Increased hepatic expression of nitric oxide synthase type Ⅱ in cirrhotic rats

AIM: To determine the role and effect of nitric oxide synthase type Ⅱ (NOSII) in cirrhotic rats.METHODS: Expression of NOSⅡ mRNA was detected by real time RT-PCR. The activity of nitric oxide synthase and serum levels of NO, systemic and portal hemodynamics and degrees of cirrhosis were measured with high sensitive methods. Chinese traditional medicine tetrandrine was used to treat cirrhotic rats and to evaluate the function of NO.Double-blind method was applied during the experiment.RESULTS: The concentration of NO and the activity of NOS were increased markedly at all stages of cirrhosis, and iNOSmRNA was greatly expressed. Meanwhile the portalvenous-pressure (PVP), and portal-venous-flow (PVF) were significantly increased. NO, NOS and iNOSmRNA were positively correlated to the quantity of hepatic fibrosis.Tetrandrine significantly inhibited NO production and the expression of iNOSmRNA.CONCLUSION: Increased hepatic expression of NOSII is one of the important causes of hepatic cirrhosis and portal hypertension.     

Increased hepatic expression of nitric oxide synthase type Ⅱ in cirrhotic rats

AIM:To determine the role and effect of nitric oxide synthasetype Ⅱ(NOSⅡ) in cirrhotic rats.METHODS:Expression of NOSⅡ mRNA was detected byreal time RT-PCR.The activity of nitric oxide synthase andserum levels of NO,systemic and portal hemodynamicsand degrees of cirrhosis were measured with high sensitivemethods.Chinese traditional medicine tetrandrine was usedto treat cirrhotic rats and to evaluate the function of NO.Double-blind method was applied during the experiment.RESULTS:The concentration of NO and the activity of NOSwere increased markedly at all stages of cirrhosis,andiNOSmRNA was greatly expressed.Meanwhile the portal-venous-pressure (PVP),and portal-venous-flow (PVF) weresignificantly increased.NO,NOS and iNOSmRNA werepositively correlated to the quantity of hepatic fibrosis.Tetrandrine significantly inhibited NO production and theexpression of iNOSmRNA.CONCLUSION:Increased hepatic expression of NOSⅡ isone of the important causes of hepatic cirrhosis and portalhypertension.     

Intestinal endotoxemia plays a central role in development of hepatopulmonary syndrome in a cirrhotic rat model induced by multiple pathogenic factors

AIM： To characterize the correlation between severity of hepatopulmonary syndrome （HPS） and degree of hepatic dysfunction, and to explore how intestinal endotoxemia （IETM） affects the development of HPS in cirrhotic rats.
METHODS： Male Wister rats were fed with a diet containing maize flour, lard, cholesterol, and alcohol and injected subcutaneously with CCl4 oil solution every two days for 8 wk to induce typical cirrhosis and development of HPS. The animals were also given a nitric oxide （NO） production inhibitor, N^ω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester （L-NAME） intraperitoneally, and an iNOS inhibitor, aminoguanidine hydrochloride （AG） via gavage daily from the end of the 4th wk to the end of the 6th or 8th wk, or a HO-1 inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin （ZnPP） intraperitoneally 12 h prior to killing. Blood, liver and lung tissues were sampled.
RESULTS： Histological deterioration of the lung paralleled to that of the liver in the cirrhotic rats. The number of pulmonary capillaries was progressively increased from 6.1 ± 1.1 （count/filed） at the 4th wk to 14.5 ± 2.4 （count/filed） at the 8th wk in the cirrhotic rats. Increased pulmonary capillaries were associated with increased blood levels of lipopolysaccharide （LPS） （0.31 ± 0.08 EU/mL vs control 0.09 ± 0.03 EU/mL）, alanine transferase （ALT, 219.1 ± 17.4 U/L vs control 5.9 ± 2.2 U/L） and portal vein pressure. Compared with normal control animals, the number of total cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） of the cirrhotic rats at the 8th wk was not changed, but the number of macrophages and the ratio of macrophages to total cells were increased by nearly 2-fold, protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） and endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS） started to increase significantly at the 4th wk, and reached its peak at the 8th wk in the lung of cirrhotic rats. The increase of iNOS expression appeared to be quicker than that of eNOS. NO2^-/NO3^- was also increased, which was cor     

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase regulation is altered in pancreas from cirrhotic rats

AIM: To determine whether biliary cirrhosis could induce pancreatic dysfunction such as modifications in endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) expression and whether the regulation of eNOS could be altered by the regulatory proteins caveolin and heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), as well as by the modifications of calmodulin binding to eNOS. METHODS: Immunoprecipitations and Western blotting analysis were performed in pancreas isolated from sham and cirrhotic rats. RESULTS: Pancreatic injury was minor in cirrhotic rats but eNOS expression importantly decreased with the length (and the severity) of the disease. Because co-immunoprecipitation of eNOS with both Hsp90 and caveolin similarly decreased in cirrhotic rats, eNOS activity was not modified by this mechanism. In contrast, cirrhosis decreased the calmodulin binding to eNOS with a concomitant decrease in eNOS activity. CONCLUSION: In biliary cirrhosis, pancreatic injury is minor but the pancreatic nitric oxide (NO) production is significantly decreased by two mechanisms: a decreased expression of the enzyme and a decreased binding of calmodulin to eNOS.     

Effects of tumor necrosis factor,endothelin and nitric oxide on hyperdynamic circulation of rats with acute and chronic portal hypertension

AIM:To evaluate the effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF),endothelin (ET) and nitric oxide (NO) on hyperdynamiccirculation (HC) of rats with acute and chronic portalhypertension (PHT).METHODS:Chronic portal hypertension was induced inWistar rats by injection of carbon tetrachloride.After twoweeks of cirrhosis formation,L-NMMA (25mg/kg) wasinjected into one group of cirrhotic rats via femoral vein andthe experiment was begun immediately.Another group ofcirrhotic rats was injected with anti-rat TNFα (300mg/kg)via abdominal cavity twice within 48h and the experimentwas performed 24h after the second injection.The bloodconcentrations of TNFα,ET-1 and NO in portal vein and thenitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in hepatic tissue weredetermined pre-and post-injection of anti-rat TNFα or L-NMMA.Stroke volume (SV),cardiac output (CO),portalpressure (PP),superior mesenteric artery blood flow (SMAflow) and lilac artery blood flow (IAflow) were measuredsimultaneously.Acute portal hypertension was establishedin Wistar rats by partial portal-vein ligation (PVL).Theparameters mentioned above were determined at 0.5h,24h,48h,72h and 120h after PVL.After the formation ofstable PHT,the PVL rats were injected with anti-rat TNFα orL-NMMA according to different groups,the parametersmentioned above were also determined.RESULTS:In cirrhotic rats,the blood levels of TNFα,NO inportal vein and the liver NOS activity were significantlyincreased (P<0.05) while the blood level of ET-1 was notstatistically different (P>0.05) from the control animals(477.67±83.81pg/mL vs48.87±32.79pg/mL,278.41±20.11μmol/L vs 113.28±14.51μmol/L,1.81±0.06u/mg·prot vs0.87±0.03u/mg·prot and 14.33±4.42pg/mL vs 8.72±0.79pg/mL,respectively).After injection of anti-rat TNFα,the blood level of TNFα was lower than that in controls(15.17±18.79pg/mL vs48.87±32.79pg/mL).The blood level of NO and the liver NOS activity were significantlydecreased,but still higher than those of the controls.Theblood level of ET-1 was not significantly changed.PP,SV,CO,SMAflow and IAflow were ameliorated.After injectionof L-NMMA,the blood level of NO and the liver NOS activitywere recovered to those of the controls.PP and CO werealso recovered to those of the controls.SV,SMAflow andIAflow were ameliorated.In PVL rats,the blood levels ofTNFα,NO in portal vein and the liver NOS activity weregradually increased and reached the highest levels at 48hafter PVL.The blood level of ET-1 among different stagedanimals was not significantly different from the controlanimals.PP among different staged animals (2.4±0.18kPaat 0.5h,1.56±0.08kPa at 24h,1.74±0.1kPa at 48h,2.38±0.05kPa at 72h,2.39±0.16kPa at 120h) wassignificantly higher than that in controls (0.9±0.16kPa).Afterinjection of anti-rat TNFα in 72h PVL rats,the blood level ofTNFα was lower than that in controls (14±14pg/mL vs48.87±32.79pg/mL).The blood level of NO and the liverNOS activity were significantly decreased,but still higherthan those of the controls.The blood level of ET-1 was notsignificantly changed.PP was decreased from 2.38±0.05kPato 1.68±0.12kPa,but significantly higher than that incontrols.SV,CO,SMAflow and IAflow were ameliorated.After injection of L-NMMA in 72h PVL rats,the blood levelof NO and the liver NOS activity were recovered to those ofthe controls.PP,SV,CO,SMAflow and IAflow were alsorecovered to those of the controls.CONCLUSION:NO plays a critical role in the developmentand maintenance of HC in acute PHT and is a key factor formaintenance of HC in chronic PHT.TNFα may not participatein the hemodynamic changes of HC directly,while play anindirect role by inducing the production of NO throughactivating NOS.No evidence that circulating ET-1 plays arole in both models of portal hypertension has been found.     

