Nitric oxide in vascular biology.
Nitric oxide is a highly versatile heterodiatomic molecule that effects a variety of actions in the vasculture. Originally identified as a principal determination of vascular tone, nitric oxide has since been recognized to exert anti thrombotic, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory effects in the vasculture. At higher concentrations and in the setting of other oxidants, nitric oxide can promote vascular pathology. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms of nitric oxides actions in vascular biology and pathology.
Walford
G
G
Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
Loscalzo
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002455:Cell Division; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D005978:Glutathione; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008954:Models, Biological; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D016877:Oxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D016877:Oxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013481:Superoxides; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D005978:Glutathione