Core curriculum in nephrology: disorders of sodium and water
CORE CURRICULUM IN NEPHROLOGY Disorders of Sodium and Water
● Na intake controlled by Na appetite, dietary
COMPOSITION OF BODY FLUIDS
● Typical Western diets contain 2 to 6 g of Na
Total Body Water (TBW)
● Na elimination regulated by factors that
● Two thirds of TBW is inside cells (intracel-
● One third of TBW is outside cells (extracel-
Mechanisms of Renal Na Excretion Solute Composition of Body Water (H O)
● Na freely filtered (ϳ25 mol/d in healthy
● Ͼ99% reabsorbed; normal fractional Na
● About 65% reabsorbed along proximal tu-
along distal convoluted tubule (DCT), and
● Primary energetic driving force for Na (and
other solute) reabsorption is Na/K adeno-
ECF and ICF are in osmotic equilibrium, at
● Na reabsorption along PT is mediated partly
PHYSIOLOGY OF Na BALANCE
● H O, but not solute, removed from thin
descending limb of Henle loop, increasing
Background
● Definition: Na balance is difference be-
tween intake (usually oral or intravenous)
● Na, but not H O, reabsorbed along thin and
and excretion (usually renal, gastrointesti-
thick ascending limbs of Henle loop, thereby
diluting tubule fluid; along thick ascendinglimb, Na traverses an apical Na-K-2Clcotransport pathway (NKCC2)
From the Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrol-
● Na, but not H O, reabsorbed along DCT,
ogy and Hypertension, and the Department of Physiology
predominantly via an apical Na-Cl cotrans-
and Pharmacology, Oregon Health and Science University,and VA Medical Center, Portland, OR.Received September 22, 2004; accepted in revised form
● Na reabsorbed along connecting tubule and
CD, largely via an apical Na channel (ENaC)
Originally published online as doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2005.03.023Regulation of Renal Na Homeostasis Address reprint requests to David H. Ellison, MD, Head,Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Professor of
● Renal Na homeostasis responds to “effec-
Medicine and Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Healthand Science University, PP 262, 3314 SW US Veterans
virtual volume that reflects “fullness” of
Hospital Rd, Portland, OR 97239. E-mail: ellisond@
● Na reabsorption varies inversely with arte-
2005 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.
rial pressure, a phenomenon called “pres-
0272-6386/05/4602-0022$30.00/0doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2005.03.023American Journal of Kidney Diseases, Vol 46, No 2 (August), 2005: pp 356-361
● Na reabsorption along PT regulated by
peritubular protein concentration and other
“physical factors”; increase in filtration
along collecting duct, under typical condi-
fraction (glomerular filtration rate/renal
● Proximal reabsorption is isosmotic, so rates
pressure to increase, stimulating reabsorp-
● H O reabsorbed along descending limb of
This link between filtration and reabsorp-
loop of Henle, driven by medullary hyperto-
● Proximal Na reabsorption (largely NHE3)
● Solute, not H O, reabsorbed along ascend-
ing limbs; ascending limb thus dilutes urine
angiotensin II; circulating angiotensin II
● Solute, not H O, reabsorbed along DCT;
levels are regulated by renin, secreted by
● H O variably reabsorbed along cortical and
medullary collecting ducts, via a regulated
ascending limbs of Henle loop NaCl concen-
● Na reabsorption along second half of DCT,
Regulation of Renal H O Excretion
the connecting tubule and CD (collectively
● Urinary osmolality typically ranges be-
termed the “aldosterone-sensitive distal
nephron”), regulated by aldosterone, which
● Countercurrent multiplication generates
stimulates ENaC (abundance and/or activ-ity) and NCC; aldosterone secretion regu-
medullary hypertonicity in part via Na-K-
