The importance of discovery in medicine

1998/12/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Medikuntza
• Biografiak
• Historia

Cardiovascular system: arterosclerosis reduces the production capacity of endothelium NO. Thus, by administering nitroglycerin to the patient, it releases such a beneficial NO in the body. Since NO is a signal molecule, large efforts are being made in laboratories to create new and powerful drugs that fight heart disease.

Shock: When bacterial infection is widespread, the NO released by our cells can be harmful. In fact, white blood cells produce a huge amount of NO to fight bacteria, extending blood vessels and drastically reducing blood pressure, so the patient may lose consciousness. In the face of this situation, NO production inhibitors can be administered to the patient to allow him to leave the state of shock.

Lungs: NO gas can be supplied to patients in intensive care units for imitation. This treatment has had good results and can serve to save lives, for example, in pediatrics children with high and dangerous blood pressure can be treated with NO to reduce blood pressure, but care must be taken with the dose, since at high concentrations nitric oxide is toxic.

Cancer: White blood cells use NO to remove bacteria, fungi, and external parasites, but also to protect the body from tumors. Therefore, scientists are currently testing whether it can be used with NO to prevent tumor growth, as it is believed that this gas could be used to cause programmed cell death.

Diagnostic analysis: NO production can be diagnosed in infectious diseases such as intestines and lungs. For example, it is being used to diagnose colitis, asthma, and other diseases.

Impotence: The DOES NOT participate in the molecular mechanism of erection of the penis, as the blood vessels of the penis expand. Knowing the role of NO, it has been possible to better understand the mechanism of erection and has opened the way for the creation of new anti-impotence drugs. Therefore, this year's Nobel Prize is related in the press to the prestigious Viagra, since the discovery of this year's winners opened the way for the creation of Viagra.