Role of nitric oxide in the impairment of circular muscle contractility of distended, uninflamed mid-colon in TNBS-induced acute distal colitis in rats

AIM: To evaluate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the motor disorders of the dilated uninflamed mid-colon (DUMC) from trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced acute distal colitis in rats. METHODS: Colitis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by a single intracolonic administration of TNBS. Control rats received an enema of 0.9% saline. The rats were killed 48 h after TNBS or saline administration. Macroscopic and histologic lesions of the colon were evaluated. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity were measured on the colonic tissue. In TNBS rats, we evaluated spontaneous and evoked contractile activity in circular muscle strips derived from DUMC in comparison to the same colonic segment of control rats, both in the presence and in the absence of a non-selective NOS isoforms inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA). Pharmacological characterization of electric field stimulation (EFS)-evoked contractile responses was also performed. RESULTS: In TNBS rats, the distal colon showed severe histological lesions and a high MPO activity, while the DUMC exhibited normal histology and MPO activity. Constitutive NOS activity was similar in TNBS and control rats, whereas inducible NOS activity was significantly increased only in the injured distal colon of TNBS rats. Isometrically recorded mechanical activity of circular muscle strips from DUMC of TNBS rats showed a marked reduction of the force and frequency of spontaneous contractions compared to controls, as well as of the contractile responses to a contracting stimulus. In the presence of L-NNA, the contractile activity and responses displayed a significantly greater enhancement compared to controls. The pharmacological characterization of EFS contractile responses showed that a cooperative-like interaction between cholinergic muscarinic and tachykinergic neurokinin 1 and 2 receptors mediated transmission in DUMC of TNBS rats vs a simple additive interaction in controls. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that, during TNBS-induced acute distal colitis, circular muscle intrinsic contractile mechanisms and possible enteric neural excitatory activity are inhibited in the distended uninfiamed mid-colon. Suppression of NO synthesis markedly improves spontaneous and evokes muscle contractions, in spite of any evident change in local NO activity.     

