Nitric oxide as a regulator of inflammatory processes

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2005 Mar:100 Suppl 1:5-9. doi: 10.1590/s0074-02762005000900002. Epub 2005 Jun 14.

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in mediating many aspects of inflammatory responses. NO is an effector molecule of cellular injury, and can act as an anti-oxidant. It can modulate the release of various inflammatory mediators from a wide range of cells participating in inflammatory responses (e.g., leukocytes, macrophages, mast cells, endothelial cells, and platelets). It can modulate blood flow, adhesion of leukocytes to the vascular endothelium and the activity of numerous enzymes, all of which can have an impact on inflammatory responses. In recent years, NO-releasing drugs have been developed, usually as derivatives of other drugs, which exhibit very powerful anti-inflammatory effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / physiology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Free Radical Scavengers / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Inflammation / physiopathology*
  • Inflammation Mediators / physiology
  • Nitric Oxide / physiology*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Nitric Oxide