The present study was done to confirm that nitric oxide (NO) levels are truly low in chronic kidney disease as suggested by previous studies. The animals used in this study had glomerulonephritis caused by the immune system. The subjects were followed for the course of the illness with testing for proteinuria and testing for NO production.

Results showed that there was a reduction in NO production in both total and kidney NO in the glomerulonephrotic rats as compared to the control rats. This had been seen previously in chronic kidney disease caused by blockage of circulation in other studies. The immune model of glomerulonephritis used in the present study is believed to be a better model of human glomerulonephritis.

CONCLUSION: Nitric oxide deficiency is both the cause and the result of chronic kidney disease. Low NO is the result of chronic kidney disease and promotes further chronic kidney disease. This becomes a “vicious cycle” promoting the progression of kidney disease.

NOTE: Adequate levels of the amino acid l-arginine are needed to produce normal levels of NO in the human body.

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PMID: 12110014.

Summary #705.