Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO), a small, gaseous signaling molecule, plays a vital role in numerous processes such as hemodynamic maintenance, immune responses, and neurotransmission. Synthesized by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in human tissue, NO can act as an electron donor or acceptor and thus participate in physiologic redox reactions. At low concentrations, NO plays a role in the regulation of immune responses with downstream effects including inducing inflammation, propagation of the cellular immune response, and direct cytotoxicity. Overproduction of NO at high concentrations results in DNA damage, inhibition of DNA repair, excess proliferation, and angiogenesis. Thus, at the genetic level, NO can either be cytoprotective or be cytotoxic, allowing scientists to harness the power of NO as an agent of future therapeutic strategy in cancer, cardiovascular disease, epilepsy, type II diabetes and others. The promising pharmaceutical future of NO is demonstrated in the fact that there are nearly 100 clinical trials focusing on NO as the primary target of interest. While NO may be minuscule in nature, it’s roles, activities, and implications seem to be a microcosm of discovery waiting for the scientific community to understand.