[Electrolyte- and urea concentration profiles of the kidney in experimental asymmetric glomerulonephritis (author's...

Bilateral studies on kidney function concerning the electrolyte and urea concentration-profiles in renal medulla were performed in experimental unilateral acute glomerulonephritis in rabbits.

1. Both in the intact and in the glomerulonephritic kidneys sodium is concentrated mainly in the outer medulla and urea in the inner medulla. 2. In the glomerulonephritic kidneys the reduction of the filtered load seems to impair the regions of mainly passive concentrating mechanisms more than those of mainly active transport mechanisms. 3. Potassium gradients are not involved, the tissue concentrations of the glomerulonephritic kidneys however are diminished by 20 %. 4. According to the decreasing interstital electrolyte and urea gradients the osmolarity of the collecting ducts of the glomerulonephritic kidneys are diminished. These results support the conclusion, that the urinary concentrating defect in Masuginephritis is due mainly to the unability to concentrate urea.