Glomerular Filtration Rate

 

GFR

• The quantity of glomerular filtrate formed each minute in all the nephrons of both kidneys

• 125 ml/min [normal] —> 180 liters/day

• over 99% of filtrate is reabsorbed —> approx 2 liters urine

 

 

FACTORS THAT AFFECT GFR

 

• GFR = Filtration pressure x filtration constant

• Filtration pressure =  Glomerular pressure — (Bowman’s pressure + Glomerular COP)

 

• Filtration constant does not change except in diseased kidneys

• Glomerular filtration is dependent on:

 i) Glomerular blood pressure: average pressure in glomerular capillaries, tends to push fluid out of the glomerulus into Bowman’s capsule. Approx 60 mmHg.

 ii) Bowman’s Capsule pressure: resists movement of fluid out of glomerulus into Bowman’s capsule. Approx 18 mmHg

 iii) Glomerular colloid osmotic pressure:  tends to increase as plasma protein free plasma is fitered into the capsule. Resists movement of fluid into capsule. Approx 32 mmHg

 

a) effect of renal blood flow on GFR

• increased RBF —> reduce tendency of rising glomerular COP to resist filtration through glomerulus —> increased GFR

[is this the rationale for flow, not pressure being important in maintaining urine production?]

 

b) effect of afferent arteriolar constriction on GFR

• afferent arteriolar constriction —> decrease RBF & decrease glomerular pressure —> decreased GFR

 

c) effect of efferent arteriolar constriction on GFR

• efferent arteriolar constriction —> increased resistance to outflow from glomeruli:

 i) —> increased glomerular pressure —> increased GFR

 ii)—> decreased RBF —> increased glomerular COP —> decreased GFR

‑>  net effect ?

 

e) effect of sympathetic stimulation on GFR

• sympathetic stimulation —> preferential afferent arteriolar constriction —> decrease RBF & decrease glomerular pressure —> decreased GFR

 

f) effect of arterial BP on GFR

• Increased BP —> automatic afferent arteriolar constriction [autoregulation]:

 i) —> decrease RBF —> decreased GFR

 ii)—>  attenuated increase in glomerular pressure

θ    slight increase in GFR —> large increase in urine production

 

K. C. Potger
Copyright © 2001