three Types of Fluids on Salt Concentration in Urine (mg/ml)

25

20

15
Volunteer A

Salt Concentration in Urine (mg/ml)

Volunteer B
10

Volunteer C

Time Voided (min)

Figure 2. Comparison of Three Types of Fluids on Salt Concentration in Urine (mg/ml).

Comparison of Three Types of Fluids on Total Salt Concentration (g) in Urine

1.4

1.2

0.8
Volunteer A

Total Salt Concentration (g) in Urine 0.6

Volunteer B
Volunteer C

0.4

0.2

Time Voided (min)

Figure 3. Comparison of Three Types of Total Salt Concentrations (g) in Urine

DISCUSSION