Natriuretic peptides stimulate guanylyl cy-
clase along CD, generating cyclic guanosine
monophosphate and inhibiting apical cation
channels; natriuretic peptides also increase
glomerular filtration rate; atrial natriuretic
● Tubule fluid leaving loop of Henle is al-
peptide secretion stimulated by atrial stretch
● Arginine vasopressin (AVP), the antidi-
PHYSIOLOGY OF H O BALANCE Background
(usually oral or intravenous) and excretion(usually renal, gastrointestinal, perspira-
● H O intake controlled by thirst, taste, habit,
and physicians; thirst regulated partly by
● Typical H O intake ranges from 1 to 5 L/d
● H O excretion regulated by factors that
losses (insensible, perspiratory, and gastro-
Ⅲ AVP activates V2 receptors on basolat-
Ⅲ AVP stimulates adenylyl cyclase in CD
Mechanisms of Renal H O Excretion
● H O freely filtered at glomerulus (ϳ150
ral deafness (resulting from defi-ciency in Cl channel  subunit,
1. Nielsen S, Frokiaer J, Marples D, Kwon TH, Agre P,
Knepper MA: Aquaporins in the kidney: From molecules to
2. Andreoli TE: Water: Normal balance, hyponatremia,
and hypernatremia. Ren Fail 22:711-735, 2000
3. Reeves WB, Andreoli TE: Sodium chloride transport in
the loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and collecting
duct, in Seldin DW, Giebisch G (eds): The Kidney: Physiol-
ogy and Pathophysiology, chap 50. Philadelphia, PA, Lippin-
cott Williams & Wilkins, 2000, pp 1333-1370
4. Blantz RC, Gabbai FB: Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone
system, in DuBose T, Hamm LL (eds): Acid-Base and
Electrolyte Disorders, chap 16. Philadelphia, PA, Saunders,
□ Renal disease, especially interstitial
Treatment DISORDERS OF Na BALANCE
● Identify and treat underlying disease
Background
● Na balance disorders are disorders of ECF
● Fludrocortisone (synthetic mineralocorti-
● Serum Na concentration may be high, low,
Hypervolemia
● Occurs when Na retention is “inappropriate”
Hypovolemia Causes Primary Na retention
● Reviewed in Core Curriculum in Nephrol-
Secondary Na retention
● Congestive heart failure; secondary to inad-
equate cardiac output or diastolic dysfunc-
● Cirrhosis of liver; secondary to systemic
● Nephrotic syndrome; mixed, resulting from
intrinsic stimulation of renal NaCl reabsorp-
Diagnosis.
● Physical examination (edema, ascites, jugu-
lar pressure, pulmonary crackles, S , oth-
● Laboratory (brain natriuretic peptide
1. Ellison DH: Diuretic therapy and resistance in conges-
tive heart failure. Cardiology 96:132-143, 2001
Treatment
2. Ellison DH: Salt-wasting disorders, in DuBose T,
Hamm LL (eds): Acid-Base and Electrolyte Disorders, chap
18. Philadelphia, PA, Saunders, 2002, pp 311-333
● Restrict Na intake (keep intake Ͻ100
3. Hebert SC: Bartter syndrome. Curr Opin Nephrol
4. Okusa MD, Ellison DH: Physiology and pathophysiol-
ogy of diuretic action, in Seldin DW, Giebisch G (eds): The
Kidney: Physiology and Pathophysiology, chap 103. Phila-
Ⅲ Loop diuretics usually first line for
delphia, PA, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2000, pp2877-2922
5. Meneton P, Oh YS, Warnock DG: Genetic renal tubular
disorders of renal ion channels and transporters. Semin
6. Palmer BF, Alpern RJ, Seldin DW: Physiology and
pathophysiology of sodium retention, in Seldin DW, Gie-
bisch G (eds): The Kidney: Physiology and Pathophysiol-
ogy, chap 54. Philadelphia, PA, Lippincott Williams &
7. Schrier RW, Gurevich AK, Cadnapaphornchai MA:
Pathogenesis and management of sodium and water reten-
tion in cardiac failure and cirrhosis. Semin Nephrol 21:157-
8. Warnock DG, Textor SC: Hypertension [Core Curricu-
lum in Nephrology]. Am J Kidney Dis 44:369-375, 2004
DISORDERS OF H O BALANCE
Ⅲ CD diuretics (spironolactone, eplerenone,
Background
● Are manifested by changes in serum osmo-
