Renal Lymph: Vital for the Kidney and Valuable for the Physiologist

GG Pinter Drainage of extravasated proteins from the interstitium is a vital function of renal lymph. In addition, it has a valuable role as a source of information about the renal interstitium. Information uniquely provided by lymph allows characterization of macromolecular permeabilities of postglomerular exchange vessels in the renal cortex under physiological conditions and in disease, e.g., in experimental diabetes mellitus. Various defense mechanisms are discussed that are instrumental in keeping the balance between reabsorption of fluid from the tubules and uptake of reabsorbed fluid by the peritubular capillaries. The role of lymph in these mechanisms is highlighted.