Higashi Y, Oshima T, Ozono R, Ono N, Hiraga H, et al
Counter-regulation of renal responses to L-arginine in hypertensive patients with renal insufficiency
16th Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hypertension
ISH Abstract Book (Jun) 16: 1996

Endothelium-dependent renal vasodilatation has been reported to be impaired in patients with mild essential hypertension (EHT) with normal renal function. This study was designed to evaluate the renal endothelial function in patients with hypertension and renal insufficiency. The effects of intravenous administration of L-arginine (L-arg; 500 mg/kg over 30 min.) on renal hemodynamics were studied in 25 normotensive controls (NT), 23 EHT, and 7 patients who had GFR below 50 mL/min/1.48 m2.

The renal vasodilatation (i.e the decrease in renal vascular resistances) induced by L-Arginine was smaller in EHT than in NT and completely abolished in patients with renal insufficiency. The increase in plasma cyclic GMP levels was RHT < EHT < NT. GFR was unaffected in NT and EHT by L-arg, but decreased in RHT.

These findings indicate that the ability of L-arg-nitric oxide-cGMP to reduce renal vascular tone is attenuated in EHT and abolished in hypertensives with renal diseases.

Comment: A weak point of this study is the small number of patients with renal insufficiency and the poor definition of the renal diseases (Carmine Zoccali, M.D, Reggio Calabria, Italy).

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16th Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hypertension
H: Pathophysiology : Kidney in hypertension
H: Pathophysiology : Endothelium, Nitric Oxide