Goldblatt kidney

Goldblatt kidney refers to a model of hypertension induced by the constriction of the renal artery in experimental animals. This model is named after the American physiologist Harry Goldblatt, who first described it in 1934. The Goldblatt kidney model is used to study the mechanisms of renal hypertension and the role of the renin-angiotensin system in blood pressure regulation.

Mechanism

The Goldblatt kidney model involves the partial constriction of one renal artery using a clamp or other device, which reduces blood flow to the affected kidney. This reduction in blood flow leads to the activation of the renin-angiotensin system, resulting in the release of renin from the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney. Renin then converts angiotensinogen to angiotensin I, which is subsequently converted to angiotensin II by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor and stimulates the release of aldosterone, leading to increased blood pressure.

Types of Goldblatt Kidney Models

There are two main types of Goldblatt kidney models:

• Two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) model: In this model, one renal artery is constricted while the other kidney remains untouched. This setup allows the non-constricted kidney to compensate for the changes in blood pressure and volume.
• One-kidney, one-clip (1K1C) model: In this model, one kidney is removed, and the remaining kidney's artery is constricted. This model is used to study the effects of renal artery constriction without the compensatory mechanisms of a second kidney.

Clinical Relevance

The Goldblatt kidney model has been instrumental in understanding the pathophysiology of renal hypertension and the role of the renin-angiotensin system in blood pressure regulation. It has also provided insights into the development of antihypertensive drugs that target the renin-angiotensin system, such as ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs).

Related Pages

• Hypertension
• Renal artery
• Renin-angiotensin system
• Renin
• Angiotensin II
• Aldosterone
• ACE inhibitors
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers

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