Organic Nitrates and Nitrites

Fig. 2.1 Commonly used organic nitrates and nitrites. GTN, glyceryl trinitrate ISDN, isosorbide dinitrate IAN, isoamyl nitrite IBN isobutyl nitrite.

Kowaluk, E. A., Fung, H-L., Vascular nitric oxide-generating activities for organic nitrates and nitrites are distinct. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Then 259 (1991), p. 519-525... 

Thiol-Dependent Cleavage of Organic Nitrates and Nitrites 9.2.3.4. Hemoprotein-Dependent Reductive Cleavage of Organic Nitrates and Nitrites... 

Thiol-Dependent Cleavage of Organic Nitrates and Nitrites... 

It seems likely that the mechanism of action of all of the organic nitrates and nitrites should be analogous. They exhibit direct relaxant effects on vascular, smooth musculature, which results in general dilation of vessels—predominantly veins, bnt also arteries to a... 

Nitric oxide generation from L-arginine and nitric oxide donors and the formation of cGMP. L-NMMA inhibits nitric oxide synthase. Some of the nitric oxide donors such as furoxans and organic nitrates and nitrites require a thiol cofactor such as cysteine or glutathione to form nitric oxide. 

Organic nitrates (and nitrites) are simple nitric and nitrous acid esters of alcohols. They differ in their volatility for example, isosorbide dinitrate is solid at room temperature, nitroglycerin is only moderately volatile, whereas amyl nitrate is extremely volatile. These compounds cause a rapid reduction in myocardial oxygen demand followed by rapid relief of symptoms. They are effective in stable and unstable angina, as well as Prinzmetal s or variant angina pectoris. 

FAO/WHO. 2003c. Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations/World Health Organization. Nitrate and Nitrite Intake Assessment). WHO Food Additive series 50, Geneva World Health Organisation. Available at URL http // www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v50je07.htm. 

Thatcher, G.R.J. (2007). Organic nitrates and nitrites as stores of No, radicals for life The various forms of nitric oxide. In van Fassen, E., and Vanin, A. (ed.). Amsterdam, Elsevier. 

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