Short-time non-enzymatic nitric oxide synthesis from L-arginine and hydrogen peroxide induced by shock waves treatment

The evidence that nitric oxide (NO) production is possible by a non-enzymatic pathway has already been shown under restrictive experimental conditions. Here we show that NO can non-enzymatically be formed with short-time kinetics (min), by 'bombing' with shock waves a solution containing 1 mM hydrogen peroxide and 10 MM L-arginine. This procedure is widening its medical application with surprisingly positive effects in tissue regeneration and our finding could be one of the first steps for the understanding of the biochemical responsible for these therapeutical effects. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. on behalf of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies.