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. 2009 Feb 3;21(7):473–476. doi: 10.1002/clc.4960210705

Inducible nitric oxide synthase and atherosclerosis

Ulchi Ikeda 1,✉, Yoshikazu Maeda 1, Kazuyuki Shimada 1
PMCID: PMC6655488  PMID: 9669055

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) synthase induction in vascular smooth muscle cells may play a role in local vascular injury associated with atherosclerosis or postangioplasty restenosis by inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation and contraction, as well as by preventing leukocyte and platelet adhesion. The expression of inducible NO synthase is increased in balloon‐injured arteries of experimental animals or in human atherosclerotic lesions. Replacement therapy with NO donors or NO synthase gene transfer may improve the clinical course of atherosclerosis or restenosis.

Keywords: nitric oxide, vascular smooth muscle, atherosclerosis, restenosis, gene transfer

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