Endothelin role in kidney acidification.

Endothelin is a potent vasoconstrictor that recent studies show modulates transport in kidney tubules, including that related to acidification. The data support a physiologic role for endothelin in mediating enhanced kidney tubule acidification in response to an acid challenge to systemic acid-base balance status. The data to date do not support an endothelin role in maintaining kidney tubule acidification in control, nonacid-challenged states. Endothelin also contributes to the enhanced acidification of some pathophysiologic states and might have a role in some of the untoward outcomes associated with these conditions. This reviews supports continuation of studies into the physiologic and possibly pathophysiologic role of endothelin in settings of increased tubule acidification.