Nitric Oxide Regulation of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology

The nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathway participates in regulating numerous facets of cardiovascular function, including myocardial contractility, ventricular relaxation, mitochondrial respiration, and endothelial function. As such, this pathway contributes to numerous facets of cardiovascular pathophysiology. NO plays a main role in both regulating and responding to the redox state of the cell (nitroso-redox balance), which targets calcium handling, contractile mechanisms, vasoactive mechanisms, as well as stem cell aspects involved in cardiac regeneration. Thus, the interaction between NO and reactive oxygen species (ROS), the nitroso-redox signaling pathway, is critically important in cardiac physiology and pathophysiology and a fundamental therapeutic target. This chapter will address the cardiovascular implications of the biological balance between NO and ROS as they relate to cardiac physiology and the pathophysiology of heart disease and offer insights for the development of new therapeutic strategies.