Review Article

Role of the eNOS Uncoupling and the Nitric Oxide Metabolic Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

Figure 1

Balance between production and degradation of nitric oxide (NO) by oxidative stress determines endothelial NO bioavailability. Synthesis of NO can be regulated at the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene expression level and eNOS enzymatic activity level. The eNOS activity depends also on substrate and cofactor availability and the presence of oxidative stress and endogenous inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). Adapted from Yang and Ming [177]. Abbreviations: eNOS: endothelial nitric oxide synthase; NO: nitric oxide; BH4: tetrahydrobiopterin; ADMA: assymetric dimethylarginine.