Nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation

Nitric oxide can both promote and inhibit lipid peroxidation. By itself, ni tric oxide acts as a patent inhibitor of the lipid peroxidation chain react ion by scavenging propagatory lipid peroxyl radicals. In addition, nitric o xide can also inhibit many potential initiators of lipid peroxidation, such as peroxidase enzymes. However, in the presence of superoxide, nitric oxid e forms peroxynitrite, a powerful oxidant capable of initiating lipid perox idation and oxidizing lipid soluble antioxidants. The role of nitric oxide in vascular pathology is discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.