Analysis of Effect of Reduced Glomerular Capillary Filtration Coefficient on Glomerular Capillary Hydrostatic Pressure

The kidneys have several functions that help to provide homeostasis in the body. One of these functions is to eliminate metabolic waste products from the body. The other one is to control the volume and electrolyte concentration of the body fluids. The kidneys mainly perform these functions by filtering plasma, tubular reabsorption and tubular secretion. Urine formation begins with filtration of plasma through the glomerular capillaries into Bowman's capsule. Decreased glomerular capillary filtration coefficient (gcfc), which is a product of hydraulic conductivity and glomerular filtration area, causes a decrease in glomerular filtration rate. An example of this is chronic glomerulonephritis, which causes inflammation and thickening of the glomerular capillary membranes, reduces gcfc. In this situation, glomerular hemodynamic adaptations, which are an increase in glomerular capillary hydrostatic pressure and glomerular filtration rate, are observed in remaining nephrons. It is a hypothesis that hemodynamic adaptations in remaining nephrons cause eventually sclerosis in the long term. To observe hemodynamic response to a decrease in gcfc, a mathematical model of a cardiovascular system including two kidneys is used. In the model, gcfc of the one kidney is fixed at a healthy steady state value while decreasing gcfc of the other one. Simulation is performed for 10 days. As a response to a decrease in gcfc in the kidney, a sustained increase in glomerular capillary hydrostatic pressure in the collateral kidney with normal gcfc is observed during simulation.