Electrolyte Blood Press.  2008 Jun;6(1):27-34. 10.5049/EBP.2008.6.1.27.

Nitric Oxide in the Kidney: Its Physiological Role and Pathophysiological Implications

• Lee JU

• KMID: 2052303
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5049/EBP.2008.6.1.27

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.

MeSH Terms

Acute Kidney Injury
Arginine
Arterial Pressure
Blood Pressure
Diuresis
Hypertension
Kidney
Natriuresis
Nitric Oxide
Nitric Oxide Donors
Nitric Oxide Synthase
Plasma
Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
Arginine
Nitric Oxide
Nitric Oxide Donors
Nitric Oxide Synthase

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Role of nitric oxide in renal physiology. RAS, renin-angiotensin system.

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