Nitric oxide in health and disease: our experience

Nitric oxide has been implicated in health and various disorders including cardiovascular diseases and infections. NO is a free radical agent with wide biological functions. It is produced by a group of enzymes called nitric oxide synthase (NOS). NOS catalyses the production of NO from arginine. There are three isoforms of NOS: neuronal NOS (nNOS), endothelial NOS (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS). First two are constitutional while iNOS is induced during any inflammation or infection. Inducible NOS is a calcium independent enzyme responsible for producing high output and long-lasting release of NO, exceeding the NO production levels of nNOS and eNOS isoforms.