Teaching the renal tubular reabsorption of glucose using two classic papers by Shannon et al.

Abstract

Most of the transport along the nephron uses membrane proteins and exhibits the three characteristics of mediated transport: saturation, specificity, and competition. Glucose reabsorption in the nephron is an excellent example of the consequences of saturation. Two classic papers by James A. Shannon and colleagues clearly show the ability of the kidney in transporting glucose and its saturation process, providing students with examples of the handling of glucose by the kidney. In addition, these articles demonstrate how stable and reproducible is the transport maximum of glucose in the proximal tubule under different experimental conditions. One key figure from each classic paper can be used to give students insight into how glucose transport becomes saturated, resulting in the excretion of glucose in urine, and will also give students a clear example of how careful experimentation and a clear interest in renal physiology led Shannon and colleagues to advance the field.