Unraveling Nonenzymatic Nitric Oxide Production and Its Impact on Pulmonary Hypertension
https://doi.org/10.1002/pul2.70152
Abstract
My journey into studying nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability developed as I explored the role of nitrite ions. The traditional view that nitrite was merely an inactive byproduct of NO oxidation was a perspective I sought to challenge. As I continued my research at Papworth and Addenbrooke's Hospitals under Professor Higenbottam, I hypothesized that nitrite ions could be a source of NO bioactivity.
This hypothesis was not just an academic pursuit; it had potential clinical implications, particularly for conditions like pulmonary hypertension. Driven by a passion for helping those suffering from pulmonary hypertension, I hypothesized that NO from naturally circulating nitrite ions could help in certain clinical situations. Pulmonary hypertension involves dangerously high pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs and often leads to right heart failure. Patients experience intense fatigue and breathlessness, resulting in a steady decline in quality of life.