The primary gasotransmitters and their respective donors in the mission of vision (eye health): a comprehensive overview

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) along with Carbon monoxide (CO) and Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) are biologically significant gaseous molecules generally called as “gasotransmitters”. At a concentration higher or lower than optimum value may result in toxicity or malfunctioning of mammalian tissues. Soon after the acknowledgment of NO as multifunctional bio-signalling molecule in 1987, many interesting implications of this field emerged out. Meanwhile, several studies have proven the NO-biosynthetic pathway responsible for normal functioning of eye. High intraocular pressure (IOP) has been suggested as the main risk factor in this context and collaborative approach with nitric oxide releasers is said to control IOP and hence the relation with glaucoma. Similar miracles were reflected from several other naturally produced gaseous molecules,viz., CO and H2S after year 1990. The biological roles of both these molecules are now widely accepted and in the current era investigations focused mainly with development of efficient CO and H2S releasing compounds. CO and H2S donors are also said to help in normalising IOP like NO. Therefore the trio-gasotransmitters have collective relation with the ophthalmic homeostasis in association with nervous control. On one hand, the antimicrobial efficiency of these three molecules is widely known and on the other hand, their collaborative key-role in ocular nerve functioning makes it remarkable to state here that their donors are supposed to act as a shield for both the infectious as well as the non-infectious eye defects.