INSERM, U771, CNRS UMR, 6214, and Université d' Angers, Angers, France.
Antioxid Redox Signal. 2009 Mar;11(3):669-702. doi: 10.1089/ars.2007.1993.
Reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are various nitric oxide-derived compounds, including nitroxyl anion, nitrosonium cation, higher oxides of nitrogen, S-nitrosothiols, and dinitrosyl iron complexes. RNS have been recognized as playing a crucial role in the physiologic regulation of many, if not all, living cells, such as smooth muscle cells, cardiomyocytes, platelets, and nervous and juxtaglomerular cells. They possess pleiotropic properties on cellular targets after both posttranslational modifications and interactions with reactive oxygen species. Elevated levels of RNS have been implicated in cell injury and death by inducing nitrosative stress. The aim of this comprehensive review is to address the mechanisms of formation and removal of RNS, highlighting their potential cellular targets: lipids, DNA, and proteins. The specific importance of RNS and their paradoxic effects, depending on their local concentration under physiologic conditions, is underscored. An increasing number of compounds that modulate RNS processing or targets are being identified. Such compounds are now undergoing preclinical and clinical evaluations in the treatment of pathologies associated with RNS-induced cellular damage. Future research should help to elucidate the involvement of RNS in the therapeutic effect of drugs used to treat neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases and cancer.
活性氮物质（RNS）是各种一氧化氮衍生化合物，包括亚硝酰阴离子、硝酰阳离子、氮的高价氧化物、S-亚硝基硫醇和二硝酰基铁配合物。RNS 已被认为在许多（如果不是所有）活细胞的生理调节中发挥关键作用，如平滑肌细胞、心肌细胞、血小板以及神经和肾小球旁细胞。它们在与活性氧相互作用和进行翻译后修饰后，对细胞靶标具有多种特性。升高的 RNS 水平通过诱导硝化应激导致细胞损伤和死亡。本综述的目的是解决 RNS 的形成和清除机制，并强调其潜在的细胞靶标：脂质、DNA 和蛋白质。根据生理条件下局部浓度，RNS 的特定重要性及其矛盾效应得到强调。越来越多的调节 RNS 处理或靶标的化合物正在被识别。这些化合物目前正在进行临床前和临床评估，用于治疗与 RNS 诱导的细胞损伤相关的病理。未来的研究应该有助于阐明 RNS 在用于治疗神经退行性、心血管、代谢、炎症性疾病和癌症的药物的治疗效果中的作用。
