Nitric Oxide in Health and Disease

Nitric oxide has a tantalising role in health and disease: whilst many of its wide-ranging effects are well known, there remains much more to explore and to learn about the interactions of this fascinating molecule in physiological and pathophysiological processes. The volume reviews the myriad of effects of nitric oxide: as a chemical messenger in the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, immune system and cardiovascular system. Furthermore, it provides a very practical introduction to the procedures and experimental protocols necessary to work with and study nitric oxide and its synthesing enzyme, nitric oxide synthase, in the laboratory. In this respect the volume is unique, providing as it does a complete single-volume review of the role of nitric oxide in health and disease, and a very practical introduction to the methods and protocols involved in this intriguing and active area of biomedical research.

Spis treści:
Part I. Basic Principles and Recent Advances
1. Nitric oxide, introduction and historical background
2. Synthesis and properties of nitric oxide
3. Endothelium-derived nitric oxide
4. Nitric oxide in the central nervous system
5. Nitric oxide in the peripheral nervous system
6. Nitric oxide in the immune system
Part II. Pathological Implications of Nitric Oxide, Introduction
7. Type II NOS and immune inflammatory disorders
8. Type III NOS and cardiovascular disease
9. Type I NOS and disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems
Summary
Part III. Experimental Approaches
10. Biochemistry and molecular biology
11. Pharmacology
12. Microscopy
Part IV. Protocols and Techniques
13. Measurement of nitric oxide
14. Measurement of nitric oxide synthase activity
15. Pharmacology
16. Microscopy
Appendix I. Distribution of constitutive nitrogen oxide synthase in animal organs/tissues
Appendix II. Peripheral tissues and organs in which nitric oxide has been identified as a neurotransmitter
References.