Nitric oxide: mediator, murderer, and medicine.
In the past ten years several research fields have converged to show that the tiny molecule nitric oxide (NO), a reactive gas, functions both as a signalling molecule in endothelial and nerve cells and as a killer molecule by activated immune cells--and it can be used as a new medicine by inhalation. This article reviews the biology of this remarkable molecule and discusses the implications for clinical medicine.
Anggård
E
E
William Harvey Research Institute, St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, London, UK.
D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D004068:Digestive System Physiological Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D012769:Shock / Q000503:physiopathology
D009569:Nitric Oxide