Nitric oxide Flashcards
1
Q
What forms Nitric oxide?
A
L-arginine and oxygen by nitric oxide synthetase (NOS)
2
Q
Does nitric oxide have a short or long half life?
A
very short half-life (seconds), being inactivated by oxygen free radicals
3
Q
Effects of nitric oxide
A
acts on guanylate cyclase leading to raised intracellular cGMP levels and therefore decreasing Ca2+ levels
vasodilation (mainly veins)
inhibits platelet aggregation
4
Q
Underproduction of NO is associated with which conditions?
A
hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
promotes atherosclerosis
5
Q
clinical conditions with increased NO levels
A
in sepsis increased levels of NO contribute to septic shock
6
Q
Use of NO as treatment
A
organic nitrates (metabolism produces NO) is widely used to treat cardiovascular disease (e.g. angina, heart failure)
7
Q
A
