Nitric Oxide
Synonyms
Endogenous Nitrate Vasodilator
Endothelium-Derived Nitric Oxide
Mononitrogen Monoxide
Monoxide, Mononitrogen
Monoxide, Nitrogen
Nitrate Vasodilator, Endogenous
Nitric Oxide, Endothelium Derived
Nitric Oxide, Endothelium-Derived
Nitrogen Monoxide
Nitrogen oxide (NO)
Oxide, Nitric
Vasodilator, Endogenous Nitrate
A free radical gas produced endogenously by a variety of mammalian cells, synthesized from ARGININE by NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE. Nitric oxide is one of the ENDOTHELIUM-DEPENDENT RELAXING FACTORS released by the vascular endothelium and mediates VASODILATION. It also inhibits platelet aggregation, induces disaggregation of aggregated platelets, and inhibits platelet adhesion to the vascular endothelium. Nitric oxide activates cytosolic GUANYLATE CYCLASE and thus elevates intracellular levels of CYCLIC GMP.