The hormone aldosterone regulates sodium levels in the blood. When the amount of sodium in the blood decreases, the amount of water entering the body decreases. Blood volume and blood pressure decrease. As a result, the juxtaglomerular sensory cells are stimulated and the renin enzyme is produced. Renin converts the blood plasma protein into the hormone angiotensin. The hormone angiotensin stimulates the secretion of the hormone aldosterone from the adrenal cortex. The hormone aldosterone stimulates the sodium-potassium pump of the renal tubular cells. In this, sodium enters the blood from the distal convoluted tubule and potassium enters the distal convoluted tubule from the blood. Increased sodium in the blood increases water absorption. As a result, blood volume and blood pressure increase.
Role of hormones in regulating urine concentration
The process of producing large amounts of concentrated urine is called diuresis and the opposite process is called antidiuresis. When the amount of water in the body increases, the blood becomes more liquid. The amount of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin in the blood decreases. Water reabsorption from the glomerular filtrate in the distal convoluted tubule ceases. As a result, the concentration of urine decreases and more urine is produced. It causes frequent and large amounts of urine to be passed out of the body. Low-concentration urine continues to be excreted until the water balance in the body is restored.
Again, dehydration occurs when excess water is lost through excess sweat and urine. It increases blood density. Osmoreceptors of the hypothalamus are stimulated due to this change in blood. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) production increases. ADH is released into the blood through the posterior pituitary gland in the process of neurosecretion. Water is reabsorbed from the glomerular filtrate by the distal convoluted tubule and returned to the blood. As a result, urine concentration increases and less urine is produced. It results in less number of times and less amount of urine is excreted from the body. More concentrated urine continues to be released until the water balance in the body.
Angiotensin-II
Angiotensin-II is an active peptide hormone. Angiotensin-I is secreted inactively from the liver. Inactive Angiotensin-I is then converted to active Angiotensin-II. It increases aldosterone hormone synthesis and secretion. Increases secretion of pituitary gland. Causes constriction of blood vessels and increases blood pressure. Stimulates sodium reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubule.
Atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH)
Atrial natriuretic hormone is secreted from the cells of the wall of the atrium of the heart. It increases renal sodium excretion and lowers blood pressure and blood volume. When excess blood flows into the atria, the heart wall expands. As a result, ANH is secreted from the heart wall. ANH dilates the afferent arterioles and increases the glomerular filtration rate. The collecting ducts of the nephron block sodium reabsorption. Renin inhibits angiotensin secretion.
Aldosterone hormone
Aldosterone hormone is produced from the cortex of the adrenal gland. It increases the ion and water reabsorption capacity of the kidney. Regulates renal sodium conservation, water retention and increased blood pressure.
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Antidiuretic hormone is produced from the pituitary gland. It is also called vasopressin. When the water level in the blood decreases, more ADH is secreted. It increases the water absorption capacity of the renal tubules. As a result, the volume of urine decreases and the concentration of urine increases. The quantity and number of urine released from the body decreases. On the other hand, when the water level in the blood increases, the amount of ADH secretion decreases. This reduces the water absorption capacity of the renal tubules. As a result, urine volume increases and urine concentration decreases. The quantity and number of urine released from the body increases. Human diabetes insipidus occurs when the ADH production of the pituitary gland decreases.
Hormonal Activities
Four hormones regulate urine concentration and blood sodium levels in humans.
1. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH): Antidiuretic hormone is produced from the pituitary gland. It is also called vasopressin. When the water level in the blood decreases, more ADH is secreted. It increases the water absorption capacity of the renal tubules. As a result, the volume of urine decreases and the concentration of urine increases. The quantity and number of urine released from the body decreases. On the other hand, when the water level in the blood increases, the amount of ADH secretion decreases. This reduces the water absorption capacity of the renal tubules. As a result, urine volume increases and urine concentration decreases. The quantity and number of urine released from the body increases. Human diabetes insipidus occurs when the ADH production of the pituitary gland decreases.
2. Aldosterone hormone: Aldosterone hormone is produced from the cortex of the adrenal gland. It increases the ion and water reabsorption capacity of the kidney. Regulates renal sodium conservation, water retention and increased blood pressure.
3. Atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH): Atrial natriuretic hormone is secreted from the cells of the wall of the atrium of the heart. It increases renal sodium excretion and lowers blood pressure and blood volume. When excess blood flows into the atria, the heart wall expands. As a result, ANH is secreted from the heart wall. ANH dilates the afferent arterioles and increases the glomerular filtration rate. The collecting ducts of the nephron block sodium reabsorption. Renin inhibits angiotensin secretion.
4. Angiotensin-II: Angiotensin-II is an active peptide hormone. Angiotensin-I is secreted inactively from the liver. Inactive Angiotensin-I is then converted to active Angiotensin-II. It increases aldosterone hormone synthesis and secretion. Increases secretion of pituitary gland. Causes constriction of blood vessels and increases blood pressure. Stimulates sodium reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubule.
Kiddey stone
Kidney stones are made of minerals. Oxalates, phosphates, carbonates etc. combine with calcium to form crystals. Calcium crystal is Kiddey stone. Kidney stones are surgically removed.
Duration of kidney transplanted
Survival of a transplanted kidney is one year – about 95%, five years – about 85-90%, ten years – about 75%.
Points to note in kidney transplantation
1. Blood group of kidney donor and recipient must be same.
2. Collected kidneys must be HIV free.
3. The nature of the kidney donor and recipient tissue must be the same.
4. Kidney must be implanted within 48 hours of collection.
5. Antibiotics should be taken after kidney transplant.