PhysiologyTier 1Medical Sciences concept

Inherited renal tubulopathies - clinical/biochemical pattern recognition (Gitelman, Bartter, Liddle, Gordon)

Core concept

  • Recognise them by two axes: blood pressure, and the acid-base/potassium pattern
    • Hypokalaemic metabolic alkalosis + LOW/normal BP -> Bartter, Gitelman (loop/thiazide phenocopies)
    • Hypokalaemic metabolic alkalosis + HYPERTENSION -> Liddle, AME, GRA, CAH (11-beta/17-alpha)
    • Hyperkalaemic metabolic ACIDOSIS + HYPERTENSION -> Gordon (pseudohypoaldosteronism type 2)
  • Each syndrome mimics a diuretic - name the diuretic and the biochemistry follows
SyndromeTransporterDiuretic mimickedSegment
BartterNKCC2 (+ ROMK, ClC-Kb, barttin, CaSR)FrusemideThick ascending limb
GitelmanNCCT (SLC12A3)ThiazideDistal convoluted tubule
LiddleENaC gain of functionOpposite of amilorideCollecting duct
GordonWNK1/WNK4, KLHL3, CUL3 -> inc NCCTOpposite of thiazideDCT

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