Biophysical Journal 24: 629-643 (1978)
© 1978 the Biophysical Society

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Basmadjian, D Articles by Baines, A D Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Basmadjian, D Articles by Baines, A D

Examination of transport equations pertaining to permeable elastic tubules such as Henle's loop.

ABSTRACT

The transport equations applicable to loops of Henle and similar elastic permeable tubules were re-examined to assess the effect of radial transport resistance in the lumen and tubule geometry on solute transport. Active transport at the wall as well as external gradients equivalent to a 2--1,000-fold concentration increase per centimeter of distance were considered. Wall permeabilities and active transport constants were varied up to 2 . 10(-2) cm/s. It is shown that for conditions applicable to the loop of Henle, resistance to radial solute transfer in the lumen is negligible, both for passive and active transmural transport with concomitant water flux, and that axial dispersion further reduces that resistance. These conclusions apply equally to conical and elliptical geometries likely to arise in loop operation. The validity of Poiseuille's equation for these geometries is discussed. Ii is concluded that the one-dimensional transport equations are a valid representation of loop operation.