nitric oxide pathway

The nitric oxide pathway involves a molecule called nitric oxide (NO) that helps blood vessels relax and widen, improving blood flow. When the lining of blood vessels (endothelium) is stimulated, it produces NO from an amino acid called L-arginine. NO then diffuses into the surrounding smooth muscle cells in the vessel walls, activating a chemical process that causes these muscles to relax. This relaxation allows vessels to dilate, lowering blood pressure and increasing blood supply to tissues. The pathway is vital for cardiovascular health and is also involved in processes like immune response and nerve signaling.