选择性、非选择性NOS抑制剂及L-精氨酸对创伤性休克大鼠的影响

目的探讨一氧化氮合酶（NOS）抑制剂及L-精氨酸（L Arg）对创伤性休克大鼠的治疗作用。 方法建立创伤性休克大鼠模型，随机分为对照组、左旋硝基精氨酸甲酯（L NAME）处理组、氨基胍（AG）处理组及L-精氨酸（L Arg）处理组，分别于复苏后1，4，7h检测血清一氧化氮（NO）浓度，复苏后1h检测骨骼肌、肝脏、小肠的组织氧分压，监测血液动力学变化并记录存活时间。 结果与对照组相比，L NAME可显著降低血清NO浓度，而对组织氧分压及12，24h存活率无显著影响；AG仅在休克后期使NO浓度明显降低，而对早期NO的合成与释放无显著作用，AG可提高肝脏、小肠的组织氧分压，提高休克模型12h存活率；应用L Arg可显著提高血清NO浓度，并可明显改善肝脏、小肠的组织氧分压，显著提高12，24h存活率。 结论选择性NOS抑制剂AG及L Arg更能改善创伤性休克动物模型的预后。     

Effects of selective nitric oxide synthase inhibition in hyperdynamic endotoxemia in dogs.

OBJECTIVES: Our aims were to investigate the systemic hemodynamic effects of constitutive endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitors in hyperdynamic endotoxemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Group 1 comprised sham-operated controls, while in group 2, 3 and 4, a hyperdynamic circulatory reaction was elicited by a 2-hour infusion of Escherichia coli endotoxin (ETX) in a dose of 5.3 microg/kg. The animals in group 3 were treated with 12. 5 mg/kg nonselective NOS inhibitor N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), and those in group 4 with 2 mg/kg of the specific iNOS inhibitor S-methyl-isothiourea (SMT). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO) and myocardial contractility (MC) were measured, and total peripheral resistance (TPR) was calculated. The eNOS and iNOS activities were determined in myocardial biopsy samples taken after 8 h of endotoxemia. RESULTS: ETX induced significant decreases in TPR and MAP, a transient myocardial depression, and increased the myocardial eNOS and iNOS activities. L-NAME decreased the activities of both isoenzymes, increased MC but induced a fall in CO. SMT inhibited iNOS by 60%, without influencing the eNOS activity, increased MAP and contractility in the early phase of endotoxemia, and induced only a slight decrease in CO. CONCLUSIONS: Nonselective NOS inhibition restores the arterial pressure and exerts a positive inotropic effect, but decreases CO. SMT selectively decreases the iNOS activation without disturbing the vasoregulatory function of the eNOS-derived nitric oxide in hyperdynamic endotoxemia in the dog.     

The role of selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor on nitric oxide and PGE2 levels in refractory hemorrhagic-shocked rats

BACKGROUND: The up-regulation of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxgenase-2 (COX-2) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of hemorrhagic shock. We examined the effects of aminoguanidine (AG), which is a known inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor, and NS-398, a known COX-2 inhibitor, in our rat model of refractory hemorrhagic shock (RHS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We measured tissue iNOS and COX-2 protein expression, brain and plasma nitrate/nitrite and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels, plasma creatinine and glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) levels, quantified the histological damages in kidney, liver, lung, and brain, survival rate, and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) in RHS rats. RESULTS: Semiquantitative analysis of tissues showed iNOS protein was not detected in AG + RHS rats but was detected in normal saline and NS-398 RHS rats. Tissue COX-2 protein was not detected in AG and NS-398 RHS rats but was detected in normal saline + RHS rats. The levels of brain and plasma nitrate/nitrite and PGE2 and plasma creatinine and GOT were significantly lower in the AG + RHS rat group when compared with the normal saline RHS rat group. Histological examinations also showed a reduction in organ damage for AG + RHS rats when compared with treated RHS rats. AG + RHS rats showed significantly increased survival and MABP level when compared with treated RHS rats. CONCLUSION: Our present findings suggest that NO produced by iNOS might result in organ damages. This in turn might lead to COX-2 up-regulation, and it increases the production of reactive oxygen species and toxic prostanoids. NO-mediated organ damage might be one way in which toxic products of COX-2 might further contribute to NO's deleterious effect in the later stages of RHS. It is therefore suggested that treatment of AG via inhibition of NO might contribute to improved physiological parameters and survival rates following RHS.     

Inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibition in cyclophosphamide induced hemorrhagic cystitis in rats

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an antineoplastic agent used alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of many neoplastic diseases. Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a major potential toxicity and dose limiting side effect of CP. Recently, it has been shown that endogenous inflammatory mediators are involved in cystitis by increasing nitric oxide (NO) production in target tissue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between NO and CP induced hemorrhagic cystitis HC in rats. A total of 30 female Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 served as control, three groups received single dose of CP (100 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p.): group 2 received CP only. Group 3 received the NO precursor L-arginine (80 mg/kg/day), and group 4 received the selective inducible NO synthase (iNOS) inhibitor S-methylisothiourea (SMT; 20 mg/kg/day) before and the day after cyclophosphamide injection. CP injection resulted in severe cystitis. SMT but not L-arginine produced marked inhibition of CP induced bladder damage. We concluded that NO produced by iNOS, is an important mediator in the pathogenesis of CP induced cystitis.     

Neuroprotection by selective inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase after experimental brain contusion

The inflammatory response is thought to be important for secondary damage following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) isoform is a mediator in inflammatory reactions and may catalyze substantial synthesis of NO in the injured brain. This study was undertaken to analyze neuronal degeneration and survival, cellular apoptosis and formation of nitrotyrosine following treatment with the iNOS-inhibitor L-N-iminoethyl-lysine (L-NIL) in a model of brain contusion. A brain contusion was produced using a weight-drop device in 30 rats. The animals received treatment with L-NIL or NaCl at 15 min and 12 h after the injury and were sacrificed at 24 h or 6 days after trauma. iNOS activity was measured at 24 h post-trauma by the conversion of L-[U- ( 14 )C]arginine to L-[U-( 14 )C]citrulline and immunohistochemistry for iNOS. Peroxynitrite formation was indirectly assessed by nitrotyrosine (NT) immunohistochemistry. Neuronal degeneration and survival were assessed by Fluoro-Jade (FJ) and NeuN stainings, and cellular death by TUNEL staining. iNOS activity but not iNOS immunoreactivity was significantly reduced in animals that received L-NIL. Neuronal degeneration (FJ) and NT immunoreactivity were significantly reduced at 24 h. Neuronal survival was unchanged at 24 h but increased at 6 days in L-NIL-treated animals. Cellular apoptosis of ED-1 and NeuN positive cells was significantly reduced following L-NIL treatment at 6 days after trauma. We demonstrated neuroprotection by selective inhibition of iNOS after trauma. L-NIL appeared to protect the injured brain by limiting peroxynitrite formation. Our findings support a putative harmful role of iNOS induction early after TBI.     

Dantrolene inhibits nitric oxide synthase in rat alveolar macrophages treated with lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ

Purpose  To examine the effects of dantrolene on nitric oxide (NO) production and on the activity and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (INOS) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus interferon-γ (IFNγ) in rat alveolar macrophages. Methods  Pulmonary alveolar macrophages isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats were used. After incubation of macrophages with dantrolene (1 to 100 μM) and LPS (1 μg·mml⁻¹) and IFN-γ ( 100 u·ml⁻¹) for 24 hr, the cell-free medium was removed for measuring the nitrite and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels by Griess reaction and ELISA kit, respectively. The harvested macrophages were also used to determine the activity of iNOS by using the conversion of [³H]-L-arginine to [³H]-L-citrulline method. Protein expression of iNOS was detected by Western blot analysis. Results  In rats alveolar macrophages, (1) dantrolene (1 to 100 μM) caused a dose-dependent suppression of the production of nitrite and TNF-α induced by LPS (1 μg·ml⁻¹) plus IFN-γ (100 u·ml⁻¹) and (ii) dantrolene (100 μM) inhibited the activity (by 37 ± 5%,P < 0.01 ) and protein expression (by 39 ± 12%,P < 0.01 ) of iNOS in response to LPS plus IFN-γ. Conclusion  Dantrolene inhibits NO production as well as the activity and expression of iNOS in alveolar macrophages treated with LPS plus IFN-γ, which may be associated with the reduction of TNF-α production.

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Résumé Objectif  évaluer les effets du dantrolène sur la production d’oxyde nitrique (NO) et sur l’activité et l’expression protéique de l’enzyme inductible synthétase de l’oxyde nitrique (iNOS) tel qu’induit par une lipopolysaccharide (LPS) associée à l’interféron-γ (IFN-γ) chez des macrophages alvéolaires de rat. Méthodes  Des macrophages alvéolaires pulmonaires isolés chez des rats Sprague-Dawley ont été utilisés. Après incubation durant 24h des macrophages avec du dantrolène (1–100·μm), de la LPS (1 μg·ml⁻¹) et de l’IFN-γ (1 μ·ml⁻¹), le liquide d’incubation a été retiré pour mesurer les nitrites et le facteur de nécrose tumorale-α (TNF-α) par la réaction de Griess et un kit Elisa, respectivement. Les macrophages récoltés après incubation ont aussi été utilisés pour déterminer l’activité de iNOS par la méthode utilisant la conversion de la³H-L-arginine en³H-L-citrulline. L’expression protéique de iNOS a été détectée par l’analyse Western blot. Résultats  Chez des macrophages alvéolaires de rat, le dantrolène (1–100 μm) cause une suppression proportionnelle à la dose de la production des nitrites et du TNF-α induit par LPS plus IFN-γ; le dantrolène (100 μm) inhibe aussi l’activité (par 37 ± 5%,P< 0,0l) et l’expression protéique (par 39 ± 12%,P< 0,0l) de iNOS ’ en réponse à LPS plus IFN-γ. Conclusion  Le dantrolène inhibe la production de NO ainsi que l’activité et l’expression de iNOS chez des macrophages alvéolaires traités avec LPS associé à IFN-γ, et ceci pourrait être associé à la réduction de la production de TNF-α.

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Supported by a grant of the Tri-service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. (TSGH-C87-49).     

Systemic hypotensive response to protamine following chronic inhibition of nitric oxide synthase in rats

PURPOSE: The aims of the present studies were to determine whether the systemic hypotensive response to protamine was modified in rats pre-treated for two weeks with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME), and to evaluate the inhibitory effect of heparin on the systemic hypotensive response to protamine in vivo. METHODS: Male rats were randomly assigned into four groups. Normal saline 12 microliters.day-1, D-NAME (an inactive enantiomer of L-NAME), 10 mg.kg-1, L-NAME, 1 or 10 mg.kg-1.day-1 i.p. was administered for two weeks and the haemodynamic changes were measured after protamine administration. In another experiment, male rats were assigned to two groups. In one, the heparin group, protamine was administered after heparin had been administered and in the other, protamine group, protamine alone was administered. RESULTS: L-NAME inhibited the decrease in systemic arterial pressure after protamine administration (P < 0.05), but D-NAME had no effect. Also, heparin reduced the decrease in systemic arterial pressure after protamine (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Nitric oxide is mainly responsible for mediation of the systemic hypotensive response to protamine which is also reduced by heparin.     

Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase prevents hyporesponsiveness to inhaled nitric oxide in lungs from endotoxin-challenged rats.

