Therapeutic strategies for the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase--potential for a novel class of anti-inflammatory agents.
In recent years, NO, a gas previously considered a potentially toxic chemical, has become established as a diffusible universal messenger mediating cell-cell communication throughout the body. In mammals, NO is a recognized mediator of blood vessel relaxation that helps to maintain blood pressure. In the central nervous system NO acts as a non-conventional neurotransmitter and participates in the establishment of long-term plasticity required for memory formation. In addition, NO is responsible for some parts of the host response to sepsis and inflammation and contributes to certain disease states. A number of strategies have emerged with regard to a pharmacological control of pathological NO overproductions. This review will discuss these novel therapeutic approaches that may provide new means for clinical medicine.
Pfeilschifter
J
J
Department of Pharmacology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
Eberhardt
W
W
Hummel
R
R
Kunz
D
D
Mühl
H
H
Nitsch
D
D
Plüss
C
C
Walker
G
G
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001120:Arginine / Q000378:metabolism; D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014157:Transcription Factors; D001708:Biopterins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; C003402:sapropterin