Know The Other Important Functions Of Kidney Besides Urine Excretion

We all know that kidney is the main excretory organ of the human body. But kidney performs several other functions besides that also. Today, I'm gonna tell in brief about those functions. I'll try not to go into fine details as that will be tough to understand and time-consuming at the same time.

You can check other Physiology facts by going to the link below -

• Physiology - Daily Dose.

1. Renin - Angiotensin system (RAS)

RAS plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure in our body.

• Decreased Sodium concentration causes a decrease in the renal blood flow. In simpler terms, blood flow to the kidneys is reduced. This, in turn, causes a reduction in the glomerular filtration rate.

• Such phenomenon stimulates "Juxtaglomerular cells" which in turn secrets Renin.

• Renin causes conversion of Angiotensin to Angiotensin I. Angiotensin converting enzyme from the lungs, converts Angiotensin I into Angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes vasoconstriction and your blood pressure increases. It also causes secretion of aldosterone.

2. Helping in the formation of red blood cells (RBC)

• Erythropoietin is a hormone which controls Erythropoiesis or the production of RBCs. Erythropoietin (EPO) is secreted by peritubular interstitial cells of the kidney.

• Decreased oxygen levels cause phosphorylation of "Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1-alpha)." Then HIF-1-alpha and "aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator" forms a heterodimeric transcription factor. This heterodimer enters causes formation of EPO-gene.

• EPO-gene increases EPO-mRNA formation. EPO-mRNA helps in the formation of Erythropoietin.

3. Buffer system

The increase of hydrogen ion concentration in your body is termed as acidosis (Decreased pH). The increase of bases in your body is termed as alkalosis (Increased pH). Kidney maintains body pH by following four buffer systems -

• Phosphate buffer system.

• Bicarbonate buffer system.

• Ammonia buffer system.

• Weak acid buffer system.

4. Vitamin D

The active form of Vitamin D is 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-DHCC). Enzyme 1-alpha-hydroxylase causes the conversion of 1,25-DHCC from 25-HCC. This particular enzyme is secreted by proximal convoluted tubule of the nephron in the kidney.

Conclusion

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• Fun Facts - Read To Get Surprised.
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As you can see from the above data, kidney performs many important functions in our body. If you wanna know in details about these functions, feel free to leave a comment below or contact us by going here - Contact Us.