Erythrocyte nitric oxide metabolism in patients with chronic renal failure

Aims: This study aims to investigate arginine-nitric oxide pathway in chron ic renal failure (CRF) and to establish erythrocyte nitric oxide synthase ( NOS) and arginase (ARG) activities in patients wit CRF. Materials and metho ds: NOS and ARG activities were measured in erythrocytes from 30 patients w ith CRF and 12 control subjects. Results: Erythrocyte NOS activity was foun d to be significantly lower and ARG activity higher in patients with CRF co mpared with controls. No differences were, however, found between patients with and without hemodialysis. A negative correlation (r = -0.7) was establ ished between ARG and NOS activities in erythrocytes from patients. Conclus ions: Results suggest that erythrocyte NO production is diminished in patie nts with CRE, possibly due to decreased NOS and increased ARG activities.