Nitric oxide in the regulation of body temperature and fever

(1) In this article, the aspects regarding the role of nitric oxide (NO) in thermoregulation and fever is reviewed. (2) It is currently believed that fever results from dc novo synthesis of cytokines and subsequent stimulation of the generation of prostaglandins in the central nervous system. However, the mechanisms underlying fever still remain only partly understood. (3) Recently, a new biologically active molecule has been described, i.e., the gaseous Compound NO. This molecule started a revolution in the understanding of several physiological and pathophysiological processes, including thermoregulation and fever. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.