Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO), a simple free radical gas, elicits a diverse range of physiological and pathophysiological effects, and plays an important role in pulmonary diseases. Nitrosative stress and nitration of proteins in airway epithelium maybe responsible for steroid resistance in asthma and their ineffectiveness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), supporting the potential role of future therapeutic strategies aimed at regulating NO synthesis in asthma and COPD. Here, we have reviewed the potential role of NO modulators (NO synthase inhibitors and NO donors), which if given on a regular basis may have clinical benefit in asthma and COPD.
MeSH terms
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
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Animals
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Anti-Asthmatic Agents / therapeutic use*
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Asthma / metabolism*
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Asthma / pathology
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Asthma / therapy*
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Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
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Humans
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Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
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Nitric Oxide Donors / therapeutic use
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Nitric Oxide Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors
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Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism
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Pneumonia / metabolism*
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Pneumonia / pathology*
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Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / metabolism*
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Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / pathology
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Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / therapy*
Substances
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones
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Anti-Asthmatic Agents
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Enzyme Inhibitors
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Nitric Oxide Donors
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Nitric Oxide
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Nitric Oxide Synthase