The Concentration Of Urine - Renal System - Encyclopedia Britannica

Tubular secretion

The only difference between secretory and reabsorptive tubular mechanisms lies in the direction of transport; secretory mechanisms involve the addition of substances to the filtrate from the plasma in the peritubular capillaries. The small amount of secretion that does occur, except for the secretion of potassium and uric acid, takes place in the proximal tubule. Hydrogen ions are also secreted and ammonia is generated, but they are special cases and are discussed below under Regulation of acid-base balance. As in the case of reabsorption, secretion occurs both passively and actively against an electrochemical gradient.

Several drugs are actively secreted, and some of these appear to share a common pathway so that they may compete with each other for a limited amount of energy. This may be turned to therapeutic advantage in the case of penicillin, which is eliminated partly by tubular secretion. The drug probenecid, which can be given simultaneously, competes with penicillin at its secretory site and thus helps to raise the level of penicillin in the blood in the treatment of certain infections. Endogenous (originating within the body) compounds that are secreted also include prostaglandins, bile salts, and hippurate. Uric acid derived from nucleoproteins freely passes the glomerular barrier and is normally largely reabsorbed in the proximal tubule. In some circumstances, however, it is also secreted by other parts of the same convoluted tubule.

The secretion of potassium by the distal tubule is one of the most important events in the kidney as its control is fundamental to the maintenance of overall potassium balance. More than 75 percent of the filtered potassium is reabsorbed in the proximal tubule and in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle, and this percentage remains virtually constant, irrespective of how much is filtered. The amount eliminated in the urine, which is ultimately determined by the dietary intake, is controlled by the distal convoluted tubule. In persons consuming a normal diet, probably about 50 percent of the urinary potassium is secreted into the urine by the distal tubules; this amount can be adjusted according to body need. One of the several factors that influence potassium secretion is a hormone secreted by the cortex of the adrenal gland, aldosterone. In the absence of aldosterone and other mineralocorticoids (adrenocortical steroids affecting electrolyte and fluid balance), potassium secretion is impaired, and potentially dangerous amounts can accumulate in the blood. Excess aldosterone promotes potassium excretion.