News tagged with nitric oxide

Researchers discover a missing link in signals contributing to neurodegeneration

In many neurodegenerative diseases the neurons of the brain are over-stimulated and this leads to their destruction. After many failed attempts and much scepticism this process was finally shown last year to be a possible ...

Neuroscience created May 09, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Carnitine supplement may improve survival rates of children with heart defects

A common nutritional supplement may be part of the magic in improving the survival rates of babies born with heart defects, researchers report.

Pediatrics created May 08, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Breast milk ingredient could prevent necrotizing enterocolitis—deadly intestinal problem in preemies

An ingredient that naturally occurs in breast milk might be used to prevent premature babies from developing a deadly intestinal condition that currently is largely incurable, according to researchers at the University of ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created May 06, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 2 | with audio podcast

Store donated blood for more than three weeks? Say NO (nitric oxide)

Transfusion of donated blood more than three weeks old results in impaired blood vessel function, a new study of hospital patients shows. Blood banks now consider six weeks to be the maximum permitted storage time of blood ...

Medical research created Mar 10, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 1

Bacteria producing nitric oxide extend life in roundworms

Nitric oxide, the versatile gas that helps increase blood flow, transmit nerve signals, and regulate immune function, appears to perform one more biological feat— prolonging the life of an organism and ...

Medical research created Feb 14, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Discovery of nitric oxide delivery mechanism may point to new avenue for treating high blood pressure

(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have shed new light on blood pressure regulation with the discovery of an unexpected mechanism by which hemoglobin controls the delivery of nitric ...

Medical research created Nov 14, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (5) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Preclinical muscular dystrophy data shows promise

Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute researchers have found that an experimental compound may help stem the debilitating effects of muscular dystrophy by restoring normal blood flow to muscles affected by the genetic disorder.

Medical research created Nov 08, 2012 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Researchers uncover biochemical events needed to maintain erection

For two decades, scientists have known the biochemical factors that trigger penile erection, but not what's needed to maintain one. Now an article by Johns Hopkins researchers, scheduled to be published this week by the Proceedings of ...

Medical research created Sep 26, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (6) | comments 6 | with audio podcast

Inhalable nitric oxide shown safe as potential anti-microbial treatment

Results from a clinical study by a UBC-Vancouver Coastal Health research team have increased hope for a new, effective and inexpensive anti-microbial treatment using inhalable nitric oxide.

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Jul 04, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Finding in arginine paradox study translates into treatment for teen

In the spring of 2010, Baylor College of Medicine's Dr. Brendan Lee received a desperate email from the mother of one of his patients. The teen – who had been Lee's patient for most of his life – was in hypertensive ...

Genetics created Apr 26, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Preemies still receive inhaled nitric oxide despite lack of supporting evidence and standards

Many premature infants throughout the United States continue to receive inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) during their NICU stay, despite the lack of evidence to support its use. Whether or not a preemie will receive iNO treatment, ...

Health created Mar 12, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Critical element that improves vascular function in postmenopausal women found

Researchers studying why arteries stiffen in postmenopausal women have found a specific chemical cofactor that dramatically improves vascular function.

Medical research created Feb 14, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Heart drug may be effective for managing certain cancers: study

Researchers at Queen's University have identified a new mechanism that could potentially explain why the body's immune system sometimes fails to eliminate cancer. The new findings shed light on the possible cause of immune ...

Cancer created Dec 14, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

L-arginine: Supplement tested on fit, athletic men shows no advantage

One of the most recent, popular supplements for athletes looking to boost performance comes in the form of a naturally-occurring amino acid called L-arginine.

Other created Nov 22, 2011 | popularity 3 / 5 (1) | comments 0

'Moonlighting' enzyme unravels arginine paradox

(Medical Xpress) -- Nearly 20 years ago, the journal Science tagged nitric oxide as the "molecule of the year." Since that time, researchers have tried to study and target this simple molecule that is involved in virtually every ...

Medical research created Nov 13, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 2 | with audio podcast

Nitric oxide

Nitric oxide or nitrogen monoxide is a chemical compound with chemical formula NO. This gas is an important signaling molecule in the body of mammals, including humans, and is an extremely important intermediate in the chemical industry. It is also an air pollutant produced by cigarette smoke, automobile engines and power plants.

NO is an important messenger molecule involved in many physiological and pathological processes within the mammalian body both beneficial and detrimental. Appropriate levels of NO production are important in protecting an organ such as the liver from ischemic damage. However sustained levels of NO production result in direct tissue toxicity and contribute to the vascular collapse associated with septic shock, whereas chronic expression of NO is associated with various carcinomas and inflammatory conditions including juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis, arthritis and ulcerative colitis.

Nitric oxide should not be confused with nitrous oxide (N2O), a general anaesthetic and greenhouse gas, or with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) which is another air pollutant. The nitric oxide molecule is a free radical, which is relevant to understanding its high reactivity.

Despite being a simple molecule, NO is a fundamental player in the fields of neuroscience, physiology, and immunology, and was proclaimed “Molecule of the Year” in 1992.

For more information about Nitric oxide, read the full article at Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.