Role of sex hormones in gastrointestinal motility in pregnant and non-pregnant rats

AIM: To correlate gastric contractility, gastrointestinal transit, and hormone levels in non-pregnant(estrous cycle) and pregnant rats using noninvasive techniques. METHODS: Female rats(n = 23) were randomly divided into(1) non-pregnant,(contractility, n =6; transit, n = 6); and(2) pregnant(contractility, n = 5; transit, n = 6). In each estrous cycle phase or at 0, 7, 14, and 20 d after the confirmation of pregnancy, gastrointestinal transit was recorded by AC biosusceptometry(ACB), and gastric contractility was recorded by ACB and electromyography. After each recording, blood samples were obtained for progesterone and estradiol determination. RESULTS: In the estrous cycle, despite fluctuations of sex hormone levels, no significant changes in gastrointestinal motility were observed. Days 7 and 14 of pregnancy were characterized by significant changes in the frequency of contractions(3.90 ± 0.42 cpm and 3.60 ± 0.36 cpm vs 4.33 ± 0.25 cpm) and gastric emptying(168 ± 17 min and 165 ± 15 min vs 113 ± 15 min) compared with day 0. On these same days, progesterone levels significantly increased compared with control(54.23 ± 15.14 ng/m L and 129.96 ± 30.52 ng/mL vs 13.25 ± 6.31 ng/mL). On day 14, we observed the highest level of progesterone and the lowest level of estradiol compared with day 0(44.3 ± 15.18 pg/mL vs 24.96 ± 5.96 pg/mL). CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal motility was unaffected by the estrous cycle. In our data, high progesterone and low estradiol levels can be associated with decreased contraction frequency and slow gastric emptying.     

Effects of acupuncturing Tsusanli （ST36） on expression of nitric oxide synthase in hypothalamus and adrenal gland in rats with cold stress ulcer

AIM: To study the protective effect of acupuncturing Tsusanli (ST36) on cold stress ulcer, and the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in hypothalamus and adrenal gland. METHODS: Ulcer index in rats and RT-PCR were used to study the protective effect of acupuncture on cold stress ulcer, and the expression of NOS in hypothalamus and adrenal gland. Images were analyzed with semi-quantitative method. RESULTS: The ulcer index significantly decreased in rats with stress ulcer. Plasma cortisol concentration was up regulated during cold stress, which could be depressed by pre-acupuncture. The expression of NOS1 in hypothalamus increased after acupuncture. The increased expression of NOS2 was related with stress ulcer, which could be decreased by acupuncture. The expression of NOS3 in hypothalamus was similar to NOS2, but the effect of acupuncture was limited. The expression of NOS2 and NOS3 in adrenal gland increased after cold stress, only the expression of NOS1 could be repressed with acupuncture. There was no NOS2 expression in adrenal gland in rats with stress ulcer. CONCLUSION: The protective effect of acupuncturing Tsusanli (ST36) on the expression of NOS in hypothalamus and adrenal gland can be achieved.     

Effect of lipopolysaccharide on diarrhea and gastrointestinal transit in mice： Roles of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2

AIM: To investigate the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the diarrheogenic activity, gastrointestinal transit (GIT), and intestinal fluid content and the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in gastrointestinal functions of endotoxin-treated mice. METHODS: Diarrheogic activity, GIT, and intestinal fluid content as well as nitric oxide and PGE2 products were measured after intraperitoneal administration of LPS in mice. RESULTS: LPS dose-dependently accumulated abundant fluid into the small intestine, induced diarrhea, but decreased the GIT. Both nitric oxide and PGE2 were found to increase in LPS-treated mice. Western blot analysis indicated that LPS significantly induced the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 in mice intestines. Pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME, a non-selective NOS inhibitor) or indomethacin (an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis) significantly attenuated the effects of LPS on the diarrheogenic activity and intestine content, but reversed the GIT. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that the pathogenesis of LPS treatment may mediate the stimulatory effect of LPS on nitric oxide and PGE2 production and NO/ prostaglandin pathway may play an important role on gastrointestinal function.     

