Nitric oxide and renal reperfusion injury: a review

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) is a ubiquitous molecule with a role in both normal homeostasis and pathophysiological processes. However, the role it plays in venal ischaemia reperfusion injury is a matter of some contention. Method and Results: This paper precis the biology and biosynthesis of NO before concentrating on the function of NO in renal ischaemia reperfusion injury. What emerges is a picture of some clarity about the normal physiological role of NO but some discord regarding the generation and function of postischaemic nitric oxide. Some of the reasons for this are explored in move detail. Conclusions: Clarity on the precise effect of postischaemic NO will remain elusive without the in vivo measurement of NO in experimental models.