A new study by researchers from the University of Oxford has found that nitric oxide plays a key role in the ability of blood vessels to function. The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, provide insight into how the body regulates blood vessel density and could potentially lead to better treatments for a variety of medical conditions.

The research team, led by Dr. James Smith, studied how nitric oxide affects the production and function of endothelial cells, which are responsible for forming the lining of blood vessels. They discovered that nitric oxide acts as a “master regulator” of endothelial cells, controlling their production and function. This regulation is essential for the ability of the blood vessels to respond to changes in the body, such as increasing blood flow during exercise. The findings suggest that nitric oxide could be used to treat conditions such as hypertension and coronary artery disease, as well as diseases involving abnormal blood vessels, such as cancer.

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source: Phys.org