Nitric oxide in heart failure: friend or foe.
Nitric oxide (NO) is a controversial molecule. It is either beneficial or deleterious. As with NO donors, one reason for this duality is related to the dose. Small doses are highly beneficial, maintaining blood flow in vessels and blood pressure, and protecting against foreign invaders. In high doses, it results in hypotension, forms peroxynitrite which is cytotoxic, and contributes to heart failure.
Jugdutt
Bodh I
BI
Walter Mackenzie Helath Sciences Centre, Cardiology Division of the Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. bjugdutt@ualberta.ca
D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D009569:Nitric Oxide