Review
Nitric oxide: An overview*

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9610(05)80017-0Get rights and content

Nitric oxide (NO), a paracrine-acting gas enzymatically synthesized from l-arginine, is a unique biologic mediator that has been implicated in a myriad of physiologic and pathophysiologic states. It is an important regulator of vascular tone and may be the mediator of the hemodynamic changes involved in sepsis and cirrhosis. In addition, there is increasing evidence that NO is involved in coagulation, immune function, inhibitory innervation of the gastrointestinal tract, protection of gastrointestinal mucosa, and the hepatotoxicity of cirrhosis. It has already been speculated that NO may represent a point of control or intervention in a number of disease states. The purpose of this paper is to provide the surgeon with a broad overview of the scientific and clinical aspects of this important molecule.

References (174)

  • MacDonaldPB et al.

    Synergistic inhibition of platelet aggregation by endothelium-derived relaxing factor and prostacyclin

    Thromb Res

    (1988)
  • KorbutR et al.

    Prolongation of fibrinolytic activity of tissue plasminogen activator by nitrovasodilators

    Lancet

    (1990)
  • KwonNS et al.

    Reduced biopterin as a cofactor in the generation of nitrogen oxides by murine macrophages

    J Biol Chem

    (1989)
  • LyonsCR et al.

    Molecular cloning and functional expression of an inducible nitric oxide synthase from a murine macrophage cell line

    J Biol Chem

    (1992)
  • NathanCF et al.

    Role of nitric oxide synthesis in macrophage antimicrobial activity

    Curr Opin Immunol

    (1991)
  • LancasterJR et al.

    EPR detection of heme and nonheme iron-containing protein nitrosylation by nitric oxide during rejection of rat heart allograft

    J Biol Chem

    (1992)
  • MoncadaS et al.

    Endogenous nitric oxide: physiology, pathology and clinical relevance

    Eur J Clin Invest.

    (1991)
  • FurchgottRF et al.

    The obligatory role of endothelial cells in the relaxation of arterial smooth muscle by acetylcholine

    Nature

    (1980)
  • ÄnggårdEE

    Endogenous and exogenous nitrates

    Acta Anaesthesiol Scand

    (1992)
  • MikiW et al.

    Activation of cerebral guanylate cyclase by nitric oxide

    Biochem Biophys Res Commun

    (1977)
  • KatsukiS et al.

    Stimulation of guanylate cyclase by sodium nitroprusside, nitroglycerin and nitric oxide in various tissue preparations and comparison to the effects of sodium azide and hydroxylamine

    J Cyclic Nucleotide Res

    (1977)
  • HolzmannS

    Endothelium-induced relaxation by acetylcholine associated with larger rises in cyclic GMP in coronary arterial strips

    J Cyclic Nucleotide Res

    (1982)
  • RapoportRM et al.

    Agonist-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in rat thoracic aorta may be mediated through cGMP

    Circ Res

    (1983)
  • MuradF

    Cyclic guanosine monophosphate as a mediator of vasodilation

    J Clin Invest

    (1986)
  • IgnarroLJ et al.

    Endothelium-derived relaxing factor produced and released from artery and vein is nitric oxide

  • PalmerRMJ et al.

    Nitric oxide release accounts for the biological activity of endothelium-derived relaxing factor

    Nature

    (1987)
  • FlavahanNA et al.

    G proteins and endothelial responses

    Blood Vessels

    (1990)
  • PohlU et al.

    Pulsartile perfusion stimulates the release of endothelial autocoids

    J Appl Cardiol

    (1986)
  • RubanyiGM et al.

    Flow induced release of endothelium derived relaxing factor

    Am J Physiol

    (1986)
  • IgnarroLJ et al.

    Mechanism of vascular smooth muscle relaxation by organic nitrates, nitrites, nitrites, nitroprusside and nitric oxide: evidence for the involvement of S-nitrosothiols as active intermediates

    J Pharmacol Exp Ther

    (1981)
  • StamlerJS et al.

    S-Nitrosylation of proteins with nitric oxide: synthesis and characterization of biologically active compounds

  • RosenblumWI

    Endothelium-derived relaxing factor in brain blood vessels is not nitric oxide

    Stroke

    (1992)
  • PalmerRMJ

    The discovery of nitric oxide in the vessel wall

    Arch Surg

    (1993)
  • KeelySL et al.

