Abstract
Role Of Nitric Oxide In Gastrointestinal Tract
Endogenous nitric oxide (NO) formed from L-arginine plays an important role as non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic inhibitory neurotransmitter in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. NO plays an important neuromodulator role in relaxation of various smooth muscles of GI tract and is also involved In the secretion of fluids, electrolytes and gastric acid. It is also involved in the various gastrointestinal pathological changes much as inflammatory bowel syndrome. In future, NO donors and specific inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase may gain clinical importance in number of gastric disorders. NO donors can be used in combination with non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in reducing their gastric side effects. In this article the extensive role of NO in gastrointestinal system has been discussed.
