S-methylcysteine, S-ethylcysteine, and related S-alkylthiols as antagonists to the effects of S-nitrosothiols and nitric oxide

A method of inhibiting the actions of S-nitrosothiols and nitric oxide which often occur in conditions such as septic shock, chronic or acute pain syndromes, uterine hypotonus, or certain gastrointestinal disorders. The method involving inhibiting the cellular binding of S-nitrosothiols to their cellular receptors or the signal transduction that would result. This is accomplished by administering an S-alkylthiol such as S-methyl-L-cysteine or S-ethyl-L-cysteine to a patient as an antagonist of S-nitrosothiol.