Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

A High-throughput Method for Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Conscious Mice
Published on: May 10, 2013
Physicochemical determinants of human renal clearance
Manthena V S Varma1, Bo Feng, R Scott Obach
1Pharmacokinetics Dynamics and Metabolism, Pfizer Global Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, Connecticut, USA. manthena.v.varma@pfizer.com
Abstract:
Kidney plays an important role in the elimination of drugs, especially with low or negligible hepatic clearance. An analysis of the interrelation of physicochemical properties and the human renal clearance for a data set of 391 drugs or compounds tested in humans is presented. The data set indicated that lipophilicity shows a negative relationship while polar descriptors show a positive relationship with renal clearance. Analysis of net secreted and net reabsorbed subsets revealed that hydrophilic ionized compounds are probable compounds to show net secretion and a possible drug-drug interaction due to their likely interaction with uptake transporters and inherent low passive reabsorption. The physicochemical space and renal clearance were also statistically analyzed by therapeutic area. In conclusion, ionization state, lipophilicity, and polar descriptors are found to be the physicochemical determinants of renal clearance. These fundamental properties can be valuable in early prediction of human renal clearance and can aid the chemist in structural modifications to optimize drug disposition.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Drug's Physicochemical Properties and Plasma Levels
One important factor is the drug's molecular size. The kidneys readily excrete smaller molecules below 300 Daltons (Da). On the other hand, molecules weighing between 300 and 500 Da are excreted through both urine and bile. Larger molecules above 500 Da tend to be excreted less...
Renal Drug Clearance: Overview
Renal clearance can be calculated using different methods. One approach is to divide the urinary drug excretion rate by the plasma drug concentration. This method directly measures renal clearance, indicating the kidneys' efficiency in...
Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Drug Distribution and Drug Interactions
One important factor is the relationship between renal clearance and the apparent volume of distribution. Renal clearance tends to be inversely proportional to the apparent volume of distribution. Drugs with an extensive distribution volume or those...
Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
Renal Drug Clearance: Comparison Between Renal Excretion Methods
Renal clearance is often associated with the renal glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which represents the rate at which plasma is filtered through the glomeruli in the kidney. When drug reabsorption is minimal and there is no active secretion, renal clearance is closely related to the...
Determination of Renal Drug Clearance: Graphical and Midpoint Methods
The graphical method involves plotting the rate of drug excretion in urine against the plasma drug concentration. By analyzing the graph, the clearance can be calculated and obtained. Drugs rapidly excreted by the kidneys exhibit a...

