NITRIC-OXIDE AND NITROVASODILATORS - SIMILARITIES, DIFFERENCES AND POTENTIAL INTERACTIONS

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 c oncentrations of cyclic guanosine monophosphate, resulting in smooth m uscle cell relaxation and antiplatelet effects. Thiols may be importan t in the biotransformation of exogenous nitrates and other intracellul ar processes involving nitric oxide. As such, important interactions m ight be expected between nitrates and endothelium-dependent processes that involve nitric oxide. This review explores the mechanisms of acti on, biologic effects and potential interactions between nitrates and e ndothelium-derived relaxing factor.