Glomerulotubular balance, tubuloglomerular feedback, and salt homeostasis

J Am Soc Nephrol. 2008 Dec;19(12):2272-5. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2007121326. Epub 2008 Mar 5.

Abstract

The homeostasis of NaCl is critical to complex organisms with closed blood systems. Kidneys regulate this salt excretion by modulating the rapport between glomeruli and tubules. The tubules respond to glomeruli with glomerulotubular balance, whereas glomeruli respond to tubules through tubuloglomerular feedback. These relationships are dynamic, mysterious, and amenable to mathematical analyses. The biology underlining what is known about these interactions is observational, fragmentary, and somewhat inconclusive. Discussed here is a simple tethering of these interrelated concepts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Glomerular Filtration Rate
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Kidney Glomerulus / metabolism*
  • Kidney Tubules / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Nephrons / physiology
  • Salts / metabolism
  • Sodium Chloride / metabolism*

Substances

  • Salts
  • Sodium Chloride