LAUSR

What is the central question of this study? The metabolic pathways regulating the effects of obesity on the kidney remain unknown. We sought to determine whether inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is involved in the underlying mechanisms of high‐fat diet‐induced kidney disease using a specific iNOS inhibitor, N6‐(1‐iminoethyl)‐l‐lysine hydrochloride (L‐NIL). What is the main finding and its importance? We did not demonstrate an upregulation of iNOS renal expression after high caloric intake, suggesting that iNOS might not be a crucial player in the development of obesity‐induced kidney disease. Although L‐NIL treatment clearly ameliorated systemic metabolic parameters, the effect on loss of renal function, impairment of tubular integrity, oxidative stress and inflammation appeared to be more moderate.