Nitrite, a naturally occurring precursor of nitric oxide that acts like a 'prodrug'.
There are enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms that generate NO* from nitrite in blood, stomach, saliva, urine and skin. In blood vessels, nitrite-derived NO* can provide protection via compensatory vasodilation during hypoxia, and in various body fluids it may have antibacterial activity. In the skin, nitrite-derived NO* may contribute to skin tanning, as well as to protection against UV-induced cell damage. Current knowledge on nitrite acting like an NO* 'prodrug' is presented, emphasizing the role of nitrite in skin.
Suschek
Christoph V
CV
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Schewe
Tankred
T
Sies
Helmut
H
Kröncke
Klaus-Dietrich
KD
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009566:Nitrates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D009573:Nitrites / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism
D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D011355:Prodrugs; D009569:Nitric Oxide