Open AccessInducible nitric oxide synthase and atherosclerosis
Author(s) -
Ikeda Ulchi,
Maeda Yoshikazu,
Shimada Kazuyuki
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960210705
Subject(s) - medicine , nitric oxide synthase , nitric oxide , atp synthase , biochemistry , enzyme , chemistry
Nitric oxide (NO) synthase induction in vascular smooth muscle cells may play a role in local vascular injury associated with atherosclerosis or postangioplasty restenosis by inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation and contraction, as well as by preventing leukocyte and platelet adhesion. The expression of inducible NO synthase is increased in balloon‐injured arteries of experimental animals or in human atherosclerotic lesions. Replacement therapy with NO donors or NO synthase gene transfer may improve the clinical course of atherosclerosis or restenosis.