title: The nitric oxide system in glucocorticoid-induced hypertension.
abstract: The blood pressure-raising effects of adrenocortical steroids with predominantly glucocorticoid activity, both naturally occurring and synthetic, are well known. Recent evidence suggests that the nitric oxide system plays a key role in the hypertension produced by glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoid actions at various sites in the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) pathway may result in elevated blood pressure. These include: alterations in l-arginine availability or transport; NOS2 and NOS3 downregulation; reduced cofactor bioavailability; NOS uncoupling; a concomitant elevation in reactive oxygen species and removal of nitric oxide (NO) from the vascular environment; alterations in whole body antioxidant status; and erythropoietin induced resistance to NO.
authors.affiliation: The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia. Judith.Whitworth@anu.edu.au
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Whitworth
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Schyvens
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Miles C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: George J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Mangos
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009569:Nitric Oxide