title: Anatomic and physiologic changes of the aging kidney.
abstract: Aging is associated with structural and functional changes in the kidney. Structural changes include glomerulosclerosis, thickening of the basement membrane, increase in mesangial matrix, tubulointerstitial fibrosis and arteriosclerosis. Glomerular filtration rate is maintained until the fourth decade of life, after which it declines. Parallel reductions in renal blood flow occur with redistribution of blood flow from the cortex to the medulla. Other functional changes include an increase in glomerular basement permeability and decreased ability to dilute or concentrate urine.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Zeina
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Karam
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tuazon
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007671:Kidney Concentrating Ability / Q000502:physiology*; D063305:Organ Dysfunction Scores; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000209:etiology
keywords: Functional reserve; Glomerular filtration rate; Glomerulosclerosis; Osmoregulation; Renal blood flow; Renal mass; Renin-angiotensin system; Senescence