The nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway in physiology and therapeutics.
The inorganic anions nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) were previously thought to be inert end products of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) metabolism. However, recent studies show that these supposedly inert anions can be recycled in vivo to form NO, representing an important alternative source of NO to the classical L-arginine-NO-synthase pathway, in particular in hypoxic states. This Review discusses the emerging important biological functions of the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway, and highlights studies that implicate the therapeutic potential of nitrate and nitrite in conditions such as myocardial infarction, stroke, systemic and pulmonary hypertension, and gastric ulceration.
Lundberg
Jon O
JO
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. jon.lundberg@ki.se
Weitzberg
Eddie
E
Gladwin
Mark T
MT
D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase