Nitric oxide donors: biochemical pharmacology and therapeutics.

The NO donors are a diverse group of agents with unique chemical structures and biochemical requirements for generation of NO. The differences in biochemistry and metabolism may, in turn, cause differences in their pharmacology and therapeutic actions. A thorough understanding of the biochemical pharmacology of NO donors and factors controlling their therapeutic activity would facilitate the optimal use of these agents as chemical carriers of NO, and the development of newer agents than can selectively modulate the many physiological actions of NO.