The endocrine system in chronic nitric oxide deficiency.
The experimental model of chronic inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production has proven to be a useful tool to study cardiovascular and renal lesions produced by this type of hypertension, which are similar to those found in human hypertension. It also offers a unique opportunity to study the interaction of NO with the humoral systems, known to have a role in the normal physiology of vascular tone and renal function. This review provides a thorough and updated analysis of the interactions of NO with the endocrine system. There is special focus on the main vasoactive factors, including the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, catecholamines, vasopressin, and endothelin among others. Recent discoveries of crosstalk between the endocrine system and NO are also reported. Study of these humoral interactions indicates that NO is a molecule with ubiquitous function and that its inhibition alters virtually to all other known regulatory systems. Thus, hypothyroidism attenuates the pressor effect of NO inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, whereas hyperthyroidism aggravates the effects of NO synthesis inhibition; the sex hormone environment determines the blood pressure response to NO blockade; NO may play a homeostatic role against the prohypertensive effects of mineralocorticoids, thyroid hormones and insulin; and finally, NO deficiency affects not only blood pressure but also glucose and lipid homeostasis, mimicking the human metabolic syndrome X, suggesting that NO deficiency may be a link between metabolic and cardiovascular disease.
Vargas
Félix
F
Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, E-18012 Granada, Spain. fvargas@ugr.es
Moreno
Juan Manuel
JM
Wangensteen
Rosemary
R
Rodríguez-Gómez
Isabel
I
García-Estañ
Joaquín
J
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000502:physiology*; D006728:Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000172:deficiency*
D006728:Hormones; D009569:Nitric Oxide