Nitric Oxide

Last Updated: August 17 2022

Nitric oxide (NO) is composed of nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O). The human body creates NO from dietary arginine and nitrate. NO plays a major signaling role in vascular relaxation, and elevated levels are associated with better blood flow and lower blood pressure.

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Overview

The human body converts nitrate to nitric oxide (NO), which is a signaling molecule associated with several physiological functions involving blood pressure regulation, cardiovascular health, mitochondria production, calcium transport, oxidative stress, and skeletal muscle repair.[1] It plays a prominent role as a vasodilator, which means it relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow.

Nitrate supplementation, whether in its pure form (e.g. sodium/potassium nitrate), or via foods (e.g. beetroot juice/powder), may temporarily reduce the body’s oxygen demand during exercise. A decrease in oxygen demand may result in improved exercise and muscular performance.[2][3]

Examine Database: Nitric Oxide

Arginine

Cocoa Extract

Tart Cherry Juice

Ginkgo Biloba

Blueberry

Citrulline

L-Carnitine

Grape Juice

Curcumin

Hesperidin

Punicalagins

Pycnogenol

Astaxanthin

DHEA

Fish Oil

Garlic

Rooibos

Schisandra

Betaine

Coenzyme Q10

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References
1.^Feil R, Kleppisch TNO/cGMP-dependent modulation of synaptic transmissionHandb Exp Pharmacol.(2008)
2.^Thompson WJ, Terasaki WL, Epstein PM, Strada SJAssay of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and resolution of multiple molecular forms of the enzymeAdv Cyclic Nucleotide Res.(1979)
3.^Beavo JA, Hansen RS, Harrison SA, Hurwitz RL, Martins TJ, Mumby MCIdentification and properties of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterasesMol Cell Endocrinol.(1982 Nov-Dec)
5.^Pacher P, Beckman JS, Liaudet LNitric oxide and peroxynitrite in health and diseasePhysiol Rev.(2007 Jan)
7.^Groves JTPeroxynitrite: reactive, invasive and enigmaticCurr Opin Chem Biol.(1999 Apr)
9.^Szabó CMultiple pathways of peroxynitrite cytotoxicityToxicol Lett.(2003 Apr 11)
12.^Hakim TS, Sugimori K, Camporesi EM, Anderson GHalf-life of nitric oxide in aqueous solutions with and without haemoglobinPhysiol Meas.(1996 Nov)
14.^Bodini A, Pijnenburg MW, Boner AL, de Jongste JCExhaled nitric oxide in mylar balloons: influence of storage time, humidity and temperatureMediators Inflamm.(2003 Feb)
17.^Brenman JE, Chao DS, Gee SH, McGee AW, Craven SE, Santillano DR, Wu Z, Huang F, Xia H, Peters MF, Froehner SC, Bredt DSInteraction of nitric oxide synthase with the postsynaptic density protein PSD-95 and alpha1-syntrophin mediated by PDZ domainsCell.(1996 Mar 8)
18.^Tochio H, Mok YK, Zhang Q, Kan HM, Bredt DS, Zhang MFormation of nNOS/PSD-95 PDZ dimer requires a preformed beta-finger structure from the nNOS PDZ domainJ Mol Biol.(2000 Oct 27)
19.^Doucet MV, Levine H, Dev KK, Harkin ASmall-Molecule Inhibitors at the PSD-95/nNOS Interface have Antidepressant-Like Properties in MiceNeuropsychopharmacology.(2013 Feb 27)
20.^Guix FX, Uribesalgo I, Coma M, Muñoz FJThe physiology and pathophysiology of nitric oxide in the brainProg Neurobiol.(2005 Jun)
21.^Naghavi N, de Mel A, Alavijeh OS, Cousins BG, Seifalian AMNitric Oxide Donors for Cardiovascular Implant ApplicationsSmall.(2012 Nov 8)
22.^Beigi F, Gonzalez DR, Minhas KM, Sun QA, Foster MW, Khan SA, Treuer AV, Dulce RA, Harrison RW, Saraiva RM, Premer C, Schulman IH, Stamler JS, Hare JMDynamic denitrosylation via S-nitrosoglutathione reductase regulates cardiovascular functionProc Natl Acad Sci U S A.(2012 Mar 13)