L-arginine is the physiological precursor for the formation of nitric oxide in endothelium-dependent relaxation

Bacterial endotoxin rapidly stimulates prolonged endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation in the rat isolated perfused heart

“…This finding is consistent with studies in other tissues in vitro (Palmer et al, 1988b;Amezcua et al, 1989;Rees et al, 1989a;1990b;Moore et al, 1990) and in vivo (Aisaka et al, 1989;Rees et al, 1989b;1990b;Gardiner et al, 1990) and further strengthens the belief that basal release on NO modulates vascular tone (Rees et al, 1990b;Amrani et al, 1992;see Moncada et al, 1991). In the vasculature, constitutive NO synthase is localized entirely in the endothelial layer (Knowles et al, 1990).…”

Tumour cell radiosensitization using constitutive (CMV) and radiation inducible (WAF1) promoters to drive the iNOS gene: a novel suicide gene therapy

“…authentic NO ¼ gas. The observation ( Figure 3) that both cytotoxicity and radiosensitization in vitro can be entirely abrogated by L-NMMA, a known inhibitor of NOS, 33 clearly demonstrates that the radiosensitization is mediated by a product of iNOS. We cannot state categorically, however, that NO ¼ is the only active species.…”

Effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition on endothelial vasodilator function in primary human hypertension

“…The mechanism responsible for the vasodilator effect of acetylcholine has been mostly clarified and most of the activity of what has been termed endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) can be attributed to endothelial generation of nitric oxide or a substance that spontaneously generates nitric oxide' 4 ' from 1-arginine' 5 '. Moreover, it has become clear that basal release of EDRF, both in animal experiments' 6 ' 7 ' and healthy man' 8 ', is involved in the regulation of vascular tone.…”