● Are classified on the basis of ECF volume
Hyponatremia Factitious (normotonic) hyponatremia
● Results from laboratory artifact (high con-
Ⅲ Proximal tubule diuretics (carbonic anhy-
Hypertonic hyponatremia
free H O from cells ([Na] declines by ϳ1.6
Hypotonic hyponatremia Dilutional. Urine is dilute (Ͻ100 mOsm/kg
Ⅲ Combine diuretic classes if resistance
● H O intake exceeds dilutional capacity
(“psychogenic polydipsia,” requires as much
as 12 L/d in normals); treatment is to reduceH O intake
● Dilutional capacity limited by low solute
intake (“beer drinkers potomania”); treat-
ment is to reduce intake and increase solute
Hypovolemic. Urine is concentrated:
● Urine [Na] is usually Ͻ20 mEq/L, except
with diuretic drugs and salt wasting, where
it is inappropriately elevated; urine [Cl]
appropriately (eg, sweat or gastrointesti-
nal); losses replaced with hypotonic fluids,
● Diagnosis: by history, physical examination
Hypervolemic. Urine concentrated, Na often
(orthostatic hypotension, low jugular ve-
● AVP secreted because “effective arterial
blood volume” reduced (ECF volume defi-
laboratory (high hematocrit and serum pro-
cits, when severe, overcome AVP inhibition
● Causes include congestive heart failure,
Euvolemic. Urine is concentrated; urine [Na]
cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, kidney fail-
● Syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion
● Treatment includes oral H O restriction
● Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
● Aquaretics (V2 receptor antagonists, cur-
rently investigational drugs) may be useful
● Hypothyroidism or glucocorticoid insuffi-
● Diagnosis: by history, absence of signs of
Hypernatremia
volume depletion or overload, and labora-
Hypervolemic Hypodypsic
Aggressiveness of treatment depends onseverity, chronicity, and symptoms
● Usually only when it occurs with other
Ⅲ “Rapid” treatment for symptomatic and
to increase no more than 12 mEq/L infirst 24 h
H O loss 2
Ⅲ ϾOsmotic diuresis (osmotic diuresis, post-
● H O deprivation test for hypernatremia
associated with dilute urine (restrict H O
Ⅲ Diabetes insipidus (dilute urine, urine Na
consecutive urine osmolalities within 10%;
patient for signs of excess volume deple-
Ⅲ Response to exogenous vasopressin de-
● Plasma vasopressin levels correlated with
plasma and urinary osmolality often needed
Treatment Diagnosis
● Hypovolemic hypernatremia, with saline
History; history of exertion, fever, thirst,
● Deficit Ϸ current body H O ϫ (actual
Physical examination: signs of EABV deple-
● Aim to correct at Ͻ0.5 mEq/L/h and usu-
● Note that ongoing free H O excretion both
1. Andreoli TE: Water: Normal balance, hyponatremia,
and hypernatremia. Ren Fail 22:711-735, 2000
2. Palmer BF, Gates JR, Lader M: Causes and manage-
ment of hyponatremia. Ann Pharmacother 37:1694-1702,
3. Adrogue HJ, Madias NE: Hypernatremia. N Engl J Med
If this value has negative sign, it represents
4. Adrogue HJ, Madias NE: Hyponatremia. N Engl J Med
Copyright 2003. American Cavy Breeders Association. All rights reserved ANTIBIOTICS What I Use I will discuss the commonly used antibiotics forkidneys and can potentially cause fatal antibiotic-cavies and describe several medical situations where Iinduced diarrhea in cavies. I personally use Amikacinwould, or have, used them. I must point out that eachbecause its side effects are report
ISMP’s List of Error-Prone Abbreviations, Symbols, and Dose Designations he abbreviations, symbols, and dose designations found in this tableThe Joint Commission (TJC) has established a National Patient T have been reported to ISMP through the USP-ISMP Medication Safety Goal that specifies that certain abbreviations must appear onError Reporting Program as being frequently misinterpr