title: The sympathetic nervous system in chronic kidney disease.
abstract: Accumulating evidence has shown that the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in the pathophysiology and progression of several chronic disorders, e.g., arterial hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, and in particular chronic kidney disease (CKD). Experimental and clinical studies provide evidence that sympathetic inhibition using either sympatholytic pharmacotherapy or catheter-based renal denervation has beneficial effects in patients with CKD. Randomized clinical trials are needed to characterize the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, and systematically evaluate the therapeutic effects of sympathetic inhibition in this high-risk patient population. In this review current knowledge of the role of the sympathetic nervous system in the development and progression of CKD will be summarized, and novel treatment options targeting sympathetic nervous system activity will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Kardiologie, Angiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Kirrberger Strasse. Geb. 40, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ewen
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ukena
authors.forename: Dominik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Linz
authors.forename: Roland E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Schmieder
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Böhm
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mahfoud
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003714:Denervation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide