Posted by Miguel (209.42.225.98) on January 31, 2000 at 22:03:44:
In Reply to: I'd like to add this to the discussion. posted by drummer on January 31, 2000 at 20:37:09:
Interesting paper. It certainly feeds the imagination with the suggestions about G-protein, nitrogen, ADP, etc. I was thinking about the G-protein involvement in my CH this morning as I drove to the CH clinic. After reading the abstract you posted I thought about EDRF (endothelelial-derived-relaxing-factor) and its possible involvement in CH. The abstract linked by you vaguely describes somehting that might be related to EDRF. EDRF is believed to be involved in vascular regulation, maintaining vascular tone. It is a potent vasodilator, altough very short-lived. I guess with a longer-lived NO like, or analog, the effects are more persistent, as with nitroglycerine. Arginine is also involved in the metabolic pathway. The bottom line is formation of free radicals....hmmmmm...something to ponder and look into during those long, pain-filled nights.
Miguel