关键词:
心血管生理学
中枢神经系统/生理学
消化生理学
免疫
一氧化氮/生理学
一氧化氮合酶/拮抗剂和抑制剂
一氧化氮合酶/代谢
阴茎勃起/生理学
磷酰化
呼吸生理学
动物
人类
男(雄)性
摘要:
Recognition of Nitric oxide (NO) as the chemical entity of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) has renewed the interest of the scientific community in the last decade. The outcome of research the world over is that the dreaded environmental pollutant is found to be a fundamental physiological mediator and effector. NO is synthesized endogenously by enzymes nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in specialized tissues from its precursor L-arginine. The L-arginine-NO biosynthetic pathway is involved in physiological processes such as vasodilation, memory, neuroprotection, peristalsis, penile erection, immune defense, various endocrine and exocrine secretions in various systems such as cardiovascular, CNS, reproductive and immune system. Small quantities of NO produced by constitutive enzymes mediate these physiological effects. The expression of inducible enzyme or overstimulation of constitutive enzymes leading to production of large quantities of NO is implicated in the cytotoxic effects observed in various disorders like AIDS, cancer, Alzheimer's, arthritis etc. In conclusion, NO is a 'double edged sword' and the challenge before the scientific community is to develop strategies for using it to our advantage.