Role of Nitric Oxide in the Evolution of Renal Ischemia in Two-Kidney, One-Clip Renovascular Hypertension

To clarify the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the pathogenesis of renovascular hypertension, we examined the effects of long-term oral administration of either the precursor substrate L-arginine or the NO synthesis inhibitor Nω-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA) on systemic and renal hemodynamics in dogs with chronic two-kidney, one-clip (2K-1C) renovascular hypertension. Furthermore, the importance of NO in maintaining kidney function in chronic renal ischemia was evaluated. Chronic inhibition of NO production aggravated the rise in blood pressure (L-NA 117.7±6.8 vs. control 107.2±3.3mmHg, p