The Pivotal Role of Nitric Oxide: Effects on the Nervous and Immune Systems

Title:The Pivotal Role of Nitric Oxide: Effects on the Nervous and Immune Systems

Volume: 20 Issue: 29

Author(s): Celia Banuls, Milagros Rocha, Susana Rovira-Llopis, Rosa Falcon, Raquel Castello, Jose R. Herance, Miriam Polo, Ana Blas-Garcia, Antonio Hernandez-Mijares and Victor M. Victor

Affiliation:

Keywords: Nitric oxide, Mitochondria, Immune system, Leukocyte, Nervous system.

Abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) has an important role in physiological and pathological processes in general, and in particular plays a homeostatic role in the nervous and immune systems. The many different physiological functions of NO include those of a mediator of blood vessel dilation, neurotransmitter, neuromodulator and inductor of mitochondrial biogenesis. In addition, NO can transform into highly reactive and harmful molecules producing an impairment of the DNA, lipids or proteins, and thus altering their function. This dual action of NO, by which it plays an important role in homeostasis and aids the development of pathological processes, makes this molecule an interesting target for medical therapies, especially with respect to the nervous and immune systems. This review describes the multiple roles of NO played out in the nervous and immune systems during different physiological and pathophysiological processes.

Cite this article as:

Banuls Celia, Rocha Milagros, Rovira-Llopis Susana, Falcon Rosa, Castello Raquel, Herance R. Jose, Polo Miriam, Blas-Garcia Ana, Hernandez-Mijares Antonio and Victor M. Victor, The Pivotal Role of Nitric Oxide: Effects on the Nervous and Immune Systems, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2014; 20 (29) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612820666140130213510