DOES NITRIC-OXIDE PLAY A ROLE IN LIVER-FUNCTION

Nitric oxide (NO) is becoming increasingly recognised as a signalling molecule in many organs, although its role in the liver remains to be fully elucidated. There is no doubt that liver cells can produce NO in response to a variety of stimuli including Corynebacterium parvum-inf ection, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and a variety of cytokines. Within th e liver, NO modulates some fundamental intracellular functions such as protein synthesis, mitochondrial electron transport and components of the citric acid cycle. Intercellular roles for NO in the liver may in clude drug metabolism and blood storage. Also, NO acts to protect the liver from immunological damage in models of hepatic inflammation. Und erstanding the role of NO in the liver may provide insight into the fu nctioning of this organ in health and disease.