Nitric oxide in blood pressure regulation, with special reference to patients undergoing hemodialysis

Recently, numerous studies have shown that nitric oxide plays several crucial roles in the regulation of blood pressure. Although nitric oxide produced by endothelial nitrix oxide synthase is thought to be most important for fine adjustments of blood pressure, other sources of nitrix oxide, such as neuronal and inducible types of nitrix oxide synthases, may also participate directly or indirectly in certain forms of hypertensive and hypotensive disorders. In this review. I discuss the possible roles of nitric oxide in the regulation of blood pressure in patients with impaired renal function, especially those undergoing chronic hemodialysis. I also mention the possible roles of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of hypertension induced by erythropoietin in patients with end-stage renal diseases.