Discussion

Abstract

In the future, the use of nitric oxide (NO) will be a therapy encountered directly or indirectly in the practice of every oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Since its identification as the agent responsible for the biologic activity of endothelium-derived releasing factor in 1987, NO has been the subject of some 30,000 Medline-cited articles. NO has been implicated in vascular tone regulation, central nervous system neuromodulation, angiogenesis, and immunocytotoxic action. 1 Brennan PA Downie IP Langdon JD et al. Emerging role of nitric oxide in cancer. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1999; 37: 370 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (29) Google Scholar In addition to cancer, NO production has been associated with hypertension/hypotension, septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, thromboembolic disease, renal failure, bronchospasm, pulmonary hypertension, depression, impotence, and immune deficiency. 1 Brennan PA Downie IP Langdon JD et al. Emerging role of nitric oxide in cancer. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1999; 37: 370 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (29) Google Scholar In the oral cavity, NO may represent an important antimicrobial barrier. 2 Bentz BG Simmons RL Haines GK et al. The yin and yang of nitric oxide: Reflections on the physiology and pathophysiology of NO. Head Neck. 2000; 22: 71 Crossref PubMed Scopus (52) Google Scholar However, the role that NO plays in cancer of the oral cavity is poorly understood.