Drugs that treat hypertension, or high blood pressure, have th...

Question

Drugs that treat hypertension, or high blood pressure, have the following actions. Discuss the specific effect that each drug will have on the kidneys.

c. Blocking the Na+/Cl−/2K+ transport pumps in the thick ascending limb of the nephron loop

Accepted Answer

Hello, everyone and welcome. Our next problem says which of the following is not considered one of the results of blocking the sodium chloride. Two potassium transport pumps in the loop of Henley A electrolyte imbalance B, altered water reabsorption. C increased osmolarity of the interstitial fluid or d decreased potassium reabsorption. So this question takes a little bit of thinking through. You've got the loop of Henley, you've got ions and water moving around, you've got um concentration ingredients. And above all, you have one of these not questions when you're moving quickly on a test, it can be really easy to get turned around and accidentally pick an answer. That is one of the results because it looks correct. So definitely want to make notes for yourself or really kind of highlight highlight in blue that we're looking for. Essentially an incorrect answer. Something that's not a consequence. So first of all, let's keep straight what's happening in the area we're talking about. So these ion pumps that pump sodium ions, chloride ions and potassium ions in the loop of Henley. This is taking place in the thick ascending limb and this region of the loop of Henley is the thick ascending limb where these pumps are, this area is impermeable to water. So water is no longer leaving that occurs on the descending limb. It's also perme ions, but ions are being actively pumped out of the renal tubule in this area by these pumps into the interstitial fluid. So as we move up this limb, the concentration of solute in the filtrate is getting lower because water is not leaving, it's staying in. But ions solutes are being pumped out. So let's think about the results of what happens if we block the action of these pumps, we can no longer pump ions out of the filtrate. So choice A says electrolyte imbalance. Well, if the usual condition of the body is to be reabsorbing these ions as they get pumped out, yes, this will be a result. So I'm going to put a big yes in red to help me. Remember this is a result, but that's wrong. That means it's not my answer. So we'll cross out choice. A it causes electrolyte imbalance because you have lower reabsorption of sodium potassium and chloride, which can lead to electrolyte imbalances in the body. Hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypochloremia levels that are too low because the body is dependent on the system operating as it normally does. Choice B says altered water reabsorption. Well, it isn't going to affect the water reabsorption right in this area because as we said, this is impermeable to water. There's not water exchange happening through the walls of the renal tubule at this point. However, the pumping of these ions out into interstitial fluid is what allows the medulla to have this osmotic gradient set up. And absorption of water in other parts of the Nephron is absolutely dependent on that gradient. So this is a yes in red, it's an effect of blocking the pump, the pump because you would affect the osmotic gradient which would then affect water reabsorption. So it cant be our answer. Choice. C says increased osmolarity of the interstitial fluid. Well, we know because we were just discussing that this will affect the osmolarity of that interstitial fluid surrounding our renal tubules. But is we're told specifically that it increases the osmolarity. Is that an effect? Well, we no longer have these ions, this these solus being pumped into the interstitial fluid. So that would actually cause a decreased osmolarity of that fluid. Remember again, this is the osmolarity of the interstitial fluid, not the osmolarity of the fluid in the renal tubule. So choice C is not an effect. We'll write no but no is the answer we're looking for. Again, writing down these notes can really help you keep this straight rather than hurriedly picking one that oh yes, this is an effect. Forgetting that you're looking for the opposite. When we overlook the whole question, we see we only have one choice that's not in effect. And that would help us remember. But if we were in a rush, we might just seize on choice A and go on in choice D decrease potassium reabsorption. Well, yes, that would be in effect as potassium is no longer being pumped out of the renal tubule, it's not being absorbed reabsorbed into the body. So choice D is in effect and therefore not our answer. So once again, the one of these choices that is not a result of blocking the sodium chloride, potassium transport pumps in the loop of Henley is choice C increased osmolarity of the interstitial fluid. See you in the next video.

Drugs that treat hypertension, or high blood pressure, have the following actions. Discuss the specific effect that each drug will have on the kidneys.
c. Blocking the Na+/Cl−/2K+ transport pumps in the thick ascending limb of the nephron loop

Key Concepts

Nephron Structure and Function

Na+/Cl−/2K+ Transport Pumps

Effects of Diuretics on Blood Pressure

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