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Related Concept Videos

Filtration and Urine Formation01:32

Filtration and Urine Formation

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The function of the kidneys is to filter, reabsorb, secrete, and excrete. Every day the kidneys filter nearly 180 liters of blood, initially removing water and solutes but ultimately returning nearly all filtrates into circulation with the help of osmoregulatory hormones. This process removes wastes and toxins but is also crucial to maintain water and electrolyte levels. Most of these functions are performed by the tiny but numerous nephrons contained within the kidneys.
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Drug Elimination by Renal Route: Tubular Reabsorption01:22

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During the process of renal excretion, as the glomerular filtrate progresses to the distal convoluted tubule (DCT), drugs that are highly permeable, lipophilic, and nonionized undergo passive reabsorption from the tubular fluid into the surrounding peritubular capillaries. This reabsorption process restricts their elimination through the kidneys. However, the majority of drugs are either weak acids or weak bases, and their ionization level is dependent on pH. By altering the pH of urine, the...
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Once the process of glomerular filtration is completed, blood carrying unfiltered drug molecules traverses through efferent arterioles and makes its way into the peritubular capillaries in the proximal tubule. A variety of carriers play a pivotal role in actively secreting drugs from these peritubular capillaries into the tubular fluid. The organic anion transporter transfers acidic drugs, against an electrochemical gradient, from the peritubular capillaries into the renal tubule cells and...
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Physiology of Urine Formation01:24

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Urine formation is an essential function of the human body. It plays a critical role in maintaining homeostasis by regulating the volume and composition of body fluids. The kidneys, the primary organs involved in this process, filter blood to remove waste products and excess substances, ultimately producing urine.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 10, 2025

Synthesis of an Intein-mediated Artificial Protein Hydrogel
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Superabsorbent Polymer Network Degradable by a Human Urinary Enzyme.

Minji Whang1, Hyeonji Yu1, Jungwook Kim1

  • 1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sogang University, 35 Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04107, Korea.

Polymers
|April 3, 2021
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces a novel degradable superabsorbent polymer (SAP) for diapers. Utilizing a human urinary enzyme, the new SAP breaks down naturally, addressing environmental waste concerns from traditional non-degradable SAP products.

Keywords:
biodegradable polymercleavable crosslinkerpoly (acrylic acid) (PAA)superabsorbent polymer (SAP)urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA)

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science
  • Biochemistry
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) are widely used in products like diapers due to high water absorption.
  • Conventional SAP is non-degradable, leading to significant environmental waste issues.
  • Diapers represent a major application and source of SAP waste.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel superabsorbent polymer (SAP) that is degradable by human urinary enzymes.
  • To address the environmental concerns associated with non-degradable SAP waste.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated three enzyme candidates modified with polymerizable groups as cleavable crosslinkers for SAP.
  • Identified urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) substrate as a suitable crosslinker.
  • Synthesized SAP using the uPA substrate as a cleavable crosslinker.

Main Results:

  • The developed SAP demonstrated slow degradation over several days in an aqueous solution containing uPA.
  • The SAP reached a shapeless state in approximately 30 days under physiological conditions.
  • Confirmed the efficacy of uPA-modified substrates as cleavable crosslinkers in SAP.

Conclusions:

  • Successfully created a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) degradable by a human urinary enzyme (uPA).
  • The new SAP offers a potential solution to the environmental burden of non-degradable SAP waste from products like diapers.
  • This innovation paves the way for more sustainable absorbent products.