Re: no 치료제 탐구... 유기 질산염 organic nitrates.

[문형철]

Molecules

. 2014 Sep 24;19(9):15314–15323. doi: 10.3390/molecules190915314

Organic Nitrates: Past, Present and Future

Maria S França-Silva 1, Camille M Balarini 2, Josiane C Cruz 1, Barkat A Khan 3, Pabulo H Rampelotto 4,*, Valdir A Braga 1,*

• Author information
• Article notes
• Copyright and License information

PMCID: PMC6271939  PMID: 25255247

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the most important vasodilator molecules produced by the endothelium. It has already been established that NO/cGMP signaling pathway deficiencies are involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms of many cardiovascular diseases. In this context, the development of NO-releasing drugs for therapeutic use appears to be an effective alternative to replace the deficient endogenous NO and mimic the role of this molecule in the body. Organic nitrates represent the oldest class of NO donors that have been clinically used. Considering that tolerance can occur when these drugs are applied chronically, the search for new compounds of this class with lower tolerance potential is increasing. Here, we briefly discuss the mechanisms involved in nitrate tolerance and highlight some achievements from our group in the development of new organic nitrates and their preclinical application in cardiovascular disorders.

초록

산화질소(NO)는 

내피에서 생성되는 가장 중요한 혈관 확장제 분자 중 하나입니다. 

많은 심혈관 질환의 병리 생리학적 기전에 

NO/cGMP 신호 전달 경로 결핍이 관여한다는 사실은 이미 밝혀졌습니다. 

이러한 맥락에서 

치료용 NO 방출 약물의 개발은 

결핍된 내인성 NO를 대체하고 

신체에서 이 분자의 역할을 모방하는 효과적인 대안이 될 수 있을 것으로 보입니다. 

유기 질산염은 

임상적으로 사용되어 온 가장 오래된 종류의 NO 공여제입니다. 

이러한 약물을 

만성적으로 사용할 경우 내성이 발생할 수 있다는 점을 고려할 때 

내성 가능성이 낮은 새로운 종류의 화합물에 대한 검색이 증가하고 있습니다. 

여기에서는 질산염 내성과 관련된 메커니즘에 대해 간략히 설명하고 새로운 유기 질산염의 개발과 심혈관 질환에 대한 전임상 적용에 대한 우리 그룹의 몇 가지 성과를 강조합니다.

Keywords: organics nitrates; nitrate tolerance; 1,3-dibutoxy-2-propyl nitrate

1. Introduction

Nitric oxide (NO) is a volatile, multifunctional free radical with a short life span. It is synthesized by one of three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase and exerts its effect by the activation of the soluble glunylate cyclase (sGC), which culminates in the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and the activation of the cGMP-dependent kinase (PKG) [1,2]. It has been described that a reduction in NO bioavailability is involved in the pathophysiology of many cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In this context, the use of drugs capable of releasing NO is an effective approach while dealing with CVD [3].

Organic nitrates represent the oldest class of NO donors applied clinically. Among them, glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) is the main representative of the class, which also includes isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), isosorbide 5-mononitrate (ISMN) and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) [4]. Despite the benefits of thesemolecules in treating CVD like angina pectoris, pulmonary hypertension and heart failure, their continued use may cause tolerance, which is, in fact, the main limitation to the use of organic nitrates [5,6]. Here we briefly discuss the past and the present perspectives in organic nitrates and highlight some preclinical tests performed by our group with a novel organic nitrate.

1. 소개

산화질소(NO)는

수명이 짧은 휘발성 다기능 자유 라디칼입니다.

산화질소 합성효소의 세 가지 동형체 중 하나에 의해 합성되며

수용성 글루닐레이트 시클라제(sGC)의 활성화에 의해 그 효과를 발휘하며,

이는 순환 구아노신 모노포스페이트(cGMP)의 생산과 cGMP 의존 키나제(PKG)의 활성화로 절정에 이릅니다 [1,2].

NO 생체 이용률의 감소는

많은 심혈관 질환(CVD)의 병태 생리에 관여하는 것으로

설명되어 있습니다.

이러한 맥락에서

NO를 방출할 수 있는 약물을 사용하는 것은

CVD를 다루는 동안 효과적인 접근 방식입니다 [3].

유기 질산염은

임상적으로 적용되는 가장 오래된 종류의 NO 공여제입니다.

