Therapeutic potential of nitric oxide donors in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.
Well-known risk factors for atherosclerosis include hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking. These conditions are associated with endothelial dysfunction, which itself is associated with reduced endothelial generation of nitric oxide (NO). This is an overview of the implications of NO generation in atherosclerosis and of the potential therapeutic benefit of drugs which donate NO, such as organic nitrates, nicorandil, and sydnonimines, or those which increase the availability of endogenous NO, such as statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, L-arginine, and tetrahydrobiopterin.
Herman
Arnold G
AG
Division of Pharmacology, University of Antwerpen, Campus Drie Eiken, Wilrijk, B-2610 Antwerpen, Belgium. arnold.herman@ua.ac.be
Moncada
Salvador
S
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase