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Potential genotoxicity of chronically elevated nitric oxide: a review
1Institute for Comparative and Environmental Toxicology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Mutation Research
|June 1, 1995
Summary
Chronic infections elevate nitric oxide (NO), a free radical. Long-term NO exposure may cause genotoxic effects, potentially increasing cancer risk through DNA damage mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Several human cancers are linked to chronic infections.
- Elevated levels of nitric oxide (NO), a physiological free radical, are observed during these infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential genotoxic effects of long-term elevated nitric oxide (NO) exposure in the context of chronic infections.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which NO may contribute to cancer development.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on nitric oxide (NO) production and function.
- Analysis of proposed mechanisms for NO-induced DNA damage.
- Correlation of infection-associated NO elevation with cancer risk.
Main Results:
- Long-term exposure to elevated intracellular NO may exert genotoxic effects.
- NO can react with oxygen to form reactive species like peroxynitrite and hydroxyl radicals.
- These reactive species can lead to DNA base deamination and oxidation.
Conclusions:
- Elevated nitric oxide (NO) during chronic infections presents a potential genotoxic risk.
- Mechanisms include N-nitroso compound formation, direct DNA deamination, and oxidative DNA damage.
- These pathways may theoretically explain the increased risk of certain cancers associated with chronic infections.