그 중 글리세릴 트리니트레이트(GTN)가

이 클래스의 주요 대표주자로 이소소르바이드 디니트레이트(ISDN),

이소소르바이드 5-모노니트레이트(ISMN) 및 펜타에리스리톨 테트라니트레이트(PETN)도 포함합니다[4].

협심증, 폐 고혈압 및 심부전과 같은 CVD 치료에서

이러한 분자의 이점에도 불구하고

계속 사용하면 내성이 발생할 수 있으며,

이는 실제로 유기 질산염 사용의 주요 제한 사항입니다 [5,6].

여기에서는

유기 질산염의 과거와 현재의 관점에 대해 간략하게 논의하고

새로운 유기 질산염으로 우리 그룹이 수행한 몇 가지 전임상 시험을 강조합니다.

2. Historical Perspective: The Past

Glyceryl trinitrate, the first organic nitrate, was discovered in 1847 by Ascanio Sobrero. At that time, it was already described that headacheswere an unpleasant side effect of thissubstance [7]. In 1879, the English physician William Murrel described, for the first time, the beneficial effects of the GTN against angina pectoris [8]. Since then, GTN was established as a treatment for the relief of chest pain, although the exact mechanism of action of this compound remained obscure for about 100 years [9]. Murad and colleagues described, in 1977, that nitrates needed to release NO to present physiological effects [10]. Nitric oxide was only described as an endothelium-derived relaxing factor in middle 80s [11].

After to the introduction of GTN as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of angina pectoris, other nitro compounds with similar chemical properties have been developed. Most recent studies show that, in addition to angina, GTN and other organic nitrates such as ISDN and ISMN are able to improve left ventricular function in patients with congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. Also, they show favorable effects on left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction and silent ischemia, in addition to reducing blood pressure alone or in combination with other drugs [12,13].

2. 역사적 관점: 과거

최초의 유기 질산염 인 글리세릴 트리니트 레이트는 1847 년 Ascanio Sobrero에 의해 발견되었습니다. 그 당시에는 이미 두통이이 물질의 불쾌한 부작용이었다고 설명되었습니다 [7]. 1879 년 영국 의사 William Murrel은 처음으로 협심증에 대한 GTN의 유익한 효과를 설명했습니다 [8]. 그 이후로 GTN은 흉통 완화를위한 치료제로 확립되었지만이 화합물의 정확한 작용 메커니즘은 약 100 년 동안 모호한 상태로 남아있었습니다 [9]. Murad와 동료들은 1977년 질산염이 생리적 효과를 나타내려면 NO를 방출해야 한다고 설명했습니다[10]. 산화질소는 80년대 중반에야 내피에서 유래한 이완 인자로 설명되었습니다 [11].

협심증 치료를 위한 치료제로 GTN이 도입된 이후 유사한 화학적 특성을 가진 다른 니트로 화합물이 개발되었습니다. 가장 최근의 연구에 따르면 협심증 외에도 GTN 및 ISDN 및 ISMN과 같은 기타 유기 질산염은 울혈 성 심부전 및 폐 고혈압 환자에서 좌심실 기능을 개선 할 수 있습니다. 또한 심근 경색 및 조용한 허혈 후 좌심실 리모델링에 유리한 효과를 보이며 혈압을 단독으로 또는 다른 약물과 병용하여 감소시키는 것 외에도 [12,13].

3. Mechanism of Action

Organicnitrates are potential NO donors in biological systems. In general, they do not exert their effect in cell-free systems and act as pro-drugs that need to be bioactivated by either enzymatic or non-enzymatic pathways to release NO. Enzymatic bioactivation of high-potency nitrates like GTN and PETN (tri- and tetranitrates, respectively) depends on the activity of cytosolic and/or mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2), which converts them into nitrite and the denitrated metabolite. Non-enzymatic bioactivation of GTN involves its reaction with thiols from cysteine and cysteine derivatives or with ascorbate, which promote NO release. In contrast, low-potency nitrates such asISMN and ISDN (mono and dinitrates, respectively) undergo activation through a mechanism independent of ALDH2, which usually it occurs in endoplasmic reticulum via P450 enzymes [13,14,15].

Nitric oxide binds to soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), leading to an increase in the intracellular concentration of cGMP, which in turn activates a specific cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). Once PKG is active, it promotes the phosphorylation of diverse substrates like myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA), plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. All these events result in vasorelaxation and reduction in peripheral vascular resistance [16,17,18,19]. Several authors have presented evidence that the vascular relaxation mediated by NO can occur also by a mechanism independent of cGMP, due to direct activation of K+ channels [20].

