Nitric oxide: a gas transmitter in healthy and diseased skin

Farahani, Arman1; Farahani, Aryan1; Kashfi, Khosrow2; Ghasemi, Asghar1,*

Author Information

1Endocrine Physiology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, City University of New York School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

*Correspondence to: Asghar Ghasemi, PhD, Ghasemi@sbmu.ac.ir or Ghasemi.asghar@gmail.com.

Funding:This work was supported by Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, No. 43011564-1; and in part by the National Institutes of Health, USA, Nos. R01GM123508 and 2U54MD017979-01A1 (both to KK).

Abstract

Numerous physiological processes in the human skin are mediated by nitric oxide, a gaseous signalling molecule. Almost every type of skin cell may produce nitric oxide, it is possible to generate nitric oxide without the need of enzymes. Nitric oxide plays a crucial role in regulating apoptosis, keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation, the protective properties of the epidermal barrier, and the structure and functions of the microcirculatory bed. Nitric oxide is involved in immunological and inflammatory responses, hair growth regulation, and wound healing processes. It mediates ultraviolet-induced processes such as erythema and edema development and participates in melanogenesis. Furthermore, the ability of nitric oxide to bind reactive oxygen species and prevent lipid peroxidation gives it antioxidant qualities. This coordinated action of nitric oxide on gene expression and membrane integrity effectively protects cells from ultraviolet A-induced apoptosis and necrosis. Furthermore, nitric oxide can be considered as a molecule that inhibits the development of cancer and photoaging. It directly harms microorganisms and indirectly activates the immune system, exhibiting antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal qualities. Notably, nitric oxide is effective against antibiotics-resistant bacteria. All of the aforementioned findings suggest that nitric oxide is a gaseous mediator that can protect skin function.

摘要

人体皮肤中的众多生理过程均受一氧化氮（一种气体信号分子）的介导。几乎每种类型的皮肤细胞都能产生一氧化氮，并且有可能通过非酶促途径生成一氧化氮。一氧化氮在调节细胞凋亡、角质形成细胞的分化与增殖、表皮屏障的保护特性以及微循环血管床的结构和功能方面起着至关重要的作用。它参与免疫和炎症反应、毛发生长调节以及伤口愈合过程。一氧化氮介导紫外线诱导的过程，如红斑和水肿的形成，并参与黑色素生成。此外，一氧化氮结合活性氧、防止脂质过氧化的能力使其具有抗氧化特性。一氧化氮这种对基因表达和膜完整性的协同作用，能有效保护细胞免受紫外线A诱导的凋亡和坏死。此外，一氧化氮可被视为一种抑制光老化和癌症发展的分子。它直接损害微生物，并间接激活免疫系统，展现出抗菌、抗病毒和抗真菌的特性。值得注意的是，一氧化氮对抗药性细菌也有效。上述所有研究结果表明，一氧化氮是一种能够保护皮肤功能的气体介质。