Nitric Oxide: Current Perspectives in Health and Disease

The present review highlights the miraculous journey of a simple gas, nitric oxide (NO, previously called endothelium derived relaxing factor) and right from its historical to the future perspective. The synthesis of NO by nitric oxide synthases as well as its regulation is complex and tissue-dependent. Multiple physiological functions are served by NO and several drugs of clinical interest exert their therapeutic effects either by donating NO or by stabilizing NO synthesized endogenously. However, NO is a radical and because of its ability to beget other reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, it may become deleterious at times, resulting in disease. Careful and organ-specific regulation of NO availability is a key issue in the future management of human diseases.