Effects of tumor necrosis factor, endothelin and nitric oxide on hyperdynamic circulation of rats with acute and chronic portal hypertension

AIM:To evaluate the effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF),endothelin (ET) and nitric oxide (NO) on hyperdynamic circulation (HC) of rats with acute and chronic portal hypertension (PHT).METHODS: Chronic portal hypertension was induced in Wistar rats by injection of carbon tetrachloride. After two weeks of cirrhosis formation, L-NMMA (25mg/kg) was injected into one group of cirrhotic rats via femoral vein and the experiment was begun immediately. Another group of cirrhotic rats was injected with anti-rat TNFα (300mg/kg) via abdominal cavity twice within 48h and the experiment was performed 24h after the second injection. The blood concentrations of TNFα, ET-1 and NO in portal vein and the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in hepatic tissue were determined pre-and post-injection of anti-rat TNFα or LNMMA. Stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), portal pressure (PP), superior mesenteric artery blood flow (SMA flow) and lilac artery blood flow (IAflow) were measured simultaneously. Acute portal hypertension was established in Wistar rats by partial portal-vein ligation (PVL). The parameters mentioned above were determined at 0.5h,24h, 48h, 72h and 120h after PVL. After the formation of stable PHT, the PVL rats were injected with anti-rat TNFα or L-NMMA according to different groups, the parameters mentioned above were also determined.RESULTS:In cirrhotic rats, the blood levels of TNFα, NO in portal vein and the liver NOS activity were significantly increased (P&lt;0.05) while the blood level of ET-1 was not statistically different (P&gt;0.05) from the control animals(477.67&#177;83.81pg/mL vs 48.87&#177;32.79pg/mL, 278.41&#177;20.11μmol/L vs 113.28&#177;14.51μmol/L, 1.81&#177;0.06μ/mg.prot vs 0.87&#177;0.03μ/mg.prot and 14.33&#177;4.42pg/mL vs8.72&#177;0.79pg/mL, respectively). After injection of anti-rat TNFα,the blood level of TNFα was lower than that in controls (15.17&#177;18.79pg/mL vs 48.87&#177;32.79pg/mL). The blood level of NO and the liver NOS activity were significantly decreased, but still higher than those of the controls. The blood level of ET-1 was not significantly changed. PP,SV,CO, SMAflow and IAflow were ameliorated. After injection of L-NMMA, the blood level of NO and the liver NOS activity were recovered to those of the controls. PP and CO were also recovered to those of the controls. SV, SMAflow and IAflow were ameliorated. In PVL rats, the blood levels of TNFα NO in portal vein and the liver NOS activity were gradually increased and reached the highest levels at 48h after PVL. The blood level of ET-1 among different staged animals was not significantly different from the control animals. PP among different staged animals (2.4&#177;0.18kPa at 0.5h, 1.56&#177;0.08kPa at 24h, 1.74&#177;0.1kPa at 48h,2.38&#177;0.05 kPa at 72h, 2.39&#177;0.16 kPa at 120h) was significantly higher than that in controls (0.9&#177;0.16kPa). After injection of anti-rat TNFα in 72h PVL rats, the blood level of TNFα was lower than that in controls (14&#177;14pg/mL vs 48.87&#177;32.79pg/mL). The blood level of NO and the liver NOS activity were significantly decreased, but still higher than those of the controls. The blood level of ET-1 was not significantly changed. PP was decreased from 2.38&#177;0.05kPa to 1.68&#177;0.12kPa, but significantly higher than that in controls. SV, CO, SMAflow and IAflow were ameliorated.After injection of L-NMMA in 72h PVL rats, the blood level of NO and the liver NOS activity were recovered to those of the controls. PP, SV, CO, SMAflow and IAflow were also recovered to those of the controls.CONCLUSION:NO plays a critical role in the development and maintenance of HC in acute PHT and is a key factor for maintenance of HC in chronic PHT. TNFα may not participate in the hemodynamic changes of HC directly, while play an indirect role by inducing the production of NO through activating NOS. No evidence that circulating ET-1 plays a role in both models of portal hypertension has been found.     

