Role of cyclooxygenase-2 in the control of renal haemodynamics and excretory function.
OBJECTIVE
The available evidence supporting the importance of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the regulation of renal haemodynamics and excretory function is summarized. Cyclooxygenase-2-derived metabolites play a very important role in regulating renal haemodynamics when sodium intake is low whereas it plays a minor role in the control of cortical blood flow when sodium intake is normal or elevated. The importance of COX-2 in the regulation of renal haemodynamics seems to be dependent on the endogenous production of other vasoactive products such as nitric oxide (NO) or noradrenaline. The activation of COX-2 in response to a decrease in NO may represent a mechanism aimed at defending the renal vasculature in the face of a decrease in NO levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrary to the important role of COX-2 in the long-term regulation of renal haemodynamics, the metabolites derived from COX-2 seem to be only involved in the acute regulation of renal excretory function.
López
R
R
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
Roig
F
F
Llinás
M T
MT
Salazar
F J
FJ
D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D004285:Dogs; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006893:Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids / Q000502:physiology; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D007668:Kidney / Q000502:physiology*; D007672:Kidney Cortex / Q000098:blood supply; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000502:physiology*; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D012083:Renin / Q000502:physiology; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000502:physiology
D006893:Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; D007527:Isoenzymes; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D012964:Sodium; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D012083:Renin; D009638:Norepinephrine