Objective The World Health Organization reported that in 2003 cardio and cerebrovascular diseases such as heart failure, myocardial infarction, hypertension, coronary artery disease and stroke make up to 16.7 million (29%) of total worldwide deaths (www.who.int). In Europe these diseases are responsible for 27% to 56% of total deaths and are estimated to require 53% of the total health expenditures. Despite extensive efforts to develop therapeutic strategies for these diseases the results are not yet satisfying and there is a need for further development of new pharmacological treatments. The function of nitric oxide (NO), which is produced in the healthy endothelium, has been summarized as “anti-atherosclerotic”. Therefore, endothelial dysfunction, i.e. the inability of the endothelium to produce NO and subsequent impaired vasorelaxation leads to pathophysiological conditions, such as atherosclerosis, which is one of the major pathogenic factors contributing to the cardio and cerebrovascular clinical endpoints mentioned above. Under certain conditions, nitric oxide synthase has been shown to generate nitrogen species that are chemically distinct from NO. Among these, nitroxyl (HNO), the one-electron-reduced form of NO, has attracted scientific interest for its unique cardio and cerebrovascular effects that are pharmacologically different from NO. These effects make HNO a very promising pharmacological agent to be used in the treatment of cardio and cerebrovascular diseases. Furthermore, we recently found that HNO can be formed from myoloperoxidase (MPO) in vitro. MPO is upregulated under inflammatory conditions and inflammation is one major pathophysiological mechanism in cardio and cerebrovascular diseases. Thus, the basis to promote HNO as a therapeutic strategy is the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of action, signaling pathways and function in the in vivo system under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicinecardiologycardiovascular diseasesarteriosclerosismedical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologystrokemedical and health sciencesclinical medicineangiologyvascular diseasescerebrovascular diseases Keywords ESI-MS HNO HPLC cardio and cerebrovascular system inflammation nitroxyl organ bath stroke Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) PEOPLE-2007-2-1.IEF - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator UNIVERSITAETSKLINIKUM HAMBURG-EPPENDORF EU contribution € 167 549,28 Address Martinistrasse 52 20251 Hamburg Germany See on map Region Hamburg Hamburg Hamburg Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Rainer H. Böger (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
