On the one hand, there is overwhelming evidence supporting the ability of NO-derived iNOS to mediate the anti-stunning, vasodilator and anti-infarct effects in preconditioned hearts (i.e., hearts more resistant to sustained ischemia-related damage because of the previous exposure to multiple short episodes of ischemia and reperfusion) (Xi et al., 1999; Bolli, 2001). The gene discussed is NOS2; the disease is ischemia.