Autoregulation of Single Nephron Filtration Rate in the Presence and the Absence of Flow to the Macula Densa

Abstract

Flow of tubule fluid to the macula densa is part of a proposed feedback loop for autoregulation of glomerular filtration rate. In the present study, autoregulation of single nephron filtration rate was tested in the presence and the absence of flow to the macula densa in the rat. Filtration rates were measured at elevated arterial blood pressures caused by carotid occlusion and vagal section and at reduced renal perfusion pressures caused by partial aortic constriction. Measurements of single nephron filtration rate in the presence and the absence of flow to the macula densa were obtained by complete volume collections from the distal nephron beyond the macula densa and from the proximal tubule, respectively. Mean blood pressure was 130 ± 4 (SE) mm Hg for the initial collections, and renal perfusion pressure was 100 ± 1 mm Hg for the repeat collections (nine rats). Distal single nephron filtration rate was 42 ± 1 nliters/min at elevated perfusion pressure and 41 ± 1 nliters/min at reduced perfusion pressure; proximal single nephron filtration rate was 41 ± 1 nliters/min at elevated perfusion pressure and 41 ± 1 nliters/min at reduced perfusion pressure. Similarly, glomerular filtration rate was 4.6 ± 0.4 ml/min kg^-1 body weight and 4.7 ± 0.3 ml/min kg^-1 body weight at elevated and reduced perfusion pressures, respectively. Additional studies in seven dogs showed good correlation between autoregulation of single nephrons in the absence of flow to the macula densa and autoregulation of the micropunctured kidney. It is concluded that autoregulation of single nephron filtration rate is unaltered by interruption of tubule fluid flow to the macula densa.