Review article
Nitric oxide and nitrovasodilators: Similarities, differences and potential interactions

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Abstract

Many similarities exist between the exogenous nitrates and endothelium-derived relaxing factor, which is nitric oxide or a thiol derivative. Both act by way of guanylate cyclase, which increases intracellular concentrations of cyclic guanosine monophosphate, resulting in smooth muscle cell relaxation and antiplatelet effects. Thiols may be important in the biotransformation of exogenous nitrates and other intracellular processes involving nitric oxide. As such, important interactions might be expected between nitrates and endothelium-dependent processes that involve nitric oxide. This review explores the mechanisms of action, biologic effects and potential interactions between nitrates and endothelium-derived relaxing factor.

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This study was supported by a Clinical Fellowship of The Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (Dr. Anderson), Alberta, Canada; a National Heart Foundation of Australia Ralph Reader Overseas Research Fellowship (Dr. Meredith), Melbourne, Australia; and Research Career Development Award 1 K04 HL02566 (Dr. Ganz) Clinician-Investigator Development Award l K08 HL 02787 (Dr. Yeung) and R01HL-38780-05 (Dr. Selwyn) from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.