Sex Differences in Renal Physiology and Hypertension Modeling
Summary
Sex differences in renal physiology encompass variations in renal haemodynamics, transporter expression and hormonal regulation that influence blood pressure control and fluid homeostasis. Males and females differ in glomerular filtration rate, tubular reabsorption capacity and responsiveness to vasoactive stimuli, reflecting sex‐specific expression of transporters such as Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger 3 and Na⁺‐Cl⁻ cotransporter. These differences alter natriuretic and diuretic responses, shaping susceptibility to hypertension and kidney disease. Computational and animal models have been refined to capture sex‐dependent renal adaptation to angiotensin II, dietary salt, pregnancy and pharmacological inhibitors. Such models integrate glomerular filtration, tubular transport and renal feedback mechanisms to predict blood pressure trajectories and therapeutic outcomes. By quantifying how male and female kidneys respond differently to nephron‐targeted interventions, these studies inform precision medicine approaches and highlight the need for sex‐balanced research in hypertension modelling and drug development.
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Sex Differences in Renal Physiology and Hypertension Modeling publication trend
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Technical terms
Nephron: The fundamental functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtration, reabsorption and secretion.
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR): The volume of plasma filtered by glomeruli per unit time, reflecting kidney function.
Natriuresis: Excretion of sodium in the urine, often measured to assess renal transporter activity.
Diuresis: Increased production of urine, commonly induced by pharmacological agents or altered transporter function.
Tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF): A local mechanism by which the macula densa senses distal tubular NaCl and adjusts afferent arteriole tone to stabilise GFR.
References
- Sex differences in solute transport along the nephrons: effects of Na+ transport inhibition. American Journal of Physiology. Renal physiology (2020).
- Gender differences in response to acute and chronic angiotensin II infusion: a translational approach. Physiological Reports (2015).
- Effect of pregnancy and hypertension on kidney function in female rats: Modeling and functional implications. PLOS ONE (2023).
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