Nitric Oxide in the Kidney: Its Physiological Role and Pathophysiological Implications.
- Author:
Jong Un LEE
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: nitric oxide; natriuresis; diuresis; chronic kidney disease; acute kidney injury; hypertension
- MeSH: Acute Kidney Injury; Arginine; Arterial Pressure; Blood Pressure; Diuresis; Hypertension; Kidney; Natriuresis; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Donors; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Plasma; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
- From:Electrolytes & Blood Pressure 2008;6(1):27-34
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Nitric oxide has been implicated in many physiologic processes that influence both acute and long-term control of kidney function. Its net effect in the kidney is to promote natriuresis and diuresis, contributing to adaptation to variations of dietary salt intake and maintenance of normal blood pressure. A pretreatment with nitric oxide donors or L-arginine may prevent the ischemic acute renal injury. In chronic kidney diseases, the systolic blood pressure is correlated with the plasma level of asymmetric dimethylarginine, an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. A reduced production and biological action of nitric oxide is associated with an elevation of arterial pressure, and conversely, an exaggerated activity may represent a compensatory mechanism to mitigate the hypertension.
