Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway

Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway

Nitric oxide (NO), an inorganic gas, acts as a potent second messenger in most animal and plant tissues. NO diffuses out of the cells that produce it and enters the neighboring cells to generate a downstream response. NO synthase (NOS) catalyzes NO production by the deamination of the amino acid arginine. There are three isoforms of NOS. Endothelial cells have endothelial NOS (eNOS), nerve and muscle cells have neuronal NOS (nNOS), and macrophages produce inducible NOS (iNOS) upon exposure to...

Antianginal Drugs: Nitrates and β-Blockers

Antianginal Drugs: Nitrates and β-Blockers

In cardiovascular health, antianginal drugs combat angina pectoris — a condition marked by chest pain owing to diminished blood flow to the heart.
Organic nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, play a pivotal role. Once metabolized, they liberate nitric oxide, a molecular marvel. Nitric oxide triggers guanylyl cyclase and augments cGMP production. This biochemical cascade orchestrates the relaxation of vascular smooth muscles, ushering in vasodilation and enhancing coronary blood flow. Administered...

Antihypertensive Drugs: Vasodilators

Antihypertensive Drugs: Vasodilators

Vasodilators, primarily affecting the smooth muscles within arterial and venous walls, are commonly used for hypertension treatment. Medications such as minoxidil and hydralazine primarily target arteries and arterioles, while sodium nitroprusside acts on arterioles and venules. Minoxidil, functioning as a prodrug, is metabolized by hepatic sulfotransferase into its active form, minoxidil sulfate, after oral administration. This metabolite binds to the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) component of...

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists

Prostacyclin receptor agonists are a class of therapeutic agents integral to managing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These drugs operate by mimicking the action of prostaglandin I2, or PGI2, a naturally occurring compound in the body.
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors

Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are potent enzymes that function to hydrolyze cyclic nucleotides to their corresponding 5' monophosphates. Their unique biochemical properties have been applied in treating Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH).
Among the PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil (Revatio) stands out as a competitive and selective inhibitor. It operates by elevating cellular levels of cGMP and augmenting signaling through the cGMP-PKG pathway, promoting vasodilation. Upon oral...

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists

Endothelins (ETs) are potent vasoactive peptides critical in the human body's various physiological and pathological processes. One of the most promising therapeutic strategies for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) involves counteracting the effects of these endothelins using a class of drugs known as endothelin receptor antagonists.
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE). Of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Detecting human coronary inflammation by imaging perivascular fat.

Science translational medicine·2017

Same author

A prospective study of external stenting of saphenous vein grafts to the right coronary artery: the VEST II study.

European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery·2017

Same author

A case report of acute right coronary artery thrombosis in young male: the role of heredity and genetic polymorphism.

International journal of cardiology·2014

Same author

Novel biomarkers assessing endothelial dysfunction: role of microRNAs.

Current topics in medicinal chemistry·2013

Same author

The impact of G5665T polymorphism of endothelin-1 gene, on endothelin-1 levels and left ventricular function in ischemic heart disease.

International journal of cardiology·2013

Same author

Insight to the pathophysiology of stable angina pectoris.

Current pharmaceutical design·2012

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Chemiluminescence-based Assays for Detection of Nitric Oxide and its Derivatives from Autoxidation and Nitrosated Compounds

Chemiluminescence-based Assays for Detection of Nitric Oxide and its Derivatives from Autoxidation and Nitrosated Compounds

Published on: February 16, 2022

Novel agents targeting nitric oxide.

Anna-Maria Kampoli¹, Dimitris Tousoulis, Costas Tentolouris

¹1st Cardiology Unit, Hippokration Hospital, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece. kampoliannamaria@yahoo.gr

Current Vascular Pharmacology

|November 25, 2011

Summary

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a crucial role in vascular health. Improving NO bioavailability can reverse endothelial dysfunction, benefiting individuals with or at risk of atherosclerosis.

More Related Videos

Application of Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Nitric Oxide (NO•) Probes, the geNOps, for Real-time Imaging of NO• Signals in Single Cells

Application of Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Nitric Oxide (NO•) Probes, the geNOps, for Real-time Imaging of NO• Signals in Single Cells

Published on: March 16, 2017

A Novel Inhalation Mask System to Deliver High Concentrations of Nitric Oxide Gas in Spontaneously Breathing Subjects

A Novel Inhalation Mask System to Deliver High Concentrations of Nitric Oxide Gas in Spontaneously Breathing Subjects

Published on: May 4, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 27, 2026

Chemiluminescence-based Assays for Detection of Nitric Oxide and its Derivatives from Autoxidation and Nitrosated Compounds

Chemiluminescence-based Assays for Detection of Nitric Oxide and its Derivatives from Autoxidation and Nitrosated Compounds

Published on: February 16, 2022

Application of Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Nitric Oxide (NO•) Probes, the geNOps, for Real-time Imaging of NO• Signals in Single Cells

Application of Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Nitric Oxide (NO•) Probes, the geNOps, for Real-time Imaging of NO• Signals in Single Cells

Published on: March 16, 2017

A Novel Inhalation Mask System to Deliver High Concentrations of Nitric Oxide Gas in Spontaneously Breathing Subjects

A Novel Inhalation Mask System to Deliver High Concentrations of Nitric Oxide Gas in Spontaneously Breathing Subjects

Published on: May 4, 2021

Area of Science:

Cardiovascular Science
Endothelial Biology
Pharmacology

Background:

Endothelial dysfunction is a key factor in all stages of atherogenesis.
Nitric oxide (NO), synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), is vital for vascular health.
Evaluating endothelial function has predictive value in human cardiovascular outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

To review therapeutic strategies targeting NO bioavailability.
To highlight the role of NO in reversing endothelial dysfunction.
To discuss interventions for atherosclerosis management.

Main Methods:

Literature review of therapeutic interventions.
Analysis of NO synthesis and inactivation pathways.
Examination of endothelial function assessment and its predictive role.

Main Results:

Therapeutic strategies can enhance NO bioavailability in the vasculature.
Interventions targeting NO synthesis and oxidative inactivation can reverse endothelial dysfunction.
Improved NO bioavailability positively impacts outcomes in various cardiovascular risk groups.

Conclusions:

Enhancing nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability is a promising therapeutic approach for endothelial dysfunction.
Available strategies, including statins and ACE inhibitors, target NO pathways to improve vascular health.
Targeting NO metabolism offers a way to manage atherosclerosis and improve patient prognosis.