Alkyl nitrate ester compounds are provided for the delivery of nitric oxide to targeted muscle tissues, and in particular, to normal and dystrophic muscles. In one aspect, nitrate ester compounds are provided having the following formula:wherein,R1 is ONO2, CH2ONO2, CnH2n+1OH, CnH2n+1OH, or CH2CH2CH3, or H；R2 is ONO2, CH2ONO2, Cn′H2n′+1OH, Cn′H2n′+1OH, CH2CH2CH3 or H； andR3 is ONO2, CH2ONO2, Cn′″H2n″+1OH, Cn″H2n″+1OH, CH2CH2CH3 or H；wherein n is an integer from 0 to 9, n′ is an integer from 0 to 9, and n″ is an integer from 0 to 9, and n+n′+n″≦9, and wherein at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is an ester nitrate selected from the group consisting of ONO2, CH2ONO2, and combinations thereof.
