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Updated: Apr 14, 2026

Physiology Lab Demonstration: Glomerular Filtration Rate in a Rat
Published on: July 26, 2015
Progress and controversies in unraveling the glomerular filtration mechanism
Turgay Saritas1, Christoph Kuppe, Marcus J Moeller
1Division of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany *Turgay Saritas and Christoph Kuppe contributed equally to the writing of this article.
Purpose Of Review:
At first sight, the glomerular filter appears like a problem that should be easily solved. The majority of researchers view the filter like an impermeable wall perforated by specialized and size-selective pores (pore model). However, the fact that this model is in conflict with many of the experimental findings suggests that it may not yet be complete.
Recent Findings:
In the more recent electrokinetic model, we have proposed including electrical effects (streaming potentials). The present review investigates how this can provide a relatively simple mechanistic explanation for the great majority of the so far unexplained characteristics of the filter, for example why the filter never clogs.
Summary:
Understanding how the glomerular filter functions is a prerequisite to investigate the pathogenesis of proteinuric glomerular diseases and the link between glomerular proteinuria and cardiovascular disease.
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