title: Renal endothelial function in humans.
abstract: Animal experiments have shown extensively that the endothelial generation of nitric oxide participates in the regulation of renal haemodynamics and function, probably as a factor modulating the effects of endogenous vasoconstrictors. Although the endothelial function of the systemic vasculature is assessed through the vasodilatory effect of acetylcholine, only L-arginine infusion is available for studies of the influence of nitric oxide on the renal circulation in humans. In addition to peripheral vessels, L-arginine is a potent renal vasodilator, having no effect on the glomerular filtration rate; and the renal relaxation induced by L-arginine is markedly blunted in patients with essential hypertension. A few studies showing the renal vasoconstrictor effect of an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis have been reported.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Lapeyronie, Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mimran
mesh_terms: D000419:Albuminuria / Q000503:physiopathology; D001120:Arginine; D004727:Endothelium / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine; D001120:Arginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase