DeMaster, Eugene G., Ph.D.

BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Nitric oxide (NO) derived from L-arginine is considered a key molecule in both physiologic and pathophysiologic processes. In normal vascular physiology, NO regulates blood pressure and vascular tone, inhibits platelet aggregation, modulates leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion, and reduces vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Pathologically, NO mediates, at least in part, tumoricidal and antimicrobial activities of macrophages, functions both as a pro- and anti-inflammatory agent, appears responsible for the hypotensive vascular collapse in endotoxemia and may mediate certain drug-induced organ injuries. Current research interests are focused on: a) providing a better understanding of basic NO biochemistry and the reactivity of NO and its redox partners with enzyme and small molecular weight thiols, b) describing mechanisms of NO-mediated cytoprotection and, c) elucidating mechanisms of NO-dependent cellular injury.