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 ONO 2 CH 2 ONO 2 , C n H 2n+1 OH, C n H 2n+1 OH, or CH 2 CH 2 CH 3 , or H； R 2 is ONO 2 , CH 2 ONO 2 , C n' H 2n'+1 OH, C n' H 2n'+1 OH, CH 2 CH 2 CH 3 or H； and R 3 is ONO 2 , CH 2 ONO 2 , C n"' H 2n+1 OH, C n" H 2n+1 OH, CH 2 CH 2 CH 3 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 R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is an ester nitrate selected from the group consisting of ONO 2 , CH 2 ONO 2 , and combinations thereof.