3. 작용 메커니즘

유기질산염은

생물학적 시스템에서 잠재적인 NO 공여체입니다.

일반적으로

세포가 없는 시스템에서는 그 효과를 발휘하지 않으며,

NO를 방출하기 위해 효소 또는 비효소 경로에 의해 생체 활성화되어야 하는 프로 약물로 작용합니다.

GTN 및 PETN(각각 삼질산염 및 사질산염)과 같은 고효능 질산염의 효소적 생체 활성화는

아질산염과 탈질화된 대사산물로 전환하는

세포질 및/또는 미토콘드리아 알데히드 탈수소효소(ALDH2)의 활성에 따라 달라집니다.

GTN의 비효소적 생체 활성화는

시스테인 및 시스테인 유도체의 티올 또는 아스코르브산염과 반응하여

NO 방출을 촉진하는 것입니다.

대조적으로,

저효능 질산염인ISMN 및 ISDN(각각 모노 및 디니트레이트)은

ALDH2와 독립적인 메커니즘을 통해 활성화되며, 일

반적으로 P450 효소를 통해 소포체에서 발생합니다[13,14,15].

산화질소는

가용성 구아닐레이트 시클라제(sGC)에 결합하여

cGMP의 세포 내 농도를 증가시키고,

이는 다시 특정 cGMP 의존성 단백질 키나아제(PKG)를 활성화합니다.

PKG가 활성화되면

미오신 경쇄 키나아제(MLCK),

소포체 Ca2+-ATPase(SERCA),

혈장막 Ca2+-ATPase 및 Na+/Ca2+ 교환기와 같은

다양한 기질의 인산화를 촉진합니다.

이러한 모든 사건은

혈관 이완과 말초 혈관 저항의 감소를 초래합니다 [16,17,18,19].

몇몇 저자들은

NO에 의해 매개되는 혈관 이완이 K+ 채널의 직접적인 활성화로 인해

cGMP와 독립적인 메커니즘에 의해서도 발생할 수 있다는 증거를 제시했습니다 [20].

4. Clinical Use of Organic Nitrates: The Present

4.1. Angina Pectoris

Angina can be defined as a chest pain or discomfort, usually attributed to myocardial ischemia. It is commonly associated with coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis, although it can also be related to cardiomyopathy or aortic stenosis. The severity of the discomfort does not necessarily relate to the severity of the underling coronary disease [21]. Angina is considered stable when it shows a regular pattern, being elicited by exertion or emotional stress and the pain is relieved by a few minutes of rest or after the use of nitrates.

Nitrates are the leading therapeutic class of drugs to treat angina pectoris [22]. They have been used even before the cardiovascular properties of NO have been established [7]. Organic nitrates exert their maximal vasodilator effects on venous capacitance vessels and large and medium coronary arteries, while small arterioles are less affected. The venodilation induced by these drugs increase the venous capacitance and reduce cardiac preload, which reduces left ventricular filling pressure and myocardium workload. The oxygen demand tomyocardium decreases and this is the key mechanism involved in the use of this class of drugs in angina [15]. At high doses, nitrates exert arterial vasodilator effects, leading to dilation in epicardial arteries. This promotes a redistribution of coronary blood flow from healthy regions to ischemic areas [23].

Short acting nitrates should be administrated to patients during acute angina pectoris symptoms or immediately before physical exercise to prevent angina. On the other hand, long lasting nitrates are recommended for the treatment of patients who remain symptomatic despite the use of aspirin, statins, beta receptor blockers or calcium antagonists [15].

4.2. Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a serious multisystem disorder characterized by new onset of hypertension, edema and proteinuria, typically after 20 weeks of pregnancy in otherwise normotensive woman. Although the cause of preeclampsia onset is not yet fully understood, endothelial dysfunction, defective NO synthesis, reduced NO bioavailability and reduced NO-mediated vasodilation play an important role in the pathophysiology of this condition [24,25,26]. Preeclampsia is associated with a substantive increase in morbidity and mortality for the mother and the baby and its complications usually include eclampsia, stroke, liver or kidney failure in the mother and poor growth and preterm birth for the baby [27].

