DO CHANGES IN RENAL BLOOD FLOW ALTER THE EFFICIENCY OF RENAL ARTERIAL-VENOUS O_2 SHUNTING?

摘要

Background: The existence of a preglomemlar O_2 shunt has been established in the rat kidney. Recent studies in our laboratory suggest that a preglomemlar arterial-venous O_2 shunt may also exist in the rabbit kidney and that this shunt may contribute to medullary hypoxia during conditions of reduced renal blood flow. Aim: To provide evidence for the existence of a preglomerular arterial-venous O_2 shunt in the rabbit kidney and to demonstrate the potential for reductions in renal perfusion to increase the efficiency of O_2 shunting.