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The endothelial L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway and the renal circulation

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Summary

Endothelial cells contain an enzyme(s) which produces nitric oxide from L-arginine in response to a variety of mechanical stimuli as well as to autacoids and local and circulating hormones. Nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet function; it exerts its effects via activation of soluble guanylate cyclase and subsequent formation of cyclic 3′–5′-guanosine monophosphate. In the kidney, activation of the endothelial L-arginine pathway is associated with increases in renal blood flow, diuresis and natriuresis, while the glomerular filtration rate remains constant. The activity of the endothelial L-arginine pathway is impaired in hypertension and during chronic therapy with cyclosporine A. In addition, diabetes and atherosclerosis impair this pathway. Thus, the endothelial L-arginine pathway plays an important role in the local regulation of blood flow. Alterations in the activity of this pathway may play an important role in the pathophysiology of hypertension and renal disease.

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Abbreviations

ADP:

Adenosine disphosphate

ATP:

Adenosine triphosphate

Cyclic GMP:

Cyclic guanosine monophosphate

EDRF:

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor

GFR:

Glomerular filtration rate

L-NMMA:

L-NG-monomethyl arginine

NO:

Nitric oxide

PGI2 :

Prostacyclin

SHR:

Spontaneously hypertensive rat

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departement für Medizin, Universitätskliniken, Kantonspital Basel, Schweiz

    T. F. Lüscher & H. A. Bock

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  1. T. F. Lüscher
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Preprint of a lecture to be read at the 22nd Congress of the “Gesellschaft für Nephrologie”, Heidelberg, September 15–18, 1991 (Editor: Prof. Dr. E. Ritz, Heidelberg)

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Lüscher, T.F., Bock, H.A. The endothelial L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway and the renal circulation. Klin Wochenschr 69, 603–609 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01649323

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