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THE PHARMA REVIEW
(JAN 2010) |
Pharmacologically Important
Gases
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Naik P.P., Somani R.R,
Shirodkar P.Y., Pal T., Kadam V.J. |
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Abstract: The past two decades have seen
an upsurge in interest in the biology of naturally
occurring gases, starting with nitric oxide and
extending through to carbon monoxide. Nitric oxide has
found its worth in the regulatory role of almost all
tissues. It has been significant in protecting mesangial
cells, as a potent bronchodilator as well as in
relieving angina. Similarly carbon monoxide stimulates
the synthesis of the anti-inflammatory cytokine
interleukin-10. The latest addition to the list of
biologically pertinent gases is hydrogen sulfide. In the
past few years, hydrogen sulfide has transited rapidly
from environmental pollutant to biologically relevant
mediator with potential roles in several physiological
processes and disease states. Hydrogen sulphide has been
explored for its vasorelaxation action. Thus, these
inorganic gases are being considered extensively as
gasotransmitters used in molecular and cellular
signaling studies. The article gives an insight to the
synthesis and the physiological roles of these relevant
gases.
Introduction: It was a great surprise for
scientific community when the endothelium derived
relaxing factor (EDRF) was identified as nitric oxide
(NO), a simple inorganic molecule, because all hormones,
mediators and neurotransmitters known before were
organic compounds. Now there is no doubt that NO plays
important regulatory roles in almost all tissues. Soon
there after, the second inorganic gaseous compound,
carbon monoxide (CO) was recognized as an endogenously
produced mediator and neurotransmitter. NO and CO share
at least one common mechanism of action, i.e. they
stimulate soluble guanylate cyclase and increase
intracellular cGMP concentration, although CO is a much
weaker activator than NO.1 Recent studies indicate that
another “toxic gas”, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), is also
produced in substantial amounts by mammalian tissues and
exerts many physiological effects suggesting its
potential role as a regulatory mediator.
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