Final answer:
Nitrostat SL tablets work by releasing nitric oxide, which causes blood vessels to dilate and increase blood flow to the heart. This mechanism provides quick relief from angina pectoris by relaxing smooth muscle cells and expanding the coronary arteries.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Nitrostat SL Tablets Work:
Nitrostat SL (sublingual) tablets contain the active compound nitroglycerin, which is used in the management of heart disease. The mechanism through which these tablets work involves the release of nitric oxide (NO). NO is a gaseous signaling molecule that can easily diffuse across the plasma membrane. Its interaction with receptors on smooth muscle cells leads to the relaxation of these muscles. When it comes to blood vessels, this relaxation results in vasodilation or the widening of the blood vessels. The vasodilatory effect of NO is particularly helpful in conditions such as angina pectoris, where the coronary arteries that supply the heart with oxygen-rich blood are constricted.
Administering Nitrostat SL causes the release of NO encouraging the dilation of these arteries which increases blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart muscle, thereby relieving the pain associated with inadequate blood supply. It is important to note that the effect of the released NO from nitroglycerin is short-lived due to its very short half-life. This property of NO ensures that it acts quickly but also means that its impact is limited to a short duration and affects only nearby target cells (local effect), which is suitable for acute management of angina attacks.