A review of findings pertaining to EDRF (endothelium derived relaxation factor) which proved to be nitric oxide, NO. After an account of the vasodilatating action of NO in the cardiovascular system the main attention is devoted to macrophages, the source of NO and to the formation of NO during activation of infections and during septic shock. NO participates also in the cytotoxicity of macrophages. NO may be the cause of hypotension in hepatic failure. Cumulation of endogenous inhibitors of NO formation in renal failure may be the cause of hypertension. The author analyzes other clinical effects of NO with regard to impotence and diabetes: NO stimulates insulin secretion from the B-cells of the islets of Langerhans. Attention is also drawn to the possible function of NO in the pituitary, in particular with regard to the arginine test which stimulates STH secretion.

Laborator pro endokrinologii a metabolismus pri 3 interní klinice 1 lékarské fakulty University Karlovy Praha