6533b7d2fe1ef96bd125df53

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Nitric Oxide Synthesis in Vascular Physiology and Pathophysiology

Ning XiaHuige LiUlrich Förstermann

subject

medicine.medical_specialtyNADPH oxidasebiologyChemistrySuperoxideNitric Oxide Synthase Type IIITetrahydrobiopterinmedicine.diseasebiology.organism_classificationEndothelial NOSNitric oxidechemistry.chemical_compoundEndocrinologyEnosInternal medicinemedicinebiology.proteinEndothelial dysfunctionmedicine.drug

description

Nitric oxide (NO) is produced by three NO synthase (NOS) isoforms: neuronal NOS (nNOS), inducible NOS (iNOS), and endothelial NOS (eNOS). Under physiological conditions, vascular NO is produced by eNOS and nNOS, with both playing atheroprotective roles. Under pathological conditions, iNOS can be induced and eNOS may become uncoupled. iNOS produces a large amount of NO, induces vascular dysfunction, and promotes atherogenesis. Uncoupled eNOS generates superoxide instead of NO and contributes significantly to endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis. Major mechanisms of eNOS uncoupling include depletion of tetrahydrobiopterin, an essential co-factor for the eNOS enzyme, and deficiency of L-arginine, the eNOS substrate. Reversal of eNOS uncoupling may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of vascular diseases.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2015-01-01
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2907-8_16