Nitric oxide and NO-syntheses in mammals in different functional states

This review deals with the physical and chemical properties of nitric oxide as well as with the mechanisms and enzymes synthesizing this compound in a nimals including humans. The cytotoxic, vasodilatory, neuromediatory, and o ther properties of NO are analyzed. Polyfunctionality of NO in the norm and in pathologies of different genesis is shown. It is suggested that the ana lysis of the mechanisms of cyclic conversion of nitric oxide and the elucid ation of the role of all NO metabolism products in living organisms would a llow us to approach a more profound understanding of the NO problem in biol ogy and medicine. It is reasonable to think the knowledge obtained in the c ourse of the studies will permit an elaboration of the strategy and tactics of medical treatment of many diseases occurring on the background of distu rbance in the mechanisms of formation and utilization of this compound.