描述
Isoamyl nitrite (IAN) has been used as antianginal agents for more than 100 years. It is now established that IAN cause direct vasorelaxation through vascular generation of NO and relaxation via a cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent process. (PMID: 8996213)
IAN is a member of the family of volatile organic nitrites that exert vasodilatory effects and have recently exhibited a considerable potential for inhalation abuse. (PMID: 9829558)
All nitrovasodilators act intracellularly by a common molecular mechanism. This is characterized by the release of nitric oxide (NO). This process basically depends on the presence of oxygen as electron acceptor from the sydnonimine molecule. Organic nitrites (such as IAN) require the interaction with a mercapto group to form a S-nitrosothiol intermediate, from which finally NO radicals are liberated. In the presence of thiol compounds organic nitrites (e.g., IAN) and nitrosothiols may act as intermediary products of NO generation. (PMID: 1683227) [HMDB]