M C Nuvia SánchezM Antonio Jesús RodríguezN Eduvigis SolórzanoJ M Belkis Quiñonez2026-03-222026-03-222010http://erevistas.saber.ula.ve/index.php/odontoula/article/download/7194/7068https://andeanlibrary.org/handle/123456789/64071Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical, characterized by an unpaired electron in its outer orbital; required for enzymatic synthesis of the substrate L-arginine, an oxygen atom and the presence of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Has an important role in physiological processes such as regulation of vascular tone, modulation of sensory information transmission and immune effects. However, free radicals and nitric oxide in particular are involved in the pathogenesis of certain chronic diseases of the oral cavity, and are produced in considerable amounts, during phagocytosis by macrophages and neutrophils. The purpose of this study was to review the literature on aspects related to the effects of nitric oxide (NO) as a potential intervening factor in the multifactorial nature of chronic periodontitis. The results of in vitro and in vivo showed that the levels of NO and the expression of NOS increased in periodontal fibroblasts, gingival crevicular fluid and saliva in periodontitis. It is possible to conclude that the destruction periodontal, during the periodontitis, is a consequence of a response inmunitaria altered opposite to the dental plaque, which involves the long liberation of enzymes and radical free with predominance of NO.esNitric oxidePeriodontitisPhagocytosisNitric oxide synthaseChemistryChronic periodontitisPathogenesisImmune systemImmunologyEnzymearticle