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Biotech / Medical : VVUS: VIVUS INC. (NASDAQ) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jim who wrote (5138)	1/30/1998 12:25:00 PM
From: Cacaito	Respond to of 23519

Nitric oxide, the vasodilator messenger molecule. Half life is few (3-4) seconds. Byproduct is nitrates and nitrites. Both increase during many body activities, like infection fight. They could turn into nitrosamines (by bacteria in the bowels, a little bit in the body) one of tobacco components in cancer. But nitrates and nitrites are widely consumed in cured meats, and can preservatives. Also, heavy concentration in Popeye's famous spinachs. So not so a clear cut case for trouble.(I do not think so). Nitric oxide is in use for pulmonary hypertension, is a gas easy to give i to the lungs and avoid rest of the body. Nitrite production and secondary hemoglobin uptake of nitrite (one of the main ways the body handles nitrite) creates oxihemoglobin (but without oxygen) and oxigenation problems if it buildup to high levels. (also a problem of lidocaine anesthetics). But very rarely a clinical problem. So most probably they are questioning PFE about it and they will get the usual response to this. Probably, a huge intoxication could create problem, (like a suicide attempt using 100 viagra pills, not the intended use) or chronic use (well one could get 10 times more with cabbage or spinach. Or like the case of well water fed babies who got blue in NY state several years ago (all survived). Not a problem for PFE. Caveat: I could be wrong.