Endothelin and diabetic nephropathy: a new pathogenetic factor?
Endothelin is a vasoconstrictor and a mitogenic peptide. It is able in vivo as well as in vitro to affect renal function and structure. Experiments conducted on animal models have shown that diabetes mellitus is associated with an increase in urinary and plasma endothelin levels. This increase, is probably correlated to renal damage progression and to characteristic alterations in diabetic nephropathy. Also studies conducted on diabetic patients have demonstrated an increase in plasma endothelin. The role of endothelin should therefore be considered because it could be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.
Meli
S
S
Department of Internal and Emergency Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Bruno
C M
CM
D000818:Animals; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000209:etiology*; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans
D019332:Endothelin-1