Nitric oxide in septic shock

Septic shock is a major cause of death following trauma and is a persistent problem in surgical patients throughout the world. It is characterised by hypotension and vascular collapse, with a failure of the major organs withi n the body. The role of excessive nitric oxide (NO) production, following t he cytokine-dependent induction of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNO S), in the development of septic shock is discussed. Emphasis is placed upo n the signal-transduction process by which iNOS is induced and the role of NO in cellular energy dysfunction and the abnormal function of the cardiova scular system and liver during septic shock. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.