Authors: Fliser D
The endothelial cell layer is the "guardian" of molecular traffic between the blood and surrounding tissue, and endothelial integrity plays a pivotal role in many aspects of vascular function: e.g., control of vasomotor tone and permeability. Cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension may cause endothelial dysfunction and even disintegration, finally resulting in small vessel disappearance (vascular rarefaction) and tissue hypoxia. In patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKD), ongoing endothelial damage in the capillary system of the renal medulla and accompanying vascular rarefaction are thought to be central processes toward progressive kidney damage. In this respect, reduced nitric oxide synthesis by endothelial cells due to accumulation of endogenous inhib...