Nitric oxide, endothelin and nephron transport: potential interactions

Abstract

1. Nitric oxide (NO) is produced and/or regulates transport in many segments of the nephron, including the proximal convoluted tubule, proximal straight tubule, thick ascending limb, cortical collecting duct and inner medullary collecting duct. 2. Endothelin (ET) is produced and/or regulates nephron transport in many of the segments that produce NO or in which transport is regulated by NO. 3. Four potential interactions between NO and ET are: (i) NO and ET may be antagonistic; (ii) NO and ET may be complementary; (iii) the effects of ET may be mediated via NO; and (iv) the effects of NO may be mediated by ET. 4. In conclusion, direct studies examining the interactions between NO and ET are few. However, circumstantial evidence suggests there may be many interactions between NO and ET in the regulation of nephron transport. In particular, recent data obtained from the collecting duct and thick ascending limb indicate that the effects of ET may be mediated by the production of NO and stimulation of its second messenger cascade.