Endogenous Regulators of NO Bioavailability in Rats with Acute Renal Failure

We studied the impact of acute glycerol-induced renal failure on blood levels and daily urinary excretion of arginine, monomethylarginine, and asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine. Acute renal failure was accompanied by enhanced daily excretion of asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine, increased plasma level of symmetric dimethylarginine, and decreased plasma level of arginine. Reabsorption of arginine and its methylated analogues decreased, thus compensating for reduced glomerular fi ltration rate. These data attest to increased production of dimethylarginines during acute renal failure. These changes can decrease NO bioavailability.