Nitric Oxide in the Eye

by S. Kashii, A. Akaike, Y. Honda

Overview

Nitric oxide (NO) is a simple gas with free radical properties. No one would have imagined a role for such a simple substance in the human body. In 1998, R. E Furchgott, E Murad, and L. J. Ignarro received the Nobel prize for their work on NO. Interestingly, Alfred B. Nobel, who invented dynamite by combining nitro­ glycerin with other substances, took nitroglycerin for his chest pain without realizing that NO mediates its action. Now, in addition to its vasodilating action, NO is known to possess many fundamental functions that include neurotrans­ mission, blood pressure control, blood clotting, and immune responses. These diverse functions, conversely, imply that the simple NO molecule may unite neuroscience, physiology, and immunology and may change our understanding of how cells communicate and defend themselves. In this context, the International Symposium, Nitric Oxide and Free Radicals, was organized to address current thinking about the widespread distribution and variety of functions of NO in the eye. The symposium was held in Kyoto, Japan, September 28-29 as a Satellite Symposium of the XII International Congress of Eye Research, 1996. The Symposium was the first international gathering of leading scientists and ophthalmologists meeting to present and discuss their most recent results in a specialized area of research, specifically concerning the eye.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9784431702870
Publisher:	Springer Japan
Publication date:	07/28/2000
Edition description:	2000
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.02(d)

About the Author

Kashii, Satoshi, MD, PhD (Kyoto Univ); Akaike, Akinori, PhD (Kyoto Univ); Honda, Yoshihito, MD, PhD (Kyoto Univ)

Table of Contents

I. Overview.- Nitric Oxide: Some New Concepts.- II. Aqueous Dynamics: Mechanisms of Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma.- Contractility of Trabecular Meshwork and Ciliary Muscle: Modulation by the NO/cGMP System.- Origin and Function of Nitrergic Nerves in the Human Eye: Morphological Aspects.- III. Ocular Bloodflow: Ocular Autonomic Neurotransmission.- Cell Culture Studies of Oxygen, Nitric Oxide, and Retinal Pericytes’ Contractile Tone.- Regulation of Retinal Arterial and Arteriolar Tone by Nitric Oxide Derived from Endothelium and Perivascular Nerve.- IV. The Uvea: Pathophysiology of Uveitis.- Nitric Oxide in the Iris Sphincter Muscle.- Role of Peroxynitrite in Photoreceptor Damage in Experimental Uveitis.- V. The Retina.- Regulation of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in the Retina.- Neuronal Protection by Nitric Oxide-Related Species.- Nitric Oxide and Retinal Ischemia.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Robert C. Sorenson, MD, PhD (Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute)
Description: This book is a result of the XII International Congress of Eye Research in 1996, and its newest citations are from 1997.
Purpose: This book is intended as a comprehensive, up-to-date review of nitric oxide biology in the eye. As the first monograph on nitric oxide reviewing all ocular tissues, it is a valuable addition to the ophthalmic literature.
Audience: Researchers and any ophthalmologists seeking a current review of the field are the audience for this book. It will be valuable for presentations, didactics, or initiating nitric oxide research in the eye. The authors of each section are authorities in their fields, and a broad range of topics are covered. Ocular blood flow and ischemia are emphasized, but the role of nitric oxide and its derivatives in ocular hypertension, photoreceptor damage, iris sphincter physiology, neuronal protection, and trabecular meshwork contractility are also addressed.
Features: The authors judiciously diagram and explain methodologies, making the text accessible to readers new to the field. The introductory chapter describes the actions and regulation of nitric oxide and its derivatives in several non-ocular but relevant tissues. This discussion of nitric oxide chemistry facilitates understanding later chapters. Throughout the text, flow charts, tables and figures are clear, understandable, and appropriately detailed. The chapter on nitric oxide and ischemia focuses on experimental models. Like most of the book, it is well organized and readable, but has little of the research on common diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusions. The chapter on experimental uveitis is informative but short and could be expanded to several chapters on ocular inflammation. Similarly, a chapter on corneal diseases will enhance future editions.
Assessment: Although less current than would be ideal, this book is informative, well written, and fills a need for a concise overview of the biology of nitric oxide in the eye.

Doody's Review Service

3 Stars from Doody