Distribution Kinetics of Urea Between Plasma and Red Blood Cells of Normal Human Blood

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Abstract
The distribution kinetics of urea between plasma and the red blood cells of normal human blood were investigated in vivo using [15N] urea and in vitro using [15N] urea and [14C] urea. The partition ratio of free exchangeable urea between the cell and plasma is the same as that of water distribution, showing the identical concentration (urea/ml water) of free urea in these 2 compartments of blood. However, a significant difference (18%) is observed in the specific activity ([15N] atom % excess) between the urea present in the cell and plasma compartments of blood. About 1/5 of the cell urea may not be in a freely exchangeable form. The fractional turnover rate of urea from the red blood cells is different from that of the plasma compartment, suggesting the relatively bound state of intracellular urea and its slow mobilization.

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