title: An Update on the Role of Nitric Oxide in the Neurodegenerative Processes of Parkinson's Disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is not fully understood. Together with some important physiological functions in the Central Nervous System (CNS), nitric oxide (NO) can have both, neuroprotective or neurotoxic actions, depending on its redox state. An important body of evidence suggests the involvement of NO in many of the processes leading to neurodegeneration in several neurological disorders including PD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The main aim of this review is to update the data regarding the possible involvement of NO in the pathogenesis of PD.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a literature review on neuropathological, biochemical and genetic studies in PD patients and in several experimental models of parkinsonism and role of NO in these models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results: Both studies in humans and in experimental models of parkinsonism give support to the contribution of NO in excitotoxicity, inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function impairment, DNA damage, and Snitrosylation of diverse proteins. The interaction of these mechanisms leads finally to neuronal death. The fact that selective of specific inhibitors of NO synthase (NOS, the enzyme responsible of NO synthesis) should prevent neuronal death through their actions of these pathogenic mechanisms supports the role of NO on PD as well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NO participates in the pathogenesis of PD by multiple mechanisms described in this review.
authors: C/ Marroquina 14, 3º B, E-28030 Madrid; Spain.
authors: Félix Javier
authors: FJ
authors: Jiménez-Jiménez
authors: Hortensia
authors: H
authors: Alonso-Navarro
authors: María Trinidad
authors: MT
authors: Herrero
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: García-Martín
authors: José A G
authors: JA
authors: Agúndez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase