Circadian characteristics of dialyzable and non-dialyzable human urinary electrolytes, trace elements and total solids.

Abstract

Seven clinically-healthy men ranging in age from 21 to 25 years participated in this study. Urine samples were collected at 3 hr intervals over a single 24 hr span. Urines were pooled by using 20% of the total volume collected from each subject over a 3 hr collection span. The resulting 8 pools were analyzed for pH, specific gravity, osmolality, urea N, creatine, uric acid, glucose, phosphorus, chlorides, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, silicon, aluminum, zinc and total solids. Each of the 8 pools was serially dialyzed at pH 7.35 against ammonium-barbituric acid buffer. The non-dialyzable portions were then re-analyzed for the remaining solids, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, silicon, aluminum and zinc. Aliquots of the non-dialyzable fraction were examined by high performance liquid chromatography. Up to twelve discernable fractions were observed in each 3 hr urine by monitoring ultraviolet light absorbance at 280 nm wavelength. Range of change throughout the 24 hr (lowest to highest value) for most variables was 100% or more. In the eight 3 hr pooled urine samples, statistically-significant circadian variation could be described for volume, pH, osmolality, urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, glucose, phosphorus, chlorides, for five of eight non-dialyzed (total) components (Na, K, Ca, Si and solids) and for five of twelve non-dialyzable solid fractions, as well as for total non-dialyzable solids. Single cosinor analysis resulted in description of a significant circadian rhythm in osmolality, urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose, phosphorus, chlorides, total Na, K, Si and solids; non-dialyzable Si and solids; dialyzable Na, K, Si and solids; and for total solids, as well as their fractions at 23.4 and 25.9 min. These observations are furnished in order to further document the extreme circadian rhythmicity in all aspects of kidney function and as reference for future work which uses any of the investigated urinary endpoints whose circadian time structure is herein described.