The tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) is one of the mechanisms by which the kidney regulates the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and blood pressure (BP). This overview will be very simple and will reveal the detail of the individual steps in subsequent posts.
- An increased GFR causes an increase in the delivery of sodium chloride to the distal convoluted tubule (DCT)
- The macula densa (MD) cells sense this sodium chloride increase
- ATP leaves the MD cells
- ATP is converted into adenosine
- Adenosine constricts the aferent arteriole and dilates the efferent arteriole, reducing the filtration pressure, which reduces GFR
- Adenosine also induce a reduction in renin secretion by juxtaglomerular (JG) cells, reducing BP, which will reduce GFR.
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