title: Endothelins: vasoactive modulators of renal function in health and disease.
abstract: Vasoactive autocoids with directly opposing actions on the renal vasculature, glomerular function, and in salt and water homeostasis have been demonstrated in the kidney. In the renal cortex, endothelin (ET)-1 and angiotensin-II cause vasoconstriction, decreasing renal blood flow, and glomerular filtration rate, whereas bradykinin and atrial natriuretic peptide cause vasodilation and increase glomerular capillary permeability. ET-1 causes vasoconstriction of the afferent and efferent arteries and outer medullary descending vasa recta, thereby decreasing vasa recta and papillary blood flow, while bradykinin has the opposite effect. ET-1 stimulates cell proliferation, increasing the expression of several genes, including collagenase, prostaglandin endoperoxidase synthase, and platelet-derived growth factor. ET-1 promotes natriuresis via the ET-B receptor, causing down-regulation of the epithelial Na(+) channel in the renal tubule. Thus, ETs affect three major aspects of renal physiology: vascular and mesangial tone, Na(+) and water excretion, and cell proliferation and matrix formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naicker
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Bhoola
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D016232:Endothelins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D016232:Endothelins; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor