The Clinical Biology of Sodium

Part 1 Body sodium in context - distribution, functions and regulation: introduction - some problems in context; distribution and concentration of sodium; basic principles; oedema; sodium in brain and CSF; functions of sodium; sodium transport - Na-K ATPase; isoforms. Part 2 Renal sodium regulation: introduction; segmental distribution of sodium reabsorption; endocrine aspects of renal sodium regulation; glomerular filtration; proximal reabsorption; loop of Henle; regulation of ADH release; distal nephron; immaturity of renal function; conclusion. Part 3 Enteric sodium uptake: introduction; enteric sodium transport; enteric sodium regulation; enteric responses to changes in sodium balance; diarrhoea; oral rehydration; sodium; sequestration - "third space"; iatrogenic disturbances; conclusion. Part 4 Behavioural regulation of sodium intake: general issues; experimental approaches; early studies of salt appetite; studies in sodium-depleted sheep; neural aspects; taste; humoral aspects; salt appetite and hypertension; biological role of salt appetite; Na, K and the sodium transport hypothesis of salt appetite; conclusion. Part 5 Physiological basis of nutritional requirements for sodium: introduction; subjectivity, science and sodium intake; sodium requirement and normality - an elusive relationship; attitudes, beliefs and prejudice; definition of requirement - factorial, empirical - and pitfalls; comparative aspects of sodium requirement; rats; cats; dogs; conclusion. Part 6 Comparative aspects of salt and hypertension: introduction; what matters about hypertension?; nutrition and blood pressure - influences other than sodium; calcium; sodium and possible mechanisms of hypertension; effects of hyertension on fluids and electrolytes; pregnancy hypertension; salt and human hypertension; comparative aspects of hypertension; conclusion - salt and hypertension - whose decision?. Part 7 Endocrine effects on normal and abnormal sodium excretion: introduction; adrenal steroids; renin-angiotensin system (RAS); ANP; MSH; Kallikrein-Kinin system. Part 8 Clinical aspects of extracellular volume and sodium concentration: introduction; hypertonic, hypotonic and isotonic dehydration; volume excess; oedema; cardiac oedema; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; sodium concentration; hypernatraemia and hyponatraemia; hypernatraemia; hyponatraemia; volume depletion; hypovolaemia and shock; blood; corticosteroids; renal dysfunction. Part 9 Interactions between sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium: introduction; cellular interactions; renal interactions; physiological and clinical implications; conclusion. Part 10 Clinical disturbances of sodium transport: introduction; cystic fibrosis; disorders of muscle excitation; Down's syndrome - Alzheimer's disease; papillary necrosis; polycystic kidney disease; gastric cancer; haemolytic anaemia; Bartter's syndrome. Part 11 Drugs affecting sodium transport and sodium balance. (Part Contents).