气体信号分子在心血管疾病发病中的意义

气体分子一氧化氮(NO)的发现开创了气体信号分子这一新型研究领域,目前已发现3种气体信号分子:NO、一氧化碳(CO)和硫化氢(H2S).他们在体内内源性生成,发挥广泛的生物学效应,本文仅就3种气体信号分子在心血管系统中的意义进行简要阐述.在心血管系统中内源性气体信号分子NO、CO和H2S分别与其相应的合成酶一氧化氮合酶(NOS)、血红素加氧酶(HO)和胱硫醚-γ-裂解酶(CSE)形成独立而又相互关联的体系(NO/NOS体系、CO/HO体系、H2S/CSE体系),不仅参与心血管系统生理状态下功能和结构的维持,而且在高血压、肺动脉高压、感染性休克、动脉粥样硬化等心血管疾病发病中发挥重要的病理生理学作用.

Significance of gaseous signal molecule in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases

The discovery of nitric oxide (NO) initiated a novel research field, gaseous signal molecules. Other two gaseous signal molecules, carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), have been approved subsequently. All of these three gaseous signal molecules are generated endogenously and exert extensive biological effects. This article reviews the significance of gaseous signal molecules in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. In the cardiovascular system, the endogenous NO, CO and H2S form three specific and relevant pathways with their corresponding enzymes including nitric oxide synthase (NOS), heme oxygenase (HO), and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE). The gaseous signal molecules not only participate in the maintenance of physiological function and structure of the cardiovascular system, but also exert important pathophysiological effects in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, septic shock and atherosclerosis. Further studies on gaseous signal molecules will remarkably promote the basic research in the cardiovascular fields, and provide a novel direction for the clinical research as well.