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Related Concept Videos

Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway01:28

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...
Male Sexual Response: Erection & Ejaculation01:17

Male Sexual Response: Erection & Ejaculation

Sexual stimulation can take various forms, such as physical touch and visual or auditory cues. When this happens, the parasympathetic reflex in the sacral portion of the spinal cord is activated. This reflex stimulates the release of nitric oxide (NO), which then dilates the arterioles in the penis, increasing blood flow to the erectile tissues - the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum.
The blood filling the erectile tissues compresses the veins, which helps to prevent blood from leaving...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Vasodilators01:23

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...
Antianginal Drugs: Nitrates and β-Blockers01:16

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...
Paracrine Signaling01:21

Paracrine Signaling

Paracrine signaling allows cells to communicate with their immediate neighbors via secretion of signaling molecules. Such a signal can only trigger a response in nearby target cells because the signal molecules degrade quickly or are inactivated if not taken up. Prominent examples of paracrine signaling include nitric oxide signaling in blood vessels, synaptic signaling of neurons, the blood clotting system, tissue repair/wound healing, and local allergic skin reactions. Nitric oxide as a...
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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).
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

En Face Detection of Nitric Oxide and Superoxide in Endothelial Layer of Intact Arteries
08:58

En Face Detection of Nitric Oxide and Superoxide in Endothelial Layer of Intact Arteries

Published on: February 25, 2016

Nitric oxide may mediate nipple erection.

Murat Tezer1, Yasemin Ozluk, Oner Sanli

  • 1Department of Urology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, 34390, Capa - Istanbul, Turkey. dr_murat3@hotmail.com

Journal of Andrology
|December 31, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes, including eNOS and nNOS, are present in the human nipple-areola complex. This finding helps explain the mechanism of nipple erection through smooth muscle relaxation.

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Preparation of Rat Skeletal Muscle Homogenates for Nitrate and Nitrite Measurements
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Preparation of Rat Skeletal Muscle Homogenates for Nitrate and Nitrite Measurements

Published on: July 29, 2021

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Last Updated: May 26, 2026

En Face Detection of Nitric Oxide and Superoxide in Endothelial Layer of Intact Arteries
08:58

En Face Detection of Nitric Oxide and Superoxide in Endothelial Layer of Intact Arteries

Published on: February 25, 2016

Preparation of Rat Skeletal Muscle Homogenates for Nitrate and Nitrite Measurements
07:19

Preparation of Rat Skeletal Muscle Homogenates for Nitrate and Nitrite Measurements

Published on: July 29, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Histology
  • Urology

Background:

  • Nipple erection (NE) is a complex physiological response to various stimuli.
  • The precise mechanism of NE is not fully understood, with prior research suggesting sympathetic nervous system activation and smooth muscle contraction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and localization of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the human nipple-areola complex (NAC).
  • To elucidate the role of NOS in the mechanism of nipple erection.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemical analysis of sagittal sections from 17 human NACs.
  • Investigated the expression and localization of endothelial NOS (eNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS).

Main Results:

  • eNOS was found in the vascular endothelium, ductal epithelium, and smooth muscles of the NAC.
  • nNOS was identified in neural fibers, smooth muscles, ductal epithelium, and vascular endothelium within the NAC.
  • The NAC lacks sinusoidal spaces comparable to penile cavernous tissue.

Conclusions:

  • The study demonstrates the expression of eNOS and nNOS in the human NAC.
  • These findings suggest that nitric oxide synthesis plays a role in regulating NAC smooth muscle function and may contribute to nipple erection.