[Nitric oxide, L-arginine and the kidney. Experimental studies of new therapy approaches].
BACKGROUND
Nitric oxide (NO) is a small gaseous molecule with multiple biological effects. NO is produced from the semi-essential amino acid L-arginine by NO synthases (NOS). In the kidney, neuronal NOS (bNOS), which is localized in the macula densa, and endothelial NOS (ecNOS) are involved in the regulation of glomerular hemodynamics. Dysfunction of these enzymes may cause glomerular hypertension and increased intraglomerular platelet aggregation. NO production in high tissue concentrations can be achieved by activation of an inducible NOS isoform (iNOS) and may act as a potent mediator of inflammation in immune-mediated renal diseases. Selective inhibition of iNOS may, therefore, become a novel anti-inflammatory approach in the treatment of glomerulonephritis. Based on experimental data, the potential importance of NO and other metabolites of L-arginine in the pathophysiology and therapy of renal diseases is summarized in this article.


CONCLUSIONS
Modulation of the renal L-arginine/NO-system represents a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of acute an chronic kidney diseases.
Ketteler
M
M
Abteilung für Allgemeine Innere Medizin and Nephrologie, Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin, Berlin.
Abou-Rebyeh
F
F
Frey
A
A
Gawlik
A
A
Peters
H
H
Westenfeld
R
R
Distler
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001120:Arginine / Q000502:physiology*; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine; C496319:NOS2 protein, human; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
Stickstoffmonoxid, L-Arginin und die Niere. Experimentelle Studien zu neuen Therapieansätzen.