S-NITROSOTHIOLS AS SMOOTH MUSCLE RELAXANTS AND THERAPEUTIC USES THEREOF

摘要

S-nitrosothiols exert a potent relaxant effect, mediated by guanylate cyclas e, upon non-vascular smooth muscle. Such types of smooth muscle include airway, gastrointestinal, bladder, uteri ne and corpus cavernosah Thus, S- nitrosothiols may be used for the treatment or prevention of disorders associated with relaxation of smooth muscle, such as airway obstruction, and other respiratory disorders, bladder dysfunction, premature labor and impotence, Additionally, S-nitrosothiols may be used to alleviate smooth muscle contraction and spasm , and thus facilitate procedures involving diagnostic instrumentation, such as endoscopy, bronchoscopy, laparoscopy and cystoscopy. Figure 3 shows the relaxation effects of various S-nitrosbthiols on guinea pig trachea.