Influence of Hypoxia on Renal Circulation and on Excretion of Electrolytes and Water

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Abstract
Response of the kidney to hypoxia created by perfusion with venous blood obtained from the right ventricle was studied in anesthetized dogs. A pump aided in supplying the blood with an adequate head of pressure. The advantage of the method was that it permitted a specific hypoxia to be imposed upon the kidney with minimal disturbance to the organism as a whole. Blood oxygen content in different expts. varied from 6.7 to 15.9 vol. % during venous perfusion (avg. 10.7). The most consistent response was an increase in PAH clearance, in one instance as great as 92%, but averaging 22%. Renal vascular resistance showed a typical reduction during hypoxia. The nature of the hyperemia has not been elucidated. Creatinine clearance characteristically decreased by an avg. of 10%. The net effect was therefore a reduction in the filtration fraction. The usual response in the excretion of Na, K and water was an increase. Because excretion increased while filtration rate declined in several expts., the conclusion followed that hypoxia had impaired slightly the tubular reabsorptive processes of these substances.