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Cardiovascular Research 1999 43(3):639-649; doi:10.1016/S0008-6363(99)00085-1
© 1999 by European Society of Cardiology
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Copyright © 1999, European Society of Cardiology

Role of nitric oxide in the neural control of cardiovascular function

Johannes Zanzinger*

I. Physiologisches Institut, Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

* Present address: Animal Health Discovery Department, Pfizer Central Research, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9NJ, UK. Tel.: +44-1304-646697; fax: +44-1304-656595 zanzingerj{at}aol.com

The discovery in 1990 that nitric oxide (NO) acts as a neuromodulator within the central and peripheral nervous system triggered intensive research which considerably extended our understanding how this factor regulates cardiovascular functions. In addition to its direct effects on blood vessels NO has additional targets at all levels of the neural control of circulation. When not scavenged by hemoglobin, NO is relatively stable and diffuses over large distances (>500 µm) so that one NO-producing cell can influence several thousends of adjacent cells in vivo. In different brain regions, NO and its metabolites have excitatory as well as inhibitory effects. The modulation of autonomic functions by these factors is therefore highly complex and often variable between the different levels from the brain to postganglionic nerve endings. This review is focused on the available evidence derived from animal studies and will summarize the current discussion about (i) the modulation of the generation of sympathetic and parasympathetic activities within the brain stem by NO; (ii) the actions of NO on cardiovascular reflexes and (iii) the role of NO as a modulator of autonomic functions within the target organs. Finally, the available evidence from human studies and some pathophysiological implications of altered NO-mediated modulation of the neural control of circulation will be discussed.


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