Renal Redox Balance and Na+, K+-ATPase Regulation: Role in Physiology and Pathophysiology

Abstract

An imbalance between oxidant production and antioxidant defences has been associated with the development of several conditions such as hypertension, obesity-associated hypertension and diabetes, as well as during the ageing process (Bedard & Krause, 2007; Makino et al., 2003; Touyz & Schiffrin, 2004; Valko et al., 2007; Wilcox, 2005). This association is achieved through direct reactive oxygen species damage upon biomolecules or reactive oxygen species-induced alterations in gene and protein regulation (Finkel, 2003; Gill & Wilcox, 2006; McCubrey et al., 2006; Valko et al., 2007).