The mechanism underlying nitroxyl and nitric oxide formation from hydroxamic acids

► Oxidation of hydroxamic acids (HXs) by a continuous generation of ·OH yields HNO. ► HNO is formed via the bimolecular decomposition of the transient nitroxide radical. ► HXs oxidation by metMb/H2O2 forms nitrite and HNO under both anoxia and normoxia. ► HXs can be considered as NO-donors under oxidative stress if HNO is oxidized to NO.