    Interaction of acetylcholine and epinephrine on heart cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases

    Am J Physiol

    (1978)
  • FujinoA et al.

    Effects of nitroglycerin on ATP-induced Ca++-mobilization, Ca++-activated K channels and contraction of cultured smooth muscle cells of porcine coronary artery

    J Pharmacol Exp Ther

    (1991)
  • FurchgottRF et al.

    Endothelium-derived relaxing and contracting factors

    FASEB J

    (1989)
  • IgnarroLJ

    Biosynthesis and metabolism of endothelium-derived nitric oxide

    Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol

    (1990)
  • GryglewskiRJ et al.

    Mediators produced by the endothelium

    Hypertension

    (1988)
  • BathPMW et al.

    Nitric oxide and prostacyclin: divergence of inhibitory effects on monocyte chemotaxis and adhesion to endothelium in vitro

    Arterioscler Thromb

    (1991)
  • ReesDD et al.

    Role of endothelium-derived nitric oxide in the regulation of blood pressure

  • GardinerSM et al.

    Control of regional blood flow by endothelium-derived nitric oxide

    Hypertension

    (1990)
  • EkelundU et al.

    Role of endothelium-derived nitric oxide in the regulation of tonus in large-bore arterial resistance vessels, arterioles and veins in cat skeletal muscle

    Acta Physiol Scand

    (1990)
  • KukovetzWR et al.

    Mechanism of nitrate induced vasodilatation and tolerance

    Z Kardiol

    (1983)
  • AxellssonKL et al.

    Tolerance towards nitroglycerin induced in vivo is correlated to a reduced cGMP response and an alteration in cGMP turnover

    Eur J Pharmacol

    (1983)
  • AmezcuaJL et al.

    Nitric oxide synthesized from l-arginine regulates vascular tone in the coronary circulation of the rabbit

    Br J Pharmacol

    (1989)
  • TolinsJP et al.

    Role of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) in regulation of renal hemodynamic responses

    Am J Physiol

    (1990)
  • PerssonMG et al.

    Endogenous nitric oxide as a probable modulator of pulmonary circulation and hypoxic pressor response in vivo

    Acta Physiol Scand

    (1990)
  • VilaJ et al.

    NG-Monomethyl-l-arginine and NG-nitro-l-arginine inhibit endothelium-dependent relaxations in human isolated omental arteries

    J Pharm Pharmacol

    (1991)
  • SalomMG et al.

    Blockade of pressure natriuresis induced by inhibition of renal synthesis of nitric oxide in dogs

    Am J Physiol

    (1991)
  • PanzaJA et al.

    Abnormal endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation in patients with essential hypertension

    NEJM

    (1990)
  • Cited by (154)

    • Administration of melatonin improves testicular blood flow, circulating hormones, and semen quality in Shiba goats

      2020, Theriogenology
      Citation Excerpt :

      Authors think the stimulatory effect of melatonin on TBF that was observed in the present experiment may be attributed in part to increased levels of NO which is considered one of the powerful vasodilators [26,55]. Nitric oxide is synthesized from l-arginine methyl ester amino acid by NO synthase enzyme in various peripheral tissues, including the testicular vasculature and seminiferous tubules [27]. Some studies proposed the local effects of NO to regulate the distribution of oxygen, nutrients, and hormones by the testicular vessels [26,55].

    • Heat shock protein 70 protects the quail cecum against oxidant stress, inflammatory injury, and microbiota imbalance induced by cold stress

      2019, Poultry Science
      Citation Excerpt :

      Nitric oxide plays a critical role in several physiological functions in the GI tract and gut responses to injury. It is generated in nerve cells of central and enteric nervous systems, where it serves as neurotransmitter to regulate functions ranging from digestion to blood flow and to memory and vision (Rodeberg et al., 1995). The data obtained from animal studies proposed that NO plays an essential role in protecting the gut from destruction.

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    *

    Supported by Shriners of North America Research Fellowship and Surgical Infection Society Research Fellowship.

    View full text