[Kidney and nitric oxide]

Nitric oxide (NO) pathway is involved in various physiological and pathophysiological processes. NO is synthesised by NO synthase. Three isoforms, ecNOS, nNOS, iNOS have been identified to date, that are encoded by 3 distinct genes on chromosome 7, 12 and 17 respectively. L-arginine is likely involved in the control of NO synthesis. In the kidney, NO regulates glomerular hemodynamics by modulating the ultrafiltration coefficient and afferent and efferent renal arteriolar resistance. NO is further involved in the pressure-natriuresis mechanism and in the tubuloglomerular feedback. Several physiopathological models have underlined the importance of the NO in arterial hypertension and in glomerular inflammation.