title: [Role of nitric oxide in the control of the pulmonary circulation: physiological, pathophysiological, and therapeutic implications].
abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) is an endogenous vasoactive compound that contributes to pulmonary vascular homeostasis and is produced by three nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms-neuronal NOS (nNOS); inducible NOS (iNOS); and endothelial NOS (eNOS)-all three of which are present in the lung. Studies using pharmacological inhibitors or knockout mice have shown that eNOS-derived NO plays an important role in modulating pulmonary vascular tone and attenuating pulmonary hypertension. However, studies focusing on the role of iNOS have shown that this isoform contributes to the pathophysiology of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. This review aimed at outlining the role played by NO in the control of pulmonary circulation, both under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. In addition, we review the evidence that the L-arginine-NO-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway is a major pharmacological target in the treatment of pulmonary vascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Carlos Alan
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Dias-Junior
authors.forename: Stefany Bruno de Assis
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Cau
authors.forename: José Eduardo
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Tanus-Santos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000502:physiology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D006152:Cyclic GMP