Narrative review demonstrates concentration-dependent signaling roles of nitric oxide in human biology, highlighting distinct vascular and host defense functions.
Nitric oxide (NO) is a short-lived signaling free radical produced from L-arginine and oxygen by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes or regenerated from dietary nitrate/nitrite pools. Depending on its localization, concentration, and environment, NO plays a variety of roles. At low nM levels, it regulates vasodilation, angiogenesis, and vascularization, and participates in neuronal signaling; at higher levels, it supports host defense and can be self-damaging.
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Reis et al. (2026) studied this question.
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