News in Physiological Sciences, Vol 3, 189-193, Copyright © 1988 by International Union of Physiological Sciences
Renal Lymph: Vital for the Kidney and Valuable for the Physiologist
GG Pinter
Drainage of extravasated proteins from the interstitium is a vital function
of renal lymph. In addition, it has a valuable role as a source of
information about the renal interstitium. Information uniquely provided by
lymph allows characterization of macromolecular permeabilities of
postglomerular exchange vessels in the renal cortex under physiological
conditions and in disease, e.g., in experimental diabetes mellitus. Various
defense mechanisms are discussed that are instrumental in keeping the
balance between reabsorption of fluid from the tubules and uptake of
reabsorbed fluid by the peritubular capillaries. The role of lymph in these
mechanisms is highlighted.
