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MR Vol.10 No.2 indexに戻る
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MODERN RHEUMATOLOGY
Vol.10 No.2 |
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The role of nitric oxide in arthritic joints:
a therapeutic target? |
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| K. Nishida1, T. Doi1, H. Inoue1 |
| (1)Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty
of Medicine, Okayama University Medical School, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho,
Okayama 700-8558, Japan |
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| Abstract |
| Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) is produced by many
cell types in the joint, and its expression is delicately regulated.
Depending on its concentration and cellular origin, NO appears to
have both pro- and anti-inflammatory potential in the joint. Constitutively
expressed nitric oxide synthase (NOS) produces small amounts of NO,
which is essential for normal physiological homeostasis. However,
inflammatory stimuli such as endotoxins, cytokines, and growth factors
promote inducible NOS (iNOS) expression, initially as an anti-inflammatory
response, and catalyse a high output of NO. Excessive NO can amplify
inflammatory pathways and contribute to the development and maintenance
of arthritis. Consequently, proper regulation of NO synthesis can
lead to a novel therapeutic approach for inflammatory joint diseases.
Further careful study will be necessary to develop new drugs to regulate
the NO pathway and to determine the dosage, timing of administration,
and duration of treatment in order to avoid both undesirable immunostimulatory
effects and immunosuppressive effects. |
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| Key words |
| Key words Nitric oxide ・ Rheumatoid arthritis
・ Osteoarthritis ・ Therapeutic target |
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