Nitric Oxide and Oxidative Stress-Mediated Cardiovascular Functionality: From Molecular Mechanism to Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

The underlying pathology of most cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and stroke involves decreased cardiovascular contractility and anatomic alterations in cardiovascular structures. Nitric oxide (NO) regulates vascular tone and contractile function of myocardium and maintains blood vessel homeostasis. Interestingly, the effect of NO is like a double-edged sword in the body. Insufficient NO causes hypertension and atherosclerosis, while an overproduction of NO may foster inflammation and cause heart infarction and shock. In addition, growing evidences have shown that oxidative stress plays pivotal roles in the initiation and progression of CVDs. This chapter will discuss in detail the roles NO plays in the cardiovascular system under both physiological and pathological conditions. We will focus on: (1) the molecular mechanism of cardiovascular contraction, (2) NO/Ca 2+-induced muscle relaxation, (3) NO-related structural change in blood vessels, and (4) redox balance in the cardiovascular system. The relationships between these molecular mechanisms and the characteristics of CVDs will be highlighted.

Rice Bran Phenolic Compounds Regulate Genes Associated with Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells with Induced Oxidative Stress

“…eNOS enzyme synthesises NO, a potent vasodilator that is identified to play an essential role in protecting against thrombosis and atherogenesis [5]. NO transfers electrons from NADPH through the flavins in the carboxy-terminal reductase domain to the heme in the amino-terminal oxygenase domain [20].…”

“…Reduced expression and activity of cellular Nrf2 , NQO1 or HO1 results in a failure of antioxidant and cytoprotective enzymes to regulate appropriately under oxidative stress conditions and is therefore associated with increased risk of CVD [3,4]. eNOS , primarily found in vascular endothelial cells, is involved in regulating vascular tone and blood clotting by generating protective nitric oxide (NO) molecules in the vasculature [5], thereby preventing the increased ROS production in endothelial cells.…”

Sources of ROS Species an Its Harmful and Benefical Effects on Human Health<strong> </strong>

“…There are various factors that increase the risk of heart diseases and that includes hypertension(127), obesity, stress (128,129), Water pipe (hookah) smoking( 130) etc. Nowadays oxidative stress mediated cardiovascular diseases is also regarded as one of the primary or secondary cause (131). As a result of the aforementioned diseases the alteration of the expression of enzymes that are responsible for production of reactive species is changed and this results in increased formation of ROS.…”

A validated reduced-order dynamic model of nitric oxide regulation in coronary arteries

“…Nitric Oxide (NO), through relaxing vascular smooth muscle cells, plays a fundamental biological role in the modulation of microvascular tone and regional blood flow [1,2]. NO is produced through either purinergic signaling in the vasculature at the cellular scale or as a consequence of the exposure of the endothelial cells to mechanical forces [3].…”