Viagra Discoverers Receive Nobel Prize for Their Work

The noble prize was awarded to three scientists that worked on the research which led to the discovery of Viagra. Robert Furchgott, Louis Ignarro and Ferid Murad, all university professors shared the prize of over 500,000 British pounds.

Their research consisted in finding that when nitric oxide is released into the body, it can relax and stimulate blood vessels in vital organs, including the heart. Thanks to their research in this field, amazing discoveries have been made and it has led to further research in cancer, cardiovascular diseases and erectile dysfunction.

Dr. Murad was the first to initiate the research back in 1977. He unveiled that muscle cells release nitric oxide when they are relaxed and human hormones react to it. Dr. Furchgott discovered that some medications were able to dilate a person’s blood vessel and in some cases cause the vessel to contract. He called this the “relaxing factor” back in 1980.

It was Dr. Ignarro who concluded both Murad’s and Furchgott’s finding that nitric oxide was the signaling factor.

Nitric Oxide Paved the Way

Ever since this discovery, nitric oxide has been very important for doctors and researchers that treat conditions such as shock, cancer, heart issues and Erectile Dysfunction. It led to the creation of Viagra which does not only help men with Impotence problems, but has been used to help Lung Fibrosis sufferers breathe better and even provides aid to women who are trying to conceive babies.

Read more about how Viagra has helped other medical conditions:

Viagra Being Used to Help Women Conceive Babies

Sildenafil to relieve Lung Fibrosis Sufferers?