Intercalated cells

Intercalated cells are specialized cells found in the kidney's distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct. They play a crucial role in maintaining the acid-base homeostasis of the body by regulating the pH of the urine and the blood.

Structure

Intercalated cells are cuboidal in shape and smaller than the principal cells of the collecting duct. They are characterized by a large number of mitochondria, which are necessary for their high metabolic activity. There are two types of intercalated cells: Type A and Type B.

Type A

Type A intercalated cells are involved in the secretion of acid (H+) into the urine and the reabsorption of bicarbonate into the blood. They are more numerous when the blood is acidic, as they help to increase the pH of the blood by removing H+ ions.

Type B

Type B intercalated cells perform the opposite function of Type A cells. They secrete bicarbonate into the urine and reabsorb H+ into the blood. They are more numerous when the blood is alkaline, as they help to decrease the pH of the blood by removing bicarbonate ions.

Function

The primary function of intercalated cells is to maintain the acid-base balance of the body. They do this by regulating the pH of the urine and the blood. When the blood is too acidic, Type A cells work to remove H+ ions from the blood and excrete them into the urine. Conversely, when the blood is too alkaline, Type B cells work to remove bicarbonate ions from the blood and excrete them into the urine.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities in the function of intercalated cells can lead to a variety of renal disorders, including distal renal tubular acidosis, a condition characterized by the kidney's inability to properly acidify the urine. This can result in a systemic acid-base imbalance, leading to a range of symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, and increased susceptibility to kidney stones.

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