In 1992 Nitric Oxide (No, not laughing gas - that's Nitrous oxide N2O) was awarded the prize. So what's the fuss about Nitric Oxide. Turns out it is produced in the body during biochemical processes in extremely small amounts but can be detected by cells and cell recognition processes to initiate and control important interactions - that is - an important cellular messenger molecule. And it's important in maintaining the human species!
Some interesting and relevant functions
Check out this article HERE on how Nitric Oxide can be used to deliver more oxygen in the blood to tissue.
- Nitric oxide is also known as the endothelium-derived relaxing factor, or EDRF. The endothelium (inner lining) of blood vessels uses nitric oxide to signal the surrounding smooth muscle to relax, thus resulting in vasodilation and increasing blood flow.
- Nitric oxide (NO) inhibits vascular smooth muscle contraction and growth, platelet aggregation, and leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium. Humans with atherosclerosis, diabetes, or hypertension often show impaired NO pathways.
- Nitric oxide is also generated by monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils as part of the human immune response.
- Nitric oxide secreted as an immune response is toxic to bacteria. In response, however, many bacterial pathogens have evolved mechanisms for nitric oxide resistance.
- Nitric oxide may serve as an indicator for inflammation in conditions such as asthma. There has been increasing interest in the use of exhaled nitric oxide as a breath test in diseases with airway inflammation.
- Reduced levels of exhaled NO have been associated with exposure to air pollution.
- Nitric oxide is elevated in populations living at high altitudes, which helps to avoid inadequate oxygen supply by aiding the cells in the lungs to dilate.
Check out this article HERE on how Nitric Oxide can be used to deliver more oxygen in the blood to tissue.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario