Urea handling by the kidney and its adaptative mechanism during renal disease

Abstract

Urea is the principal final product of the proteic metabolism and excreted in large amount by the urine. Urea excretion is determined not only by glomerular filtration but also by tubular reabsorption. Both mechanisms play an important role in producing concentrated urine and the maintenance of the body water. The rapid movement of urea through the tubular epithelium and vascular endothelium is performed by UT-A and UT-B that generates and maintains a hypertonic medullar interstitium. Multiple factors can affect the handling of urea in acute and chronic renal failure. In uremia, kidney uses ways of urea excretion that may involve the regulation in the expression of UTs. The aim of this paper is to provide an update on the
mechanisms of adaptation induced by the uremia.

How to cite this article:

Zotta E, Ochoa F, Levy Yeyati N, Ibarra C. [Urea handling by the kidney and its adaptative mechanism during renal disease]. Rev Nefrol Dial Traspl. 2009;29(1):35-40.