title: The role of nitric oxide in osteoarthritis.
abstract: Elevated levels of markers of nitric oxide (NO) production are found in osteoarthritic joints suggesting that NO is involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). In OA, NO mediates many of the destructive effects of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the cartilage, and inhibitors of NO synthesis have demonstrated retardation of clinical and histological signs and symptoms in experimentally induced OA and other forms of arthritis. As an important factor in cartilage, the regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and activity, and the effects of NO are reviewed, especially in relation to the pathogenesis of OA.
authors.affiliation: The Immunopharmacology Research Group, Medical School, University of Tampere and Research Unit, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vuolteenaho
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moilanen
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Knowles
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moilanen
mesh_terms: D002356:Cartilage / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II