Simulation of the Profile of Water, NaCl, and Urea Transport in the Countercurrent Multiplication System between Thin Ascending Limb and Inner Medullary Collecting Duct

Abstract

We simulated the profiles of water, NaCl, and urea transport in the countercurrent multiplication system between thin ascending limb (TAL) and inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) by a mathematical model consisting of three compartments (TAL, IMCD, and CNW [capillary network]), using phenomenological coefficients for hamsters. They are separated by two membranes with distinct permeability properties. The primary driving force which generates “single effect” has a lower reflection coefficient for urea than for NaCl in IMCD. The difference in urea and NaCl concentrations between CNW and IMCD provides an effective osmotic driving force which is favorable for water absorption from IMCD without physicochemical osmotic gradient. The entry of water in the CNW reduces the concentration in CNW and generates the concentration gradients which are favorable for these solutes to diffuse out of TAL. Thus, the fluid in IMCD is concentrated and that in TAL is diluted. The results of simulation showed that the concentration gradients were generated along the medullary axis, resulting in excretion of hypertonic urine. In addition, we examined effects of changes in phenomenological coefficients of IMCD on this concentrating system. Decreases in permeability and in reflection coefficient for urea and increase in hydraulic conductivity increased the osmotic gradients along each compartment.-urine concentration mechanism; countercurrent multiplication system; inner medullary collecting duct; thin ascending limb. © 1992, Tohoku University Medical Press. All rights reserved.