Nitric oxide synthase-independent generation of nitric oxide in muscle ischemia--reperfusion injury

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important molecule in many physiological or pathophysiological processes including ischemia--reperfusion injury. The enzymatic nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-dependent pathway was universally accepted as the source of NO in ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, generation of NO that is independent of NOS has also been identified in ischemia--reperfusion injury to both cardiac and skeletal muscle. This review summarizes the evidence for the generation NOS-independent NO in ischemia--reperfusion injury to cardiac and skeletal muscle.