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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Chemiluminescence-based Assays for Detection of Nitric Oxide and its Derivatives from Autoxidation and Nitrosated Compounds
Published on: February 16, 2022
Using nitric oxide to treat tendinopathy.
1Orthopaedic Research Institute, University of New South Wales, The St George Hospital, Kogarah, Sydney, New South Wales 2217, Australia. admin@ori.org.au
Nitric oxide (NO) enhances tendon healing. Studies show transdermal NO patches improve recovery for conditions like tennis elbow and Achilles tendinosis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical science
- Molecular biology
- Sports medicine
Background:
- Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical produced by nitric oxide synthases (NOS).
- NO is upregulated in tendons following injury and in tendinopathy.
- NOS inhibition impairs tendon healing, while NO supplementation enhances it in animal models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in tendon healing and recovery.
- To evaluate the efficacy of transdermal NO delivery in human tendinopathies.
Main Methods:
- Review of animal models demonstrating the effects of NOS inhibition and NO supplementation on tendon healing.
- Analysis of three randomized clinical trials in humans using transdermal NO patches for tennis elbow, Achilles tendinosis, and supraspinatus tendinosis.
Main Results:
- Inhibition of NOS activity reduces tendon healing in animal studies.
- Supplementation with NO enhances tendon healing in animal models.
- Transdermal NO patches significantly improved subjective and objective recovery in patients with tennis elbow, Achilles tendinosis, and supraspinatus tendinosis.
Conclusions:
- Nitric oxide plays a crucial role in tendon healing.
- Transdermal NO delivery is an effective therapeutic strategy for managing tendinopathies like tennis elbow and Achilles tendinosis.
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