The Science

What is Nitric Oxide? & Why Should I Care?

Nitric Oxide (nitrogen oxide, nitrogen monoxide)

Nitric oxide or NO has become one of the most studied molecules in scientific and medical literature. Although only relatively recently was it discovered to be produced in the human body, the chemical properties of NO gas were first characterized in 1772. Indeed, there have been over 140,000 publications on NO, more than half of which have appeared in the last 12 years. NO produced in biological systems has a half-life of less than 1 second and is biologically active in the concentration range from 1-100nM. Another interesting feature is that NO is lipophilic so it can readily permeate biological membranes. The concept of a gas selectively and specifically mediating cell signaling events is unlike the conventional receptor-ligand concepts associated with cell signaling.

These discoveries were so revolutionary that the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Robert Furchgott, Louis Ignarro, and Ferid Murad for their discoveries of NO as a signal molecule in the vasculature and specifically in the control of blood pressure. In addition to this role, NO is one of the most important signaling molecules in the body, and is involved in virtually every organ system where it is responsible for modulating an astonishing variety of effects. NO has been shown to be involved in and affect (just to list a few major examples) neurotransmission, memory, stroke, glaucoma and neural degeneration, pulmonary hypertension, penile erection, angiogenesis, wound healing, atherogenesis, inflammation such as arthritis, nephritis, colitis, autoimmune diseases (diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease), invading pathogens, tumors, asthma, tissue transplantation, septic shock, platelet aggregation and blood coagulation, sickle cell disease, gastrointestinal motility, hormone secretion, gene regulation, hemoglobin delivery of oxygen, insulin signaling and diabetes, stem cell proliferation and differentiation, and bronchodilation. One can then begin to appreciate the many consequences of the loss of the production of nitric oxide.

It is the mission of this Society to advance the field of nitric oxide. There have been many discoveries and innovations in the nitric oxide field with regard to diagnostics and therapeutics. Many of these discoveries stem from members of the NO Society. We now have an appreciation for how the body makes NO, what goes wrong in patients or subjects that can’t make NO and through emerging science and research are beginning to understand how to therapeutically fix the underlying problems of NO deficiency. Although NO is widely recognized and appreciated in the scientific and medical community, there is still very little awareness around NO by patients and consumers. We will always keep the information on this website up to date with the latest research and breakthroughs in nitric oxide science.

Areas of Research

Cardiovascular disease

Nitric oxide is the most important molecule produced in our cardiovascular system. In fact, loss of the production of nitric oxide is recognized as one of the earliest events in the onset and progression of cardiovascular disease. From high blood pressure, heart failure, coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke, nitric oxide plays an essential role in combatting all these conditions

Immune Function

When our body is invaded by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi, our immune system responds by producing massive amounts of nitric oxide acutely to kill these pathogens. The production and regulation of nitric oxide by our immune system can help keep us free from any chronic infections

Cancer

Nitric oxide appears to play a dual role in cancer. Low, physiological levels of NO may contribute to cancer cell growth and proliferation, whereas higher concentrations produced for prolonged periods appear to have anti-cancer properties.There is much focus and current research on understanding how NO affects cancer cell growth.

Nervous system

Nitric oxide is a cell signaling molecule and facilitates communication between cells. In the nervous system, nitric oxide is a neurotransmitter involved in long-term memory and cognition. Disruption of nitric oxide plays a role in many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's Disease.

Physical Performance

Your ability to generate nitric oxide may predict how well you perform athletically. Nitric oxide not only controls and regulates blood flow to working skeletal and heart muscles but also controls how efficiently your mitochondria generate cellular energy from oxygen. Exercise intolerance in older individuals is due to these people being unable to effectively produce nitric oxide and regulate blood flow to the body.

The NO Journal

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NITRIC OXIDE SOCIETY

Nitric Oxide

Website

Nitric Oxide is an international journal publishing original research articles, methodological advances, state-of-the-art protocols, and invited reviews focused on the chemistry, redox biology, and signaling of nitric oxide and related small signaling molecules, including hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide. The journal highlights advances in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic production of these molecules, their chemical interactions, the activation and function of second messengers (such as cGMP, cAMP, and non-canonical cyclic nucleotides), and post-translational modifications involved in the regulation of physiological processes and their implications for human health and disease.

We welcome interdisciplinary studies spanning biological chemistry, physiology, pharmacology, enzymology, and pathophysiology, as well as clinical investigations. Submissions elucidating novel mechanisms, translational relevance, and therapeutic potential are particularly encouraged. The journal also supports research in microbial and plant systems that provide mechanistic or comparative insights into small molecule signaling.

In addition to traditional research articles, we actively encourage the submission of negative results, hypothesis papers, and policy or clinical guideline manuscripts that advance the field or promote rigorous, transparent science.

Nitric Oxide is the official journal of the Nitric Oxide Society.

Miriam Cortese-Krott, Editor-in-Chief