ABSTRACT
The kidney is one of the most densely vascularized organs of the body. Its function depends on the maintenance of perfusion pressures within narrow limits. However, these limits vary substantially from segment to segment of the renal vasculature. Accordingly, the kidney utilizes an array of vascular control mechanisms to regulate segmentai perfusion as needed. One major regulatory mechanism is related to renal nitric oxide. In this chapter we shall discuss published evidence on the role of nitric oxide in renal disease. As an introduction we will briefly outline the normal functions of NO in the kidney.
