Renal Physiology and Hydrosaline Metabolism

This volume discusses renal function and the mechanisms by which the kidney regulates the composition and volume of the extracellular fluid. It also highlights the role of the kidney in the development and progression of arterial hypertension. Most textbooks of renal physiology are based in mammalians physiology and mostly human physiology of the kidney, but the authors considered that this book should also include other species to include the broad spectrum of students and researchers in the life and biomedical sciences. In this sense, we included chapters such as comparative osmoregulation in non-mammalian vertebrates and we emphasize that in vertebrates like fish, reptiles, amphibians and birds, the kidneys and extrarenal organs are vital to maintain fluid homeostasis. The purpose of the book is to provide a concise frame of knowledge in a clear and direct language, of the renal function to medical and biological sciences students. In the context of normal renal function, we provide pathophysiological basis for chronic renal diseases and hypertension with the participation of renal vasoactive hormones. This book is used as textbook in several physiology courses for medical, nursing and biological sciences students at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Finis Terrae University, Universidad San Sebastian as well as other universities.

Carlos P. Vio Lagos, MD. Obtained his degree in Medicine from Universidad Austral de Chile and University of Chile. Postdoctoral studies in Endocrinology were done with a Fogarty CTR-NIH grant in New York, USA. Dr. Vio is a Full Professor of Physiology in the Faculty of Medicine and Science, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile, and Full Professor of Physiology at Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.  Large experience teaching in Physiology and Pathophysiology at medical students, health sciences, and Ph.D. programs in Physiology, Cell Biology and Biomedicine, and Medical Sciences. He is author of more than 100 research papers and books in Physiology, Hypertension and Chronic Renal Diseases. He is a member of the Chilean Academy of Medicine, Chilean Society of Hypertension, Chilean Society of Physiological Sciences, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Physiology, InterAmerican Society of Hypertension, American Heart Association, among others. He was Chairman of Physiology and Vice President of Research and Doctoral studies at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (2000-2010), and currently is the Vice President of Research and Doctoral studies of the Universidad San Sebastian, Chile.

Pedro A. Gallardo Munizaga, MSc, PhD. Obtained his degree in Biological Sciences at the Universidad de Talca. He obtained the Master in Biological Sciences (Physiology) from Universidad de Chile. Doctor in Biological Sciences (Physiological Sciences) from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Fogarty postdoctoral position at NHLBI-NIH, Bethesda, USA. Graduate in pedagogy in teaching in Health Sciences. For 10 years, Dr. Gallardo had been in charge of the Physiology Course for Medicine students. Associate Professor at School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Finis Terrae.