Abstract: Nitric oxide level of cerebral tissue was "double peaks-like" during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, and the role of nitric oxide will change depending on its level in vivo. Nitric oxide mediated apoptosis mainly through four signal pathways. Nitric oxide can make related protein s-nitrosylation via molecular modification, further regulate signal pathways and affect apoptosis.

Key words: Nitric oxide, Apoptosis, Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, Signal pathway, S-nitrosylation