Nitric oxide signaling in ischemic heart

Abstract

The results suggest for the first time that NO plays a significant role in transmembrane signaling in the ischemic myocardium. The signaling seems to be transmitted via cGMP and opposes the effects of phosphodiesterases by inhibiting the ischemia/reperfusion-induced phosphodiesteratic breakdown. This signaling effect appears to be reduced as reperfusion progresses. These results, when viewed in the light of free radical chemistry of NO, suggest that such on- and off-signaling of NO may be linked to its interaction with the superoxide radical generated during the reperfusion of ischemic myocardium.