BACKGROUND: Inhalation of nitric oxide (NO) selectively dilates the pulmonary circulation and improves arterial oxygenation in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In approximately 60% of patients with septic ARDS, minimal or no response to inhaled NO is observed. Because sepsis is associated with increased NO production by inducible NO synthase (NOS2), the authors investigated whether NOS inhibition alters NO responsiveness in rats exposed to gram-negative lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 0.4 mg/kg Escherichia coli O111:B4 LPS with or without dexamethasone (inhibits NOS2 gene expression; 5 mg/kg), L-NAME (a nonselective NOS inhibitor; 7 mg/kg), or aminoguanidine (selective NOS2 inhibitor; 30 mg/kg). Sixteen hours after LPS treatment, lungs were isolated-perfused; a thromboxane-analog U46619 was added to increase pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) by 5 mmHg, and the pulmonary vasodilator response to inhaled NO was measured. RESULTS: Ventilation with 0.4, 4, and 40 ppm NO decreased the PAP less than in lungs of LPS-treated rats (0.75+/-0.25, 1.25+/-0.25, 1.75+/-0.25 mmHg) than in lungs of control rats (3+/-0.5, 4.25+/-0.25, 4.5+/-0.25 mmHg; P < 0.01). Dexamethasone treatment preserved pulmonary vascular responsiveness to NO in LPS-treated rats (3.75+/-0.25, 4.5+/-0.25, 4.5+/-0.5 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.01 vs. LPS, alone). Responsiveness to NO in LPS-challenged rats was also preserved by treatment with L-NAME (3.0+/-1.0, 4.0+/-1.0, 4.0+/-0.75 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.05 vs. LPS, alone) or aminoguanidine (1.75+/-0.25, 2.25+/-0.5, 2.75+/-0.5 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.05 vs. LPS, alone). In control rats, treatment with dexamethasone, L-NAME, and aminoguanidine had no effect on inhaled NO responsiveness. CONCLUSION: These observations demonstrate that LPS-mediated increases in pulmonary NOS2 are involved in decreasing responsiveness to inhaled NO.     

诱生型一氧化氮合酶选择性抑制剂对急性胰腺炎大鼠胰腺组织的影响

目的　探讨急性胰腺炎大鼠胰腺组织中诱生型一氧化氮合酶 (iNOS)选择性抑制剂(氨基胍 )对胰腺组织的影响。方法　分别测定各组胰腺组织中原生型一氧化氮合酶 (cNOS)和iN OS活性、一氧化氮 (NO)含量 ;观察各组胰腺组织病理变化 ,并对胰腺组织损伤进行评分。结果　与胰腺炎组比较 ,单用氨基胍可明显降低NO含量 [( 2 2 .4± 0 .3) μmol/g ,P <0 .0 5 ] ,而胰腺病理评分无降低 ( 8.8± 0 .6 ,P >0 .0 5 ) ,联合应用L 精氨酸不但可明显降低NO含量 [( 2 5 .6± 0 .4) μmol/g ,P <0 .0 5 ] ,并且胰腺病理评分明显降低 ( 6 .3± 1.4,P <0 .0 5 )。 结论　联合应用选择性iNOS抑制剂和NO供体 ,可降低胰腺组织中NO含量 ,并能改善胰腺组织病理损伤。     

The attenuation of hemorrhage-induced liver injury by exogenous nitric oxide, L-arginine, and inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase.

We investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO) in its ability to reduce liver injury in an animal model of hemorrhagic shock (HS). Ninety-six Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250 to 300 g were divided in 6 groups (n = 16 per group) that included treatment at the beginning of resuscitation with normal saline (groups 1, 3) sodium nitroprusside (NP) (0.5 mg/kg) (groups 2, 4) L-arginine (300 mg/kg) (group 5), and L-N6-(1-iminoethyl) lysine (L-NIL, 40 mg/kg) (group 6). The experimental model of HS consisted of the withdrawal of 3 mL blood per 100 g in a 15-min period, tail amputation (75%), and drug administration at 30 min. This was followed by fluid resuscitation (FR) with lactated Ringer's (LR) solution to reach a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 40 mm Hg, then a hospital phase of 60 min with hemostasis and FR with LR solution to reach a MAP of 70 mm Hg with a 3-day observation phase. NP, L-Arginine, and L-NIL significantly reduced fluid requirements for resuscitation (p =.0001) as well as significantly increased MAP after resuscitation from hemorrhage. We also observed an improved statistically significant difference (p =.001) in tests demonstrating less hepatic injury and histology damage. The mRNA expression of cytokines in the liver (interleukin [IL]-1alpha, IL-beta1, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]beta, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, TNFalpha, IL-2, interferon [IFN]gamma) was reduced by NP treatment, L-arginine, and L-NIL. These data suggest that excess NO mediates hemorrhage-induced liver injury and that the suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-generated NO bioavailability with the NO donor sodium nitroprusside may reduce the pathophysiologic consequences of severe hemorrhage. This effect could be possibly related to the scavenging of to superoxide radicals (O2-) or the blockade of the deleterious effects of TNF and other inflammatory cytokines. The protective action noted with L-arginine cannot be fully explained within the context of this article, although it could be most likely associated with the supplementation of eNOS-generated NO.     

Rat gastric injury after lipopolysaccharide: role of inducible nitric oxide synthase

BACKGROUND: Short-term treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) causes morphologic, but not macroscopic, gastric injury and decreases gastric injury caused by a subsequent challenge with a luminal irritant. This effect is abrogated by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibition. The effects of long-term treatment with LPS on gastric injury are unknown as is the role of iNOS. We hypothesized that LPS would cause macroscopic gastric injury at later time points through an iNOS-dependent pathway. METHODS: Conscious rats were given saline or LPS (1 or 20 mg/kg intraperitoneal) as a single intraperitoneal injection and killed 24 to 72 hours after injection. Macroscopic gastric injury (computerized planimetry), gastric luminal fluid volume and pH, and iNOS protein levels were assessed. RESULTS: When compared with saline, high-dose but not low-dose LPS caused macroscopic gastric injury, increased gastric luminal fluid and pH, and up-regulated iNOS at 24 and 48 hours. All assessments returned to baseline by 72 hours. Inhibition of iNOS with 1400W (1 mg/kg intraperitoneal) given 15 minutes before saline or LPS (20 mg/kg) attenuated the deleterious effects of LPS on gastric injury and pH, but not fluid accumulation. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that prolonged treatment with high-dose LPS causes gastric injury through an iNOS-mediated pathway.     

异丙酚对大鼠肺一氧化氮合酶活性的影响

目的 了解异丙酚对大鼠肺一氧化氮合酶(NOS)活性的影响,探讨异丙酚对肺血管、支气管扩张作用的机理。方法40只SD大鼠,随机分为异丙酚组(n=20)、对照组(n=20),分别腹腔注射等容积异丙酚(1ml·kg-1,即100mg·kg-1)和生理盐水(10ml·kg-1)。异丙酚组待鼠翻正反射消失后,经尾缘静脉泵以异丙酚10mg·kg-1·h-1,20min后处死,对照组鼠腹腔注射20min后处死。检测支气管肺泡灌洗液NO水平、肺组织匀浆中NOS酶活性、NO水平及内皮型NOS(eNOS)、神经型NOS(nNOS)在肺内的表达与分布(免疫组化法)。结果 异丙酚组支气管灌洗液和肺组织匀浆中NO水平均明显高于对照组(P<0.01),肺组织匀浆中NOS酶活性也明显大于对照组(P<0.01)。异丙酚组肺血管内皮细胞nNOS和eNOS、支气管粘膜上皮细胞nNOS染色表达强阳性。结论 异丙酚可以刺激肺中NOS活性,升高肺内内源性NO水平,在异丙酚的扩张肺血管、支气管中发挥一定的作用。     

The effect of selective inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase on cytochrome P450 after liver transplantation in a rat model

BACKGROUND: Activity levels of cytochrome P450 (CYP) provide markers for liver function and graft rejection episodes after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Some in vitro studies have shown decreased CYP activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in rejecting liver grafts. The aim of this study was to evaluate CYP isoenzyme activity changes in vivo and to examine histopathologic aspects during inhibition of iNOS after treatment with aminoguanidine (AG) using OLT in the rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty DA-(RT1av1) rats that served as donors and LEWIS-(RT(1)) rats as recipients were divided into three groups: group I (controls, syngeneic rats; n = 6), group II (allogeneic rats without immunosupression; n = 11), and group III (allogeneic rats with AG treatment; n = 13). On postoperative days 5, 8, and 10 we performed laboratory investigations and liver biopsies for histopathologic investigations. RESULTS: On postoperative day 5, activities of CYP-1A1 and -3A4 were significantly lower (P = .022) in group III and the activity of CYP-1A2 higher (P < .05) compared with group II. At postoperative days 8 and 10, the activities of all CYP isoenzymes were significant higher in AG-treated rats (group III) in contrast with group II after allogeneic OLT without immunosuppression. Histopathologic findings revealed less distinct rejection signs in group III specimens after AG treatment compared with group II. CONCLUSION: Summarizing our results, we concluded that AG treatment led to increased CYP activity and less distinction of graft rejection after OLT in rats.     

异丙酚对高血压大鼠胸主动脉内皮型一氧化氮合酶和诱导型一氧化氮合酶表达的影响

目的 评价异丙酚对高血压大鼠胸主动脉内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)和诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)表达的影响.方法 SD大鼠,雌雄各半,体重240～ 280 g,采用皮下注射去氧皮质酮的方法制备高血压模型,采用随机数字表法,将64只造模成功的大鼠随机分为4组(n＝16):高血压组(H组)、小剂量异丙酚组(P1组)、中剂量异丙酚组(P2组)和大剂量异丙酚组(P3组).P1组、P2组和P3组分别静脉输注异丙酚20、30、40 mg·kg-1·h-13 h,H组给予等容量生理盐水.分别于给药前、给药1h、3h时记录平均动脉压(MAP).给药3h时处死大鼠,摘眼球法采集血样,硝酸还原酶法测定血清一氧化氮(N0)浓度,取胸主动脉,采用RT-PCR和Western blot法测定eNOS mRNA、iNOS mRNA及其蛋白表达水平.结果 与H组比较,P1组、P2组和P3组给药3h时MAP降低,血清NO浓度升高,主动脉eNOS mRNA及其蛋白表达上调,主动脉iNOS mRNA及其蛋白表达下调,且呈剂量依赖性(P<0.05或0.01).结论 异丙酚降低高血压大鼠血压的机制与下调iNOS表达,上调血管内皮细胞eNOS表达,促进NO释放有关.     

The impact of endothelial nitric oxide synthase polymorphisms on long-term renal allograft outcome

A major manifestation of chronic allograft failure (CAF) is the accelerated onset of atherosclerotic lesions within the graft. Polymorphisms in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene have been implicated in the pathogenesis of native atherosclerosis. This study tested the hypothesis that polymorphisms in eNOS are associated with susceptibility to CAF after cadaveric renal transplantation. The patient cohort comprised 140 renal transplant recipients who had received their transplants between 1985 and 1997 at the Oxford Transplant Centre and included 61 patients with biopsy-proven CAF and 79 with stable graft function for at least 10 years (long-term survivors, LTS). Genotyping for one polymorphism in the promoter region and two polymorphisms in the coding regions of the eNOS gene was performed by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). No association was found between any genetic variant and the development of CAF, even after stratification for other known risk factors. Statistical analysis revealed that all three polymorphisms were closely linked. We conclude that recipient eNOS gene polymorphisms do not alter the risk of CAF after renal transplantation.     

Sevoflurane impairs cerebral blood flow autoregulation in rats: reversal by nonselective nitric oxide synthase inhibition

In this study, we investigated the effects of 1.0 and 2.0 minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration (MAC) sevoflurane on cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation before and after nonselective inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthase in rats. Rats were randomly assigned as follows: Group 1 (n = 8): 1.0 MAC sevoflurane; Groups 2 and 3 (n = 8 per group): 2.0 MAC sevoflurane. Assessment of autoregulation within a mean arterial blood pressure range of 140-60 mm Hg was performed by graded hemorrhage before and after administration of l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 30 mg/kg IV, Groups 1 and 2) or during hypocapnia (Group 3). In 10 additional animals, brain tissue NO(2)(-) concentrations were measured at 1.0 and 2.0 MAC sevoflurane. CBF autoregulation was maintained with 1.0 MAC sevoflurane (Group 1) regardless of NO synthase status indicating that CBF autoregulation might not be related to NO availability. Sevoflurane dose-dependently increased brain tissue NO(2)(-) and impaired CBF autoregulation. Administration of l-NAME (Group 2) but not hypocapnia (Group 3) restored CBF autoregulation. This suggests that sevoflurane impairs the autoregulatory capacity secondary to an increase of the perivascular NO availability and questions the importance of basal cerebrovascular tone in terms of vasodilatory capacity during hypotensive challenges. IMPLICATIONS: The present study suggests that the volatile anesthetic sevoflurane dose-dependently impairs cerebrovascular autoregulation by mechanisms secondary to increase of perivascular nitric oxide availability.     

Vitamin E alleviates renal injury, but not hypertension, during chronic nitric oxide synthase inhibition in rats.

Chronic nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibition in rats causes hypertension, renal vascular injury, and proteinuria. NO deficiency increases superoxide (O(2)(-)) activity, but the effects of antioxidant treatment on renal injury have not been studied in this model. Exposure of rats to N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) for 4 d markedly decreased NO-dependent relaxation in aortic rings and increased glomerular and renal interstitial monocyte influx, but renal O(2)(-) activity was not increased. After 7 d, BP and proteinuria were significantly increased. After 21 d of L-NNA treatment, rats displayed severe hypertension, decreased GFR, marked proteinuria, glomerular ischemia, renal vascular and tubulointerstitial injury, and complete loss of NO-dependent relaxation. Renal O(2)(-) activity was markedly increased [lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (LEC), 279 +/- 71 versus 50 +/- 7 counts/10 mg, P < 0.01; electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, 0.57 +/- 0.05 versus 0.34 +/- 0.04 U/10 mg, P < 0.05]. Apocynin, a specific inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, and diphenyleneiodonium, an inhibitor of flavin-containing enzymes, completely inhibited LEC signals in vitro, whereas allopurinol had no effect, indicating that NAD(P)H oxidase plays a major role in superoxide production in the kidney. Endothelial function remained impaired during cotreatment with alpha-tocopherol and there was no effect on hypertension or tubulointerstitial injury, but glomerular ischemia, decreases in GFR, and renal vascular injury were prevented and proteinuria was ameliorated. Renal LEC signals were intermediate between control and L-NNA-alone values (181 +/- 84 counts/10 mg). Chronic NO synthase inhibition in rats results in marked increases in renal cortical O(2)(-) activity, mediated by flavin-dependent oxidases. The absence of early increases in renal O(2)(-) activity, in the presence of endothelial dysfunction and macrophage influx, indicates that increased renal O(2)(-) activity is neither attributable to NO deficiency per se nor solely related to macrophage influx. The improvement of glomerular function and amelioration of renal vasculitis and proteinuria with vitamin E cotreatment indicate that oxidants are involved in the pathogenesis of renal injury in this model. However, markedly impaired endothelial function and unabated hypertension persist with vitamin E treatment and seem to be directly attributable to NO deficiency.     

Effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on bone formation in rats

NO is synthesized from -arginine by at least three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and is known to function as a vasodilator and neurotransmitter. NO is produced by bone cells but its function in bone biology is, as yet, unclear. We hypothesized that NOS mediates bone formation in remodeling regions of the skeleton. We studied the effects of two NOS inhibitors: N^G-nitro- -arginine methyl ester ( -NAME), which is a general inhibitor of NOS activity and is known to inhibit the vasodilatory effects of the endothelial NOS (eNOS) isoform; and aminoguanidine, which is a selective inhibitor of the inducible NOS (iNOS) isoform. Our hypothesis was tested by treating rats with NOS inhibitors and measuring bone formation rates in the tibial epiphysis and diaphysis. Bone formation indices were measured using standard bone histomorphometry. -NAME treatment significantly raised mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). This effect was partially reversed by addition of -arginine. Aminoguanidine had no significant effect on MAP, indicating that it did not block eNOS. The treatments also had substantial effects on bone formation in remodeling trabecular bone. -NAME did not significantly change trabecular bone formation rate, whereas aminoguanidine reduced bone formation rate in the tibial epiphysis by 79% compared with control. This reduction was completely reversed by -arginine, suggesting that bone formation during remodeling is, in part, mediated through -arginine metabolism. No effect of aminoguanidine on bone formation was seen in the tibial diaphysis, a site that undergoes minimal bone remodeling. This finding suggests that the -arginine-NO pathway is important in bone remodeling.