[Current knowledge on the formation of nitric oxide in endothelial cells of blood vessels, in nerve cells and macrophages as well as its significance in vascular dilatation, information transmission and damage of tumor cells]

Abstract

The vasculature endothelium cells and the nerve cells of several regions of the brain and the autonomous nerve system contain a nitric oxide (NO)-synthase, that forms NO from arginine. The NO-synthase is stimulated by bradykinin, histamine and acetylcholine and is especially active in the coronary and brain vessels. In the vasculature smooth muscle NO activates the guanylate cyclase: The increase in the concentration of cGMP induces a relaxation and in this way a vasodilatation. In the nerve cells NO is active as a neuromodulator. The activation of macrophages by gamma-interferon or by lipopolysaccharides induces the formation of a NO-synthase, that has other properties than the enzyme of the endothelium cells. The macrophages secrete NO and inhibit the metabolism of tumour cells, especially enzymes of the respiratory chain and of the citric acid cycle as well as the DNA-synthesis. Trinitroglycerin and amyl nitrite form with thiol-compounds S-nitroso-compounds, the decomposition of these forms NO.