Nitric oxide physiological effects

Nitric oxide—Physiological effect. I. Lancaster, Jack R. 

Nitric oxide may induce deleterious effects when airway epithelial or immunological cells are exposed to mineral particles (asbestos, quartz). These particles also stimulate cells to produce NO in large quantities, but pulmonary cells are unable to destroy these particles, and a non-physiologically excess production of NO results, perhaps causing tissue damage due to a reaction of NO with cellular macromolecules. 

Cyclic GMP is made from GTP by the enzyme gua-nylyl cyclase, which exists in soluble and membrane-bound forms. Each of these isozymes has unique physiologic properties. The atriopeptins, a family of peptides produced in cardiac atrial tissues, cause natriuresis, diuresis, vasodilation, and inhibition of aldosterone secretion. These peptides (eg, atrial natriuretic factor) bind to and activate the membrane-bound form of guanylyl cyclase. This results in an increase of cGMP by as much as 50-fold in some cases, and this is thought to mediate the effects mentioned above. Other evidence links cGMP to vasodilation. A series of compounds, including nitroprusside, nitroglycerin, nitric oxide, sodium nitrite, and sodium azide, all cause smooth muscle re-... 

After an overview of neurotransmitter systems and function and a consideration of which substances can be classified as neurotransmitters, section A deals with their release, effects on neuronal excitability and receptor interaction. The synaptic physiology and pharmacology and possible brain function of each neurotransmitter is then covered in some detail (section B). Special attention is given to acetylcholine, glutamate, GABA, noradrenaline, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and the peptides but the purines, histamine, steroids and nitric oxide are not forgotten and there is a brief overview of appropriate basic pharmacology. 

Not all oxidants formed biolc cally have the potential to promote lipid peroxidation. The free radicals superoxide and nitric oxide [or endothelium-derived relaxing aor (EDRF)] are known to be formed in ww but are not able to initiate the peroxidation of lipids (Moncada et tU., 1991). The protonated form of the superoxide radical, the hydroperoxy radical, is capable of initiating lipid peroxidation but its low pili of 4.5 effectively precludes a major contribution under most physiological conditions, although this has been suggested (Aikens and Dix, 1991). Interestingly, the reaction product between nitric oxide and superoxide forms the powerful oxidant peroxynitrite (Equation 2.6) at a rate that is essentially difiiision controlled (Beckman eta/., 1990 Huie and Padmaja, 1993). 

Hydroxyurea is a ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor that prevents DNA synthesis and traditionally has been used in chemotherapy regimens. Studies in the 1990s also found that hydroxyurea increases HbF levels as well as increasing the number of HbF-containing reticulocytes and intracellular HbF. Other beneficial effects of hydroxyurea include antioxidant properties, reduction of neutrophils and monocytes, increased intracellular water content leading to increased red cell deformability, decreased red cell adhesion to endothelium, and increased levels of nitric oxide, which is a regulator involved in physiologic disturbances.22... 

Hogaboam, C.M., Jacobson, K., Collins, S.M. and Blennerhassett, M.G. (1995) The selective beneficial effects of nitric oxide inhibition in experimental colitis. American Journal of Physiology 268, G673—684. 

In conclusion, it should be stressed that the competition between pro- and antiapoptotic effects of nitric oxide must probably depends on its relevant levels [137] the low physiological levels of NO principally suppress the apoptotic pathway by several mechanisms, whereas the higher rates of NO production may overcome cellar protective mechanisms and stimulate apoptosis. Furthermore, the simultaneous formation of nitric oxide and superoxide increases the possibility of apoptosis activation due to the formation of peroxynitrite. 

NO (molecular weight = 30) is small but plays a big role in physiological regulation, not least in the vasculature where its effects were first seen (see Chapter 4). Endothelium-derived relaxation factor (EDRF) was discovered its ability to cause dilatation of vessels by relaxing the arterial muscle layer. Only much later was EDRF discovered to be a gas, nitric oxide. More recent interest in NO is based on the evidence that it is antiatherogenic. The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is complex but many of the known effects of NO can be implicated in this common and serious condition. 

If jS-cell production of nitric oxide participates in IDDM, human islets must produce nitric oxide in response to cytokines. We have shown that a combination of cytokines (lL-1, IFN, and TNF) induce the formation of nitric oxide by isolated human islets (Corbett et al., 1993b). The formation of nitric oxide has been demonstrated by cytokine-induced cGMP accumulation, nitrite formation, and EPR-detectable iron-nitrosyl complex formation (Fig. 12), all of which were prevented by NMMA. The cytokine combination of IFN and lL-1 are required for nitrite production, while TTSIF potentiates IL-1 and IFN-induced nitrite formation by human islets. The cytokine combination of lL-1, TNF, and IFN also influences the physiological function of insulin secretion by human islets. Low concentrations of this cytokine combination slightly stimulate insulin secretion, while high concentrations inhibit insulin secretion, similar to the concentration-dependent effects of lL-1 on rat islet function. NMMA partially prevents the inhibitory effects of this cytokine combination on insulin secretion from human islets, suggesting that nitric oxide may participate in )3-cell dysfunction associated with IDDM. 

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