Medullary Liver Cells?

[jay47]

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Okay, I know this is a little off topic, but I figure that anyone talking about taking boards would know the answer to this question (hopefully).

In the medulla of the kidney, there is a very high osmolarity. Obviously, an osmolarity that is much higher than the normal 300 milliosmoles found within the body. I believe that numbers are around 1200 milliosmoles per liter. My question, is: what specialized structures would these kidney cells have so that they can survive these hypertonic conditions?

I've asked both my physiology professor as well as my histology professor and neither seems to know an exact answer. They both replied that they think they will have extra cellular membrane structures that aid in keeping the cell at a constant and survivable osmolarity. Does anyone know any specifics?
Thanks, Jay

 

[dreamchaser]

why u think that there is some sepecilized str needed there???
as both interstisial fluid n loop of henle high osmolarity so there will be affect on cells...

 

[Katalyst]

Not sure what you meant when your topic says 'liver cells', but I know about Kidney medullary cells. The inner medullary collecting duct (IMDC) epithelial cells at the ends of the nephrons have a high transepithelial resistance to solutes and urea. Resistance is accomplished by intracellular accumulation of organic osmolytes. The underlying mechanisms include enhanced uptake from the extracellular space of betaine, myo-inositol and amino acids. The cells also increase intracellular production of sorbitol and glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC) and reduced intracellular degradation of GPC.