The anti-apoptotic actions of nitric oxide in hepatocytes.

Nitric oxide (NO) has anti-apoptotic actions in hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo. The protection is mediated via the S-nitrosylation of procaspases as well as the active caspase enzymes. NO stimulation of the cGMP/protein kinase G pathway also appears to contribute to the protective effect of NO. Here we review the evidence for the direct inhibition of NO with the apoptotic signaling pathways in hepatocytes.