Junctions of Hepatology and Nephrology

Overview

The liver and the kidney jointly or in a complementary manner play an important role in maintaining homeostasisof the internal environment, mainly regarding detoxification, excretion and regulation. Hepatorenal syndrome candevelop under pathological circumstances due to severe hepatic impairment, when the metabolism of both organs isaffected by various xenobiotics, when they are damaged by genetic defects as in renal polycystosis, glycogenoses,alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency or in hereditary amyloidosis. In primary hyperoxaluria or familiar thromboticmicroangiopathy renal impairment develops due to the metabolic defect in the liver. Both organs may be impairedalso in some hemolytic anemias, viral hepatitis, AIDS, leptospirosis, in circulatory failure, intoxications, and afterthe bone marrow or solid organ transplantation. In the dialysis units, prevention of viral hepatitis and HIV infectionis of the basic importance; its principles are discussed in more detail.

Key words:
liver, kidney, hepatorenal syndrome, detoxification, excretion, regulation, viral hepatitis.