Inducible nitric oxide synthase and atherosclerosis.
Nitric oxide (NO) synthase induction in vascular smooth muscle cells may play a role in local vascular injury associated with atherosclerosis or postangioplasty restenosis by inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation and contraction, as well as by preventing leukocyte and platelet adhesion. The expression of inducible NO synthase is increased in balloon-injured arteries of experimental animals or in human atherosclerotic lesions. Replacement therapy with NO donors or NO synthase gene transfer may improve the clinical course of atherosclerosis or restenosis.
Department of Cardiology, Jichi Medical School, Tochigi, Japan.
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Ikeda
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Maeda
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Shimada
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002455:Cell Division; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C496319:NOS2 protein, human; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester