Nitric Oxide & Free radicals

Excessive free radicals and nitric oxide can negatively affect skeletal muscle through several mechanisms:
1. **Oxidative Stress**: High levels of free radicals lead to oxidative stress, which damages cellular components, including lipids, proteins, and DNA. This damage can impair muscle function and recovery.
2. **Inflammation**: Free radicals can promote inflammation, which may lead to muscle soreness and prolonged recovery times. Chronic inflammation can also contribute to muscle wasting and degeneration.
3. **Nitric Oxide Overproduction**: While nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in muscle signaling and blood flow, excessive NO can lead to the formation of reactive nitrogen species (RNS). These RNS can further damage muscle cells and interfere with normal cellular signaling.
4. **Impaired Muscle Repair**: Elevated levels of oxidative stress and RNS can hinder the muscle repair process after injury or intense exercise, affecting muscle growth and adaptation.
5. **Mitochondrial Dysfunction**: Free radicals can damage mitochondria, which are crucial for energy production in muscle cells. Dysfunctional mitochondria can lead to decreased ATP production, impairing muscle performance.
6. **Protein Degradation**: Increased oxidative stress can activate pathways that lead to protein degradation, contributing to muscle atrophy and loss of strength.
Overall, the balance of free radicals and antioxidants is crucial for maintaining muscle health, and excess free radicals and NO can disrupt this balance, leading to detrimental effects on skeletal muscle.