TY - JOUR

T1 - Nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in limb vascular function

T2 - what is the effect of physical activity?

AU - Gliemann, Lasse

AU - Nyberg, Michael Permin

AU - Hellsten, Ylva

N1 - CURIS 2014 NEXS 001

PY - 2014

Y1 - 2014

N2 - Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) is known to be one of the most important regulatory compounds within the cardiovascular system where it is central for functions such as regulation of blood pressure, blood flow and vascular growth. The bioavailability of NO is determined by a balance between, on one hand, the extent of enzymatic and non-enzymatic formation of NO and on the other hand, removal of NO, which in part is dependent on the reaction of NO with reactive oxygen species (ROS). The presence of ROS is dependent on the extent of ROS formation via mitochondria and/or enzymes such as NAD(P)H oxidase and xanthine oxidase and the degree of ROS removal through the antioxidant defense system. The development of cardiovascular disease has been proposed to be closely related to a reduced bioavailability of NO in parallel with an increased presence of ROS. Excessive levels of ROS not only lower the bioavailability of NO but may also cause cellular damage in the cardiovascular system. Physical activity has been shown to greatly improve cardiovascular function, in part through improved bioavailability of NO, enhanced endogenous antioxidant defense and a lowering of the expression of ROS forming enzymes. Regular physical activity is therefore likely to be a highly useful tool in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Future studies should focus on which form of exercise that may be most optimal for enhancing NO bioavailability and improving cardiovascular health.

AB - Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) is known to be one of the most important regulatory compounds within the cardiovascular system where it is central for functions such as regulation of blood pressure, blood flow and vascular growth. The bioavailability of NO is determined by a balance between, on one hand, the extent of enzymatic and non-enzymatic formation of NO and on the other hand, removal of NO, which in part is dependent on the reaction of NO with reactive oxygen species (ROS). The presence of ROS is dependent on the extent of ROS formation via mitochondria and/or enzymes such as NAD(P)H oxidase and xanthine oxidase and the degree of ROS removal through the antioxidant defense system. The development of cardiovascular disease has been proposed to be closely related to a reduced bioavailability of NO in parallel with an increased presence of ROS. Excessive levels of ROS not only lower the bioavailability of NO but may also cause cellular damage in the cardiovascular system. Physical activity has been shown to greatly improve cardiovascular function, in part through improved bioavailability of NO, enhanced endogenous antioxidant defense and a lowering of the expression of ROS forming enzymes. Regular physical activity is therefore likely to be a highly useful tool in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Future studies should focus on which form of exercise that may be most optimal for enhancing NO bioavailability and improving cardiovascular health.

U2 - 10.3109/10715762.2013.835045

DO - 10.3109/10715762.2013.835045

M3 - Review

C2 - 23962038

VL - 48

SP - 71

EP - 83

JO - Free Radical Research

JF - Free Radical Research

SN - 1071-5762

IS - 1

ER -