Nitroglycerine, a 100 year old explosive and heart medicine

In atherosclerosis, plaques reduce blood flow in the arteries. This decreases oxygen supply to the heart muscle causing chest pain (angina pectoris) and sometimes even myocardial infarction. Treatment with nitroglycerine provides NO, dilates the vessels, and increases blood flow. Thanks to this year’s Nobel Laureates we now understand how nitroglycerine, an important heart medicine, works. It acts as a NO donor, causes dilation of the blood vessels, increases oxygen supply and protects the heart from damage and cell death.

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MLA style: Nitroglycerine, a 100 year old explosive and heart medicine. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Media AB 2019. Mon. 18 Feb 2019. <https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1998/7549-nitroglycerine-a-100-year-old-explosive-and-heart-medicine/>

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Nobel Prizes 2018

In 2018, 12 new laureates were awarded for achievements that have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.

Their work and discoveries range from cancer therapy and laser physics to developing proteins that can solve humankind’s chemical problems. The work of the 2018 Nobel Laureates also included combating war crimes, as well as integrating innovation and climate with economic growth. Find out more.
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Look for popular awards and laureates in different fields, and discover the history of the Nobel Prize.