Clinical implications of hemoglobin as a nitric oxide carrier

Hemoglobin is perhaps the most intensively studied of the biologically important molecules. Much is known of its structure, its function, and its regulation. In addition to well-characterized processes of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide transport, new data suggest a key role of hemoglobin as a carrier of nitric oxide. In this review, we describe the basis of this interaction, as well as its clinical relevance to such problems as acute respiratory distress syndrome, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and transplant allograft survival.