Renal function before and after unilateral nephrectomy in renal donors

Abstract

Measurements of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), effective renal plasma flow (ERPF), tubular maximum reabsorption of glucose (Tm(glucose)) and secretion of para aminohippurate (Tm(PAH)), clearance of inorganic phosphate (C(phosphate)) and uric acid (C(uric acid)), urine diluting capacity (C(H2O)) and urinary net acid excretion (U(H)+V) were made before and 10 to 14 days after unilateral nephrectomy in seven healthy renal donors. Comparisons were made between the functions of the remaining kidney and 50% of preuninephrectomy values. Mean post uninephrectomy GFR increased by 37%, and mean ERPF, 55%. Tm(glucose), Tm(PAH), C(phosphate), C(uric acid), C(H2O), U(H)+V increased significantly, after uninephrectomy. The increase in Tm(PAH), Tm(glucose) and C(H2O) is proportional to the rise in GFR while the increase in C(phosphate), C(uric acid) and U(H)+V is proportionally greater than the increase in GFR. The changes in post uninephrectomy renal handling of phosphate are not due to an increase in parathyroid hormone secretion.