Considering that disruption of NO/cGMP pathway is present in preeclampsia, the use of NO donors can be considered a potential pharmacological approach in this situation. In this context, organic nitrates have been used as a promising alternative to treat preeclampsia and without significant adverse cardiovascular effects. The disadvantage of these drugs relies in the possible tolerance development [25] and the efficiency of these drugs in preventing preeclampsia is controversial. Some studies show that they failed in prevent the establishment of preeclampsia, although other beneficial effects were observed, as the likehood of a complication-free pregnancy, decrease in resistance of blood flow to the placenta and improvement of uteroplacental blood flow [24,26].

The main adverse effect observed in the use of nitrates, especially GTN, is the increased risk of headache, which was sufficient severe to lead to the interruption of the treatment in some cases [27]. The successful use of GTN as a transdermal patch opens new therapeutic perspectives, once this approach has few side effects [26].

4.3. Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is defined as an increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (>25 mmHg) at rest [28]. Pulmonary hypertension is a severe and progressive disorder in which the pressure in the pulmonary arteries is increased due to sustained increase in pulmonary arterial resistance. It also culminates in progressive right ventricular dysfunction and death [7,29]. Although drugs aiming to increase vasodilation in pulmonary arteries have been used to treat pulmonary hypertension (for instance prostacyclin, endothelin receptor antagonists, phospodiesterase type 5 inhibitors) [29], organic nitrates have only been proposed as promising alternatives in experimental studies.

In this context, it has already been shown that organic nitrates are capable not only to exert direct vasodilator effects but also to inhibit the synthesis of pulmonary vasoconstrictors such as endothelin 1 and platelet-derived growth factor [30]. Brandler and colleagues successfully used a novel inhaled volatile organic nitrate in an experimental model [31]. They observed that the new compound was effective in promoting the relaxation of constricted pulmonary arteries and in alleviation of pulmonary hypertension. Further studies are necessary to establish the optimal dosing and long-term effects, however, this molecule holds the potential to be an alternative to inhaled NO, which presents toxicity issues and potential drawbacks [31].

5. New Perspectives: The Future

Nitrate tolerance is characterized by a reduction in the vasodilator effect of NO donors and the requirement of higher doses. Experimental approaches revealed that organic nitrates such as GTN, ISMN and ISDN induce tolerance. This phenomenon is not yet completely understood and may have several causes such as impaired bioactivation of the drug, desensitization of sGC/cGMP pathway and increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), which inactivate both endogenous NO and NO released from nitrovasodilators. Furthermore, the process of tolerance is associated with the appearance of unfavorable cardiovascular changes such as increase in sympathetic activity and endothelial dysfunction. Apparently, the only organic nitrate in clinical used which does not induce tolerance or endothelial dysfunction is PETN. In fact, the antioxidant properties of this drug may be responsible, at least in part, for this advantageous characteristic [13,32,33,34].

Considering that tolerance is the major limiting factor to clinical use of this class of drugs and that there is only one organic nitrate clinically available that does not induce tolerance, the search of new compounds unable to induce this undesirable effect has been increasing. Our group has recently eval‎uated new organic nitrates obtained from glycerin, which molecular structures can be observed in Figure 1.

Figure 1.

Open in a new tab

Structural formula of the new organic nitrates obtained from glycerin [35].

Our first goal was to eval‎uate if these molecules could induce vascular relaxation, the main effect of organic nitrates. For this purpose, we performed concentration-response curves of the new NO donors in resistance rings of superior mesenteric artery from rats. We observed that all four compounds were able to induce vasorelaxation in a dose-dependent manner both in the presence or absence of functional endothelium, as shown in Table 1 and Figure 2.

Table 1.

Maximum effect (ME) and sensibility (pD2) values regarding the vasorelaxant effect of the new organic nitrates derived from glycerin in superior mesenteric artery isolated from rats precontracted with phenyleprine, in the presence or absence of functional endothelium (n = 6 for each group) [35].

CompoundIntact EndotheliumDenuded Endothelium(%) ME ± SEMpD2 ± SEM(%) ME ± SEMpD2 ± SEM

NDMP	88.5 ± 11.2	4.7 ± 0.13	93.8 ± 11.7	4.4 ± 0.07
NDEP	94.1 ± 6.7	4.6 ± 0.08	108.8 ± 5.4	4.8 ± 0.06
NDPP	96.4 ± 8.3	5.5 ± 0.10	111.1 ± 8.5	5.4 ± 0.08
NDBP	89.5 ± 3.4	5.8 ± 0.10	105.4 ± 2.7	5.9 ± 0.06

Open in a new tab

Figure 2.

