Analysis of systems influencing renal hemodynamics and sodium excretion. I. Biochemical systems theory

In this article we present a new methodology—Biochemical Systems Theory and Analysis—as an alternative to traditional parametric statistical procedures for investigating differences between risk groups in a population. We review the systems theory and how it can be used to represent a model of processes influencing renal hemodynamics and sodium (Na⁺) excretion. We also discuss the potential for new measures of the biology of common diseases that can emerge from a synergism between systems theory and population-based statistical approaches. This work was supported in part by grants from the Public Health Service, RO1-HL30428, R01-HL39107 and General Clinical Research Center Grant RR0585.