Nitric oxide and cardiovascular risk factors

Abstract

The endothelium is a dynamic organ with many properties that takes part in the regulation of the principal mechanisms of vascular physiology. Its principal functions include the control of blood-tissue exchange and permeability, the vascular tonus, and the modulation of inflammatory or coagulatory mechanisms. Many vasoactive molecules, produced by the endothelium, are involved in the control of these functions. The most important is nitric oxide (NO), a gaseous molecule electrically neutral with an odd number of electrons that gives the molecule chemically reactive radical properties. Already known in the twentieth century, NO, sometimes considered as a dangerous molecule, recently valued as an important endogenous vasodilator factor. Recently, it was discovered that it is involved in several physiological mechanisms of endothelial protection (Tab. I). In 1992, Science elected it as “molecule of the year”; 6 yrs later three American researchers (Louis Ignarro, Robert Furchgott and Fried Murad) obtained a Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology “for their discoveries about NO as signal in the cardiovascular system”

Effects of tree nut and groundnut consumption compared with those of l-arginine supplementation on fasting and postprandial flow-mediated vasodilation: Meta-analysis of human randomized controlled trials

“…After absorption, Larginine can be converted into L-citrulline by endothelial cells, thereby producing nitric oxide (NO) [2]. The gas NO is a potent vasodilator causing relaxation of arterial smooth muscle cells [3]. Moreover, NO may exert important anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, anti-proliferative and anti-adhesive effects [3,4].…”

“…The gas NO is a potent vasodilator causing relaxation of arterial smooth muscle cells [3]. Moreover, NO may exert important anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, anti-proliferative and anti-adhesive effects [3,4]. Therefore, it is considered a key determinant of vascular health and the Larginine-NO pathway plays an important role in maintaining vascular endothelial function [5].…”

“…Therefore, it is considered a key determinant of vascular health and the Larginine-NO pathway plays an important role in maintaining vascular endothelial function [5]. An impaired endothelial function is a still reversible early-stage event during atherosclerotic plaque formation and an independent predictor of future cardiovascular disease (CVD) events [3]. Thus, improving endothelial function, which can be quantified by non-invasive flow-mediated vasodilatation of the brachial artery (FMD) [6], may be a key mechanism through which tree nut and groundnut consumption reduce the longer-term risk to develop CVD events [7].…”

The Prophylactic and Therapeutic Effects of Safranal and Selenite on Liver Damage Induced by Thyrotoxicosis in Adult Male Rats

“…The NO produced induces guanylatecyclase to produce cGMP from GTP. cGMP is responsible for cellular hyperpolarization due to the activation of the potassium channels [27]. T3 may act directly on mitochondria altering its structure and inducing permeability transition leading to the release of apoptogenic proteins and activation of caspases and apoptosis [28].…”