Exploration of pressure-natriuresis mechanisms using a lumped, two-nephron whole-kidney model

Abstract

We present a two‐nephron whole‐kidney model of salt and water balance, which represents the short and long nephron populations and the associated cortical and medullary vasculature. The aim is to provide a context with sufficient complexity to explore and compare proposed mechanisms and features of pressure‐natriuresis, including: (1) the effects of blood pressure (BP) on proximal tubule sodium transport; (2) the sensitivity of medullary blood flow (MBF) to renal perfusion pressure and consequences for natriuresis and diuresis; (3) perturbations of TGF and myogenic effects on glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Without addressing detailed kinetic transport mechanisms in different cell‐types al..