Dec 27 2008
Kidneys and Ph Value
The body is very sensitive to pH value. Outside the pH range that is compatible with life, proteins are denatured and digested, enzymes lose their ability to function, and the body is unable to sustain itself. The kidneys maintain the acid-base balance in the regulation of pH of the blood plasma. Gains and losses of acid and base must be balanced. Acids are divided into “volatile acids” [13] and “fixed acids” [14]
The main point of control for maintaining the balance is renal excretion. The kidney is directed towards the retention of sodium excretion or through the action of aldosterone, antidiuretic hormone (ADH or arginine-vasopressin), atrial natriurétrico peptide (ANP) and other hormones. The ranges abnormal fractional excretion of sodium can lead to acute tubular necrosis or glomerular dysfunction.