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Chemiluminescence-based Assays for Detection of Nitric Oxide and its Derivatives from Autoxidation and Nitrosated Compounds
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Advances in pharmacologic modulation of nitric oxide in hypertension

Yoshiko Mizuno1, Robert F Jacob, R Preston Mason

  • 1Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. ymizuno@elucidaresearch.com

Current Cardiology Reports
|September 3, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension causes endothelial dysfunction by reducing nitric oxide (NO) availability. Therapies enhancing NO bioavailability can improve vasodilation and reduce cardiovascular events in hypertensive vascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Hypertensive vascular disease involves structural and functional changes.
  • Hypertension and risk factors cause endothelial dysfunction, decreasing nitric oxide (NO) release and vascular responsiveness.
  • Mechanical stress in hypertension activates neurohormonal systems like the renin-angiotensin system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction in hypertension.
  • To discuss pharmacologic interventions for hypertensive vascular disease.
  • To compare therapeutic benefits of antihypertensive agents, focusing on NO bioavailability.

Main Methods:

  • Review of basic mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction.
  • Analysis of pharmacologic approaches enhancing endothelial NO bioavailability.
  • Comparative review of antihypertensive agents and their effects on NO.

Main Results:

  • Endothelial dysfunction is a key factor in hypertensive vascular disease.
  • Pharmacologic enhancement of NO bioavailability restores vasodilation and reduces clinical events.
  • Antihypertensive drugs have class-specific effects on vascular disease processes.

Conclusions:

  • Effective therapy is crucial to reduce cardiovascular risk in hypertensive vascular disease.
  • Enhancing NO bioavailability is a promising therapeutic strategy.
  • Understanding drug mechanisms is key to optimizing treatment for hypertension.

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