Physiologic Responses of the Transplanted Human Kidney

Abstract

The denervated, transplanted kidneys of six patients who had received kidneys from live, related donors (one identical twin) were able to maintain normal sodium balance. Peripheral plasma renin activity on a high-salt diet was 354 ± 28 mμg of angiotensin ∥ (±SE) in the donors and 291 ± 39 mμg per 100 ml in the recipients. Renin activity (low-salt diet) averaged 620 ± 50 mμg in the donors and 700 ± 52 mμg per 100 ml in the recipients. Aldosterone secretory rates were normal in the patients studied as were exchangeable sodium, potassium and body water. The denervated, transplanted human kidney can maintain clearance comparable with the donor kidney, and sodium regulation and renin secretion as evaluated in this study appear to be normal.