Nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation.

Nitric oxide can both promote and inhibit lipid peroxidation. By itself, nitric oxide acts as a potent inhibitor of the lipid peroxidation chain reaction by scavenging propagatory lipid peroxyl radicals. In addition, nitric oxide can also inhibit many potential initiators of lipid peroxidation, such as peroxidase enzymes. However, in the presence of superoxide, nitric oxide forms peroxynitrite, a powerful oxidant capable of initiating lipid peroxidation and oxidizing lipid soluble antioxidants. The role of nitric oxide in vascular pathology is discussed.