[Nitric oxide in the cardiovascular system: its role in adaptive protection]

Nitric oxide (NO) is involved virtually in all processes occurring in the body. In the cardiovascular system, it regulates cardiac contractility, blood coagulability, cell proliferation, vascular tone, and blood pressure (BP). NO deficiency leads to the development of severe cardiovascular diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction, abnormally increased vascular tone and BP (such as hypertension, angina pectoris, atherosclerosis, diabetic angiopathy, etc.) At the same time, NO hyperproduction makes a contribution to the development of septic, cardiogenic, thermal, and other shocks. The most effective non-drug stimulation of NO synthesis is a gradual adaptation to environmental factors. The adaptation-induced elevation of NO levels, followed by vascular wall NO deposition, on the one hand, limits the damaging action of excess NO in shocks by the feedback, and, on the other, makes up some NO reserve which may be used in NO deficiency. Further studies of NO-dependent adaptive mechanisms will allow the agent to be used in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases associated with NO metabolic disturbances.