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A new switch for the cell therapies of the future

Researchers have developed a new gene switch that uses nitroglycerine to trigger the production of insulin and regulate blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This switch is made exclusively of human constituents, eliminating the risk of false triggering or immune reactions.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateFeb 14, 2025

Porous crystals detect nitric oxide

A copper-containing, electrically conducting, two-dimensional metal–organic framework has been developed for the highly selective detection of nitric oxide. The material detects NO at room temperature with high sensitivity and selectivity, making it suitable for air quality monitoring and medical applications.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 12, 2024

Does a beet a day keep heart disease away?

A new study led by Penn State researchers found that daily consumption of beetroot juice may improve blood vessel function and reduce future heart disease risk in postmenopausal women. Beetroot juice contains high levels of nitrate, which helps blood vessels expand and improves circulation.

SourcePenn State·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 10, 2024

UM School of Medicine researchers identify important new signaling molecule involved in vascular health

Researchers identified a stable NO intermediary called NO-ferroheme, which enables nitric oxide to regulate blood flow and blood pressure. The discovery provides strong evidence for the role of heme in stabilizing NO and offers potential for developing new drugs targeting disease states such as pulmonary hypertension and diabetes.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2023

Cellular communication agent

Stabilizing the NO signaling pathway has been achieved through the use of zinc complexes, which can bind to thionitrite and perthionitrite anions. This breakthrough reveals the importance of these intermediates in cellular communication, shedding light on their roles in vasodilation and cell protection.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2021

Inhibition of proteins activated by nitric oxide reverses aortic aneurysm in Marfan syndrome

Scientists have discovered that the nitric oxide pathway is overactivated in Marfan Syndrome and causes aortic aneurysms. Inhibiting this pathway completely reverses the disease in a mouse model. The study identifies new therapeutic targets and markers for monitoring disease status.

How enzymes communicate

Researchers have discovered that enzymes can be activated by electrical stimulation, leading to ultrafast signal transfer within cells. This process allows for locally restricted signaling, preventing unwanted cellular processes such as cell death.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2017

Why salad helps you say yes to 'NO'

Researchers found that supplementing rats with nitrate before vessel injury limited damage, while a diet low in nitrate exacerbated it. The study suggests that leafy green diets may benefit vascular health through nitric oxide production.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 23, 2011

Activation of PPAR α/γ mediates remote IPC against myocardial infarction

Researchers have identified PPAR alpha and gamma as key signaling elements in remote ischemic preconditioning (IPC), a powerful form of cardioprotection that can reduce myocardial infarct size by up to 50%. The activation of these nuclear receptors is linked to the production of nitric oxide, a well-established preconditioning-mimetic.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology and Medicine·JournalExperimental Biology and Medicine·DateJan 17, 2011

Research team unlocks secrets of the firefly flash

A team of researchers from Tufts University and Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered that nitric oxide plays a key role in controlling the firefly flash. The findings, published in Science, reveal how a temporary cut in mitochondrial power supply triggers the firefly's bioluminescent glow.

SourceTufts University·JournalScience·DateJun 28, 2001