Hormonal
Physiologic levels of nitric oxide (NO) enhance insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle by improving microvascular perfusion and directly blocking inhibitory interactions with insulin signaling pathways.
Maintaining healthy nitric oxide levels through exercise (which increases shear stress and NO production) supports insulin sensitivity. This happens by improving blood flow to muscles and directly enhancing the cellular signaling of insulin, helping your body manage blood sugar and energy more efficiently.
Higher skeletal muscle NOS expression and activity improve insulin action via NO/cGMP/cGK signaling. Insulin sensitivity is enhanced indirectly as NO increases – skeletal muscle microvascular perfusion, delivering nutrients and insulin to target tissues... – directly as NO/cGK blocks the inhibitory interaction of the small GTPase Rho/Rho kinase with insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1.
Why this rating
This is a review paper summarizing basic research and clinical observations; it cites many primary studies but does not present new primary clinical trial data itself.
Source
Characterization of the Role of Nitric Oxide and Its Clinical Applications
Arlene B. Levine et al. · Cardiology · 2012
DOI 10.1159/000338150
More from this paper
- Physiologic levels of nitric oxide reduce mitochondrial oxidative stress and ROS production by lowering mitochondrial membrane potential, thereby protecting against cellular aging and oxidative damage.Moderate
- Excessive nitric oxide production, particularly via inducible NOS (iNOS) during inflammation, is cytotoxic, promotes oxidative stress, and impairs mitochondrial function, leading to cell death and organ failure.Moderate
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