دانلود کتاب اکسید نیتریک: از تحقیق تا درمان

Nitric oxide (NO) is a ubiquitous signaling molecule that participates in virtually in every cellular and organ function in the body. NO has a fascinating and colorful scien-tific history, and its evolution from being an environmental pollutant, to a compo-nent of explosives (dynamite), and now a gasotransmitter was an outcome of several interesting observations spanning across three decades. The discovery of NO as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system was such that three distinguished scientists (Robert Furchgott, Louis Ignarro, and Ferid Murad) were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1998 for “NO as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system.” Since the discovery of NO’s role in cell signaling, NO has become one of the most researched molecules in recent history. Nearly 100,000 scientific articles have been published on NO and its diverse physiologic effects, pathophysiological significance, and therapeutic applications. There is now an Inter-national Society for Nitric Oxide to promote research activity relating to NO, which publishes a well-read journal entitled Nitric Oxide. Soon after the identification of NO as a signaling molecule, it was reported that specific nitric oxide synthase (NOS) catalyzes an enzymatic reaction leading to NO formation from the substrates L-arginine and molecular oxygen under highly regulated conditions requiring several cofactors. Subsequently, an alternative NOS-independent pathway of NO synthesis was discovered, based on the simple reduction of nitrate and nitrite, the main oxida-tion products of NO. During this period, interest in the biological role of NO has led to a revolution in pharmacological and physiological research. In addition to its key role in regulating the cardiovascular function, NO has been reported to be involved in the pathological processes of a variety of human diseases, including, metabolic diseases, inflammatory and immunological diseases, cancer, and neuro-logical diseases. Given the importance of NOSs in the pathophysiology of human diseases, these enzymes are considered potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of diverse human pathologies. Originally known for its regulatory role in cardiovas-cular physiology and pathophysiology, the domain of NO and NO signaling pathways have now vastly expanded to involve the central nervous system (synaptic plasticity, cognitive function, epilepsy, stress and anxiety, etc.), metabolic disorders, respi-ratory disease, infections and immunological pathology, critical care, and cancer. The labeling of NO as a gasotransmitter (alongside CO and H2S) has also opened up a completely new dimension in NO biology. Within the family of endogenous gasotransmitters, nitric oxide (NO) is the smallest gaseous intercellular messenger involved in the modulation of several physiological processes, such as blood flow and platelet aggregation control, essential to maintain vascular homeostasis. Further, their overlapping physiological roles/pathophysiological significance and interac-tions have given a new impetus to this field. Different roles of NO are now being advo-cated operating via distinctly varied signaling pathways. The classical GC-cGMP pathway has been reinforced by alternative signaling pathways which are unrelated to it. NO donors like nitrosoglutathione, NO-releasing nutraceuticals, inhaled NO, NO-releasing nanoparticles, etc., are exciting areas of contemporary translational NO research. Thus, NO is considered as an emerging molecular target for developing therapeutic strategies for a variety of disease states not necessarily restricted to the cardiovascular system. Several naturally derived compounds, such as polyphenols, are now proposed as modulators of NO-mediated pathways.

This book entitled Nitric Oxide: From Research to Therapeutics aims to compre-hensively collate some of the most recent information about the role of NO in physiology, pathophysiology, and its translation to potential therapeutics. It is a state-of-the-art publication containing the most recent information on NO as a physiological regulator and its diverse potential as a therapeutic target for the treat-ment of various diseases, which are not necessarily restricted to the cardiovascular system. Specifically, an attempt has been made to include the most recent research developments with NO and its therapeutic implications in a variety of cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, neuropsychiatric, metabolic, and infectious disorders. Its role in pregnancy and fetus-related situations like pre-eclampsia and teratogenesis has also received special attention. A special section of the book deals with the role of NO directed therapeutics for COVID-19, the most dreaded pandemic of the century. Newer drug delivery systems for delivering NO to therapeutic targets are also highlighted in this book.