Model of Feedback-Mediated Dynamics in Coupled Nephrons with Compliant Thick Ascending Limbs
Abstract
Irregular flow and pressure have been observed in the nephrons of spontaneously hypertensive
rats (SHR). Coupling of nephrons through their tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) systems
may be one of the factors involved in this phenomenon. To increase understanding of
the effects due to coupling, a mathematical model was created for bifurcation analysis.
This study was inspired by previous models that investigated coupled nephrons in the
case of a rigid thick ascending limb (TAL) and single nephrons in the case of a compliant
TAL. In the present study, a model of coupled nephrons with compliant TALs is developed.
From this model, we have derived a characteristic equation for a system of coupled
nephrons. Analysis of the solutions to this characteristic equation for the case of
two identical coupled nephrons has revealed that TGF systems with coupling are more
prone to oscillate, which could lead
to the complex behavior found in SHR.
Type
Honors thesisDepartment
MathematicsPermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/2243Citation
Wen, Amy (2010). Model of Feedback-Mediated Dynamics in Coupled Nephrons with Compliant Thick Ascending
Limbs. Honors thesis, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/2243.Collections
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