Open in a new tab

Concentration-response curves to new organic nitrates synthetized by our group (10−8–10−4 M or 3 × 10−4 M) in rat mesenteric artery rings (n = 6 per group). The vasorelaxant effect is expressed as a percentage of relaxation of phenylephrine-induced contraction [35].

Apparently, the vasodilator response tended to increase as the length of the organic chain added to glycerin increased. Because of that, we have focused our work on 1,3-dibutoxy-2-propyl nitrate (NDBP), which has a molecular formula of C11H23NO5 and a molecular weight of 249.3. Scheme 1 shows the steps of NDBP synthesis.

Scheme 1.

Open in a new tab

Synthesis of 1,3-dibutoxy-2-propyl nitrate [36].

Using an in vitro pharmacological approach based on simultaneously use of NDBP and blockage of diverse steps of NO/sGC/cGMP pathway, we identified that vasorelaxation induced by NDBP is dependent of NO release, activation of sGC, generation of cGMP and activation of potassium channels [34], which is in accordance to what is expected from a NO-releasing drug. It was observed that NDBP is capable of increasing NO bioavailability in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells like other NO donors, such as GTN (Figure 3).

Figure 3.

Open in a new tab

Nitric oxide generation by NDPB in vascular smooth muscle cells. * p < 0.05 versus basal fluorescence; # versus NDBP (10−6 M) and NDBP (3 × 10−5 M). Values are shown as mean ± S.E.M.

Considering that NDBP could be an alternative option to existing organic nitrates, our second goal was to analyze the effects of NDPB in vivo. Preclinical trials using five different doses of NDBP showed that the new compound presented hypotensive and bradicardic effects in a dose-dependent manner in normotensive and hypertensive non-anesthetized rats.These effects are of interest in a potential new NO donor, once the classical drugs of this class like GTN and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) can cause reflex tachycardia as a side effect. Parasympathetic blockage with atropine or vagotomy suggests that the reduction in blood pressure observed after NDPB administration depends not only to peripheral vasodilation but also to reduction in cardiac output due to increase in parasympathetic tone to the heart [36]. Further studies revealed that cardiovascular responses evoked by NDBP in vivo are dependent of NO release.When a NO-scavenger was used, both bradycardia and hypotension were attenuated [37].

Tolerance is one of the most important undesirable effects evoked by organic nitrates and is responsible for limiting the clinical use of this class of drugs. Thus, our third goal was to eval‎uate the ability of NDBP to induce tolerance, as previously described [35,38]. Preclinical in vitro approaches revealed that exposition of mesenteric artery rings to NDBP (10 µM or 100 µM) for 30 min prior to concentration-responses curves to this substance did not alter the vasorelaxant response, suggesting that NDBP did not induced tolerance [35].

Studies by our research group showed that intravenous treatment with NDBP (5 mg/kg) for three days did not affect vascular reactivity of superior mesenteric artery isolated from normotensive rats to cumulative addition of acetylcholine or SNP (unpublished data), suggesting that continuous exposure to NDBP, at least in the experimental conditions used, does not cause endothelial dysfunction or desensibilization of vascular smooth muscle to NO. From this data we can infer that treatment with NDBP for three days does not induce tolerance in the vascular preparation used, although more studies are needed to elucidate this phenomenon. One possible mechanism is that NDBP, like PETN, presents antioxidant properties.

6. Conclusions

Since deficiency in NO/sGC/cGMP pathway is involved in many pathological features of cardiovascular system, the use of NO-releasing drugs can figure as an option to treat these conditions. Nitric oxide donors are widely applied in clinical practice despite their undesirable effects, like tolerance. Recently, our group has developed a new organic nitrate with potential to be used clinically in cardiovascular disorders. Preclinical studies confirmed NDBP ability to release NO, leading to vasodilation. Besides, NDBP appears to also act in central nervous system to increase parasympathetic drive to the heart, culminating in reduced blood pressure. This new organic nitrate does not seem to induce tolerance neither endothelial dysfunction in vitro, suggesting that this molecule can figure as a new potential therapeutic approach for cardiovascular disorders. Further studies in vivo are required to investigate the effect of continuous treatment with NDBP on vascular oxidative stress in normotensive and hypertensive conditions and the ability of the compound to prevent pseudotolerance, other common effect of organic nitrates.

