ELECTROKINETIC STUDIES OF URINE-UREA MIXTURE ACROSS BLADDER MEMBRANES

Purpose: We ascertain the role of urea in urine and its probable effec ts on the polarizable behavior of bladder interfaces. Materials and Me thods: Urine was systematically diluted, keeping overall volume the sa me. The methodology of nonequilibrium thermodynamics was used, which i nvolves measurements of hydrodynamic permeability, electro-osmotic per meability, streaming potential and streaming currents, respectively. R esults: Effective pressure terms (alpha 1) and polarizability terms (a lpha 2) were computed, making use of higher order phenomenological coe fficients, and their concentration dependence was examined. Abrupt cha nges in the values of alpha 1 and alpha 2 are supported by trends in h igher order phenomenological coefficients. Conclusions: The polarizabl e behavior of the bladder is maintained up to certain concentrations o f urea in urine and then it undergoes drastic changes. The role of the bladder in situations of improper functioning of the liver and diets without protein may provide an explanation.