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Analytical Techniques for Assaying Nitric Oxide Bioactivity
Published on: June 18, 2012
Clinical aspects of nitrate tolerance
1University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Albuquerque.
Abstract:
Tolerance to the organic nitrates is a vexing problem. Tolerance is clearly avoidable with the employment of appropriate and well-designed dosing regimes, utilizing fewer doses and/or a nitrate-free interval. The emerging story of thiol donors and ACE inhibition to prevent tolerance is as yet incomplete. Hopefully, future research will provide the clinician with additional modalities to eliminate the threat of nitrate attenuation. The organic nitrates are superb drugs whose potential usefulness in cardiovascular medicine is clearly limited by nitrate tolerance. While the mechanisms involved in producing vascular smooth muscle attenuation are complex and multiple, it appears that we will be able to resolve this problem in the future, increasing the remarkable benefits of these drugs for patients around the world.
Insights
Nitrate tolerance, a significant issue in cardiovascular medicine, can be managed with specific dosing strategies. Future research aims to develop new treatments to overcome this limitation and enhance the benefits of organic nitrates.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Organic nitrates are essential cardiovascular drugs.
- Nitrate tolerance limits their therapeutic effectiveness.
- Understanding tolerance mechanisms is crucial for optimizing treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review strategies for avoiding nitrate tolerance.
- To discuss emerging therapies like thiol donors and ACE inhibitors.
- To highlight the need for future research in this area.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on nitrate tolerance.
- Analysis of dosing regimens and their impact on tolerance.
- Exploration of pharmacological interventions.
Main Results:
- Nitrate tolerance is often avoidable with proper dosing.
- Specific dosing regimens, including nitrate-free intervals, can prevent tolerance.
- Thiol donors and ACE inhibitors show potential but require further study.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing dosing is key to managing nitrate tolerance.
- Further research is needed to develop novel strategies.
- Overcoming nitrate tolerance will expand the clinical utility of these vital drugs.
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