New insights into the regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthesis.

Recent studies have identified the induction of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in many cell types as part of the host response to sepsis and inflammation. Induced NO can have a variety of effects which may be detrimental or beneficial during sepsis or inflammation, depending on amount, duration, and anatomic site of synthesis. As arginine is the only physiological nitrogen donor for NO synthesis, metabolism of this amino acid may play an important role in regulation of NO synthesis during sepsis. This review will discuss the roles NO plays in sepsis and the potential impact of arginine metabolism on NO synthesis.