Author Contributions

Maria França-Silva worked in preparing the entire manuscript and conducting experimental trials cited in the text. Camille Balarini and Josiane Cruz helped in writing about clinical use of nitrates. Barkat Khan and Pabulo Rampelotto helped in the writing of the initial topics of this review. Valdir Braga supervised the writing of the article and execution of experimental tests with the new organic nitrates.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

• 1.Moncada S., Higgs A. Mechanisms of disease: The L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway. N. Engl. J. Med. 1993;329:2002–2012. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199312303292706. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 2.Rudolph V., Freeman B.A. Cardiovascular consequences when nitric oxide and lipid signaling converge. Circ. Res. 2009;105:511–522. doi: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.109.202077. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 3.Pörsti I., Paakkari I. Nitric oxide-based possibilities for pharmacotherapy. Ann. Med. 1995;27:407–420. doi: 10.3109/07853899509002594. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 4.Wang P.G., Xian M., Tang X., Wu X., Wen Z., Cai T., Janczuk A.J. Nitric oxide donors: Chemical activities and biological applications. Chem. Rev. 2002;102:1091–1134. doi: 10.1021/cr000040l. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 5.Miller M.R., Wadsworth R.M. Understanding organic nitrates—A vein hope? Br. J. Pharmacol. 2009;157:565–567. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00193.x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 6.Münzel T., Daiber A., Mülsch A. Explaining the phenomenon of nitrate tolerance. Circ. Res. 2005;97:618–628. doi: 10.1161/01.RES.0000184694.03262.6d. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 7.Follmann M., Griebenow N., Hahn M.G., Hartung I., Mais F.J., Mittendorf J., Schäfer M., Schirok H., Stasch JP., Stoll F., et al. The chemistry and biology of soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators and activators. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 2013;52:9442–9462. doi: 10.1002/anie.201302588. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 8.Murrel W. Nitroglycerine as a remedy for angina pectoris. Lancet. 1879;1:80–81. [Google Scholar]
• 9.Marsh N., Marsh A. A short history of nitroglycerine and nitric oxide in pharmacology and physiology. Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. 2000;27:313–319. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1681.2000.03240.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 10.Arnold W.P., Mittal C.K., Katsuki S., Murad F. Nitric oxide activates guanylate cyclase and increases guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate levels in various tissue preparations. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 1977;74:3203–3207. doi: 10.1073/pnas.74.8.3203. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 11.Furchgott R.F. Endothelium-derived relaxing factor: discovery, early studies, and identification as nitric oxide. Biosci. Rep. 1999;19:235–251. doi: 10.1023/a:1020537506008. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 12.Bode-Böger S.M., Kojda G. Organic nitrates in cardiovascular disease. Cell. Mol. Biol. 2005;51:307–320. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 13.Münzel T., Daiber A., Gori T. Nitrate therapy: New aspects concerning molecular action and tolerance. Circulation. 2011;123:2132–2144. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.110.981407. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 14.Mayer B., Beretta M. The enigma of nitroglycerin bioactivation and nitrate tolerance: News, views and troubles. Br. J. Pharmacol. 2008;155:170–184. doi: 10.1038/bjp.2008.263. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 15.Münzel T., Gori T. Nitrate therapy and nitrate tolerance in patients with coronary artery disease. Curr. Opin. Pharmacol. 2013;13:251–259. doi: 10.1016/j.coph.2012.12.008. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 16.Furchgott R.F. Role of endothelium in responses of vascular smooth muscle. Circ. Res. 1983;53:557–573. doi: 10.1161/01.res.53.5.557. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 17.Hilgers R.H., Webb R.C. Molecular aspects of arterial smooth muscle contraction: Focuson Rho. Exp. Biol. Med. 2005;230:829–835. doi: 10.1177/153537020523001107. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 18.Irvine J.C., Favaloro J.L., Kemp-Harper B.K. NO- activates soluble guanylate cyclase and Kv channels to vasodilate resistance arteries. Hypertension. 2003;41:1301–1307. doi: 10.1161/01.HYP.0000072010.54901.DE. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 19.Vanhoutte P.M., Boulanger C.M. Function of the endothelium in arterial hypertension. Rev. Prat. 1995;45:2513–2518. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
• 20.Bolotina V.M., Najibi S., Palacino J.J., Pa