Nitrosation and nitration of bioactive molecules: toward the basis of disease and its prevention

Traditionally raised by the toxicological implications of excess exposure to nitrogen oxides and nitrite ions, interest in the chemistry of biological nitrosations and nitrations has gained new impetus in the past decade following the discovery of nitric oxide (NO) as an endogenous physiological regulator and an amplifier of oxidative stress-dependent toxic processes. This account is concerned with an overview of the reactions of nitrosating and nitrating agents of pathophysiological relevance with two potential biochemical targets, namely polyunsaturated fatty acids and catecholamines. The results of model studies on the mechanism of the antinitrosating activity of caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid are also presented.