Nitric oxide synthase uncoupling: a therapeutic target in cardiovascular diseases
Abstract
Nitric oxide synthase enzyme (NOS) possesses the unique ability to be "uncoupled" to produce superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) instead of nitric oxide (NO). Reduced NO bioavailability as a result of NOS uncoupling has been speculated to play an essential role in cardiovascular pathologies including dilated cardiomyopathy, ischemia reperfusion injury, endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. NO serves many important roles in the heart including stimulation of adenylate cyclase (AC) at low levels or guanalyl cyclase (sGC) at higher levels, or by s-nitrosylation of intracellular Ca(2+) regulatory proteins thus altering excitation-contraction coupling. Not surprisingly, NOS uncoupling is an emerging therapeutic target in cardiovascular diseases. Restoring proper NOS activity by increasing intracellular levels of its cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is effective in the management of hypertensive diastolic dysfunction, ischemia-reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction and endothelial dysfunction. New evidence is constantly emerging highlighting the importance of NOS uncoupling in cardiovascular pathologies thus the purpose of this mini-review is to showcase the new advances and promising treatments fo...Continue Reading
References
Cardiac neuronal nitric oxide synthase isoform regulates myocardial contraction and calcium handling
Citations
Ibuprofen plus isosorbide dinitrate treatment in the mdx mice ameliorates dystrophic heart structure
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
CV Disorders & Type 2 Diabetes
This feed focuses on the association of cardiovascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Cardiovascular Disease Pathophysiology
Cardiovascular disease involves several different processes that contribute to the pathological mechanism, including hyperglycemia, inflammation, atherosclerosis, hypertension and more. Vasculature stability plays a critical role in the development of the disease. Discover the latest research on cardiovascular disease pathophysiology here.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory genetically determined disease of the skin marked by increased ability to form reagin (IgE), with increased susceptibility to allergic rhinitis and asthma, and hereditary disposition to a lowered threshold for pruritus. Discover the latest research on atopic dermatitis here.
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmias are abnormalities in heart rhythms, which can be either too fast or too slow. They can result from abnormalities of the initiation of an impulse or impulse conduction or a combination of both. Here is the latest research on arrhythmias.
Cardiomegaly
Cardiomegaly, known as an enlarged heart, is a multifactorial disease with different pathophysiological mechanisms. Hypertension, pregnancy, exercise-induced and idiopathic causes are some mechanisms of cardiomegaly. Discover the latest research of cardiomegaly here.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and thromboembolism. Here is the latest research.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle, that can lead to muscular or electrical dysfunction of the heart. It is often an irreversible disease that is associated with a poor prognosis. There are different causes and classifications of cardiomyopathies. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to this disease.