1998 Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded jointly to Robert F Furchgott, Louis J Ignarro and Ferid Murad for their discoveries concerning "nitric oxide as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system".

Further research results rapidly confirmed that NO is a signal molecule of key importance for the cardiovascular system. We know today that NO acts as a signal molecule in the nervous system, as a weapon against infections, as a regulator of blood pressure and as a gate keeper of blood flow to different organs.

• When NO is produced by the innermost cell layer of the arteries, the endothelium, it rapidly spreads through the cell membranes to the underlying muscle cells. Their contraction is turned off by NO, resulting in a dilatation of the arteries. In this way, NO controls the blood pressure and its distribution. It also prevents the formation of thrombi.
• When NO is formed in nerve cells, it spreads rapidly in all directions, activating all cells in the vicinity. This can modulate many functions, from behaviour to gastrointestinal motility.
• When NO is produced in white blood cells (such as macrophages), huge quantities are achieved and become toxic to invading bacteria and parasites.

• Heart: In atherosclerosis, the endothelium has a reduced capacity to produce NO. However, NO can be furnished by treatment with nitroglycerin. Large efforts in drug discovery are currently aimed at generating more powerful and selective cardiac drugs based on the new knowledge of NO as a signal molecule.
• Shock: Bacterial infections can lead to sepsis and circulatory shock. In this situation, NO plays a harmful role. White blood cells react to bacterial products by releasing enormous amounts of NO that dilate the blood vessels. The blood pressure drops and the patient may become unconscious. In this situation, inhibitors of NO synthesis may be useful in intensive care treatment.
• Lungs: Intensive care patients can be treated by inhalation of NO gas. This has provided good results and even saved lives. For instance, NO gas has been used to reduce dangerously high blood pressure in the lungs of infants. But the dosage is critical since the gas can be toxic at high concentrations.
• Cancer: White blood cells use NO not only to kill infectious agents such as bacteria, fungi and parasites, but also to defend the host against tumors. Scientists are currently testing whether NO can be used to stop the growth of tumors since this gas can induce programmed cell death, apoptosis.
• Impotence: NO can initiate erection of the penis by dilating the blood vessels to the erectile bodies.
• Diagnostic analyses: Inflammatory diseases can be revealed by analysing the production of NO from e.g. lungs and intestines. This is used for diagnosing asthma, colitis, and other diseases.
• NO is important for the olfactory sense and our capacity to recognize different scents. It may even be important for our memory.

This Amino Acid is required in the body to synthesize nitric oxide. Nitric oxide enables the arterial system to retain its youthful elasticity, which may alleviate hypertension in some people.  Nitric oxide helps to produce endothelial relaxation factor, which is needed by the arterial system for expansion and contraction with each heart beat. The inability of arteries to expand and contract in the penis and is a major cause of impotence. Take L-Arginine 700mg 4-6 Capsules daily.

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