Excretion of water and electrolytes by the kidneys in chronic irritation of the peripheral nerves.

It was established that chronic irritation of the peripheral nerves as a result of cutting of the sciatic nerve and introduction of formalin into the central segment is accompanied by prolonged oliguria (for many months), hyponatriuresis, a change in te excretion of chlorine, calcium, and urea with the urine, as well as an intensification of the excretion of potassium and phosphates by the kidneys. It was shown that the decrease in the excretion of water, sodium, chlorine, and calcium by the kidneys in the presence of a neurodystrophic process is associated chiefly with a sharp inhibition of filtration of the primary urine in the glomeruli and partially with an intensification of their reabsorption. Hyperkaliuresis and hyperphosphaturia were due to activation of the secretory process in the kidney tubules, while the decrease in the excretion of urea was a consequence of a decrease in the filtration load of this substance and a decrease in the diffusion and secretory processes. Thus, chronic irritation of the sciatic nerve leads to a change in the functional activity of all parts of the nephron. It is important that different parts of the nephron react differently, both in degree and in nature, and this is fraught with serious consequences for the normal maintenance of an adequate response of the kidneys to a change in the water and electrolyte metabolism.