NITRIC-OXIDE AND LOW-DENSITY-LIPOPROTEIN OXIDATION

Nitric oxide can have both pro-oxidant and antioxidant effects on low- density lipoprotein. Nitric oxide does not appear to react directly wi th components of LDL. However, in the presence of oxygen (through NO2 and N2O3 formation) or superoxide (through peroxynitrite formation) ni tric oxide may cause oxidation of the lipid, protein and antioxidant c omponents of LDL. Conversely nitric oxide is a potent inhibitor of LDL oxidation when initiated by copper ions or by ate-initiators. The pos sible implications of these observations to vascular pathology are dis cussed.