Electrochemical generation of nitric oxide for medical applications

Abstract

Over the past 30 years, the significance of nitric oxide (NO) has become increasingly apparent in mammalian physiology. It is biosynthesized by three isoforms of nitric oxide synthases (NOS): neuronal (nNOS), endothelial (eNOS), and inducible (iNOS). nNOS and eNOS both produce low levels of NO (nM) as a signaling agent and vasodilator, respectively. iNOS is present in activated macrophages at sites of infection to generate acutely toxic (μM) levels of NO as part of the mammalian immune defense mechanism. These discoveries have led to numerous animal and clinical studies to evaluate the potential therapeutic utility of NO in various medical operations/treatments, primarily using NO gas (via gas-cylinders) as the NO source. In this review, we focus specifically on recent advances in the electrochemical generation of NO (E-NOgen) as an alternative means to generate NO from cheap and inert sources, and the fabrication and testing of biomedical devices that utilize E-NOgen to controllably generate NO for medical applications.

CuII Lewis Acid, Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Mechanism for Cu-Metal–Organic Framework-Catalyzed NO Release from S-Nitrosoglutathione

“…The catalytic generation of nitric oxide (NO) from endogenous sources such as S -Nitrosothiols (RSNO) by solid-state copper-based materials is important for implanted medical device applications. − Generating NO in vivo stimulates vasodilation for improved blood flow at medical device surfaces and increases the lifetime of implanted devices. − …”

Recent Advances in Functional Nanomaterials for Catalytic Generation of Nitric Oxide: A Mini Review

“…During the electrocatalytic process, the NO release kinetic is related to several parameters such as the concentration of the substrates, but it can be quantitatively manipulated by varying the applied voltage. [ 79 ] Electrocatalytic generation of NO usually utilizes nitrite as an inexpensive, convenient, and nontoxic precursor, which is abundant in some specific tissue, making it potential for particular applications in vivo. Due to the low cost of the electrocatalytic NO generation strategy, portable NO gas generator usually adopts this technical method instead of the clumpy and dangerous high‐pressure gas cylinders.…”

Exploring second coordination sphere effects in flavodiiron nitric oxide reductase model complexes

“…7–9 NO has many important biomedical applications, for example in medical devices that can generate the gas electrochemically, allowing for the controlled release of NO in blood and other parts of the body. 10…”