Gender differences in hepatic ischemic reperfusion injury in rats are associated with endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase-derived nitric oxide

AIM: This study was designed to examine the hypothesis that gender differences in I/R injury are associated with endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-derived nitric oxide (NO). METHODS: Wistar rats were randomized into seven experimental groups (12 animals per group). Except for the sham operated groups, all rats were subjected to total liver ischemia for 40 min followed by reperfusion. All experimental groups received different treatments 45 min before the laparotomy. For each group, half of the animals (six) were used to investigate the survival; blood samples and liver tissues were obtained in the remaining six animals after 3 h of reperfusion to assess serum NO, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and TNF-α levels, liver tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and severity of hepatic I/R injury. RESULTS: Basal serum NO levels in female sham operated (FS) group were nearly 1.5-fold of male sham operated (MS) group (66.7±11.0 μmol/L vs45.3μ10.1 μmol/L, P<0.01). Although serum NO levels decreased significantly after hepatic I/R (P<0.01, vs sham operated groups), they were still significantly higher in female rat (F) group than in male rat (M) group (47.8±8.6 μmol/L vs 23.8±4.7 μmol/L, P<0.01). Serum ALT and TNF-α levels, and liver tissue MDA content were significantly lower in F group than in M group (370.5±46.4 U/L, 0.99±0.11 μg/L and 0.57±0.10 μmol/g vs668.7±78.7 U/L, 1.71±0.18μg/L and 0.86±0.11 μmol/g, respectively, P<0.01). I/R induced significant injury to the liver both in M and F groups (P<0.01 vs sham operated groups). But the degree of hepatocyte injury was significantly milder in F group than in M group (P<0.05 and P<0.01). The median survival time was six days in F group and one day in M group. The overall survival rate was significantly higher in F group than in M group (P<0.05). When compared with male rats pretreated with saline (M group), pretreatment of male rats with 17-β-estradiol (E2) (M+E2 group) significantly increased serum NO levels and significantly decreased serum ALT and TNF-α levels, and liver tissue MDA content after I/R (P<0.01). The degree of hepatocyte injury was significantly decreased and the overall survival rate was significantly improved in M+E2 group than in M group (P<0.01 and P<0.05). The NOS inhibitor Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) treatment could completely abolish the protective effects of estrogen in both male and female rats. CONCLUSION: The protective effects afforded to female rats subjected to hepatic I/R are associated with eNOS-derived NO.     

维生素E对糖尿病大鼠肾脏的保护作用

目的探讨维生素E对糖尿病大鼠肾脏保护作用及其可能机制。方法实验动物分为正常对照组、链脲佐菌素诱导的糖尿病未治疗组、糖尿病给予维生素E（20mg.kg-1.d-1）治疗组,共观察8周。测定尿白蛋白排泄量(UAE),内生肌酐清除率（Ccr）、血浆及肾脏组织一氧化氮（NO）、一氧化氮合成酶（NOS）、内皮素（ET）和肾小球蛋白激酶C（PKC）。结果2周时糖尿病未治疗组Ccr［(6.47±1.51)ml·min-1·kg-1］、尿白蛋白排泄量［(15.60±1.64)μg/24h］、NO［(37.30±3.77)μmol/L］、NOS［(34.89±3.83)U/L］及肾小球细胞膜PKC［(86.85±11.37)pmol·min-1·mgprotein-1］明显高于对照组,ET低于对照组。8周时糖尿病大鼠肾小球细胞膜PKC［(84.18±12.14)pmol·min-1·mgprotein-1］仍明显高于对照组,但NO［(22.75±2.89)μmol/L］及NOS［(21.34±1.92)U/L］低于对照组,ET高于对照组。给予维生素E治疗组8周时,Ccr［(4.46±0.49)ml·min-1·kg-1］及尿白蛋白量［(16.31±1.12)μg/24h］显著低于未治疗组,8周时肾小球细胞膜PKC［(65.19±8.83)pmol·min-1·mgprotein-1］,2周时NO［(33.13±3.77)μmol/L］及NOS［(30.16±2.89)U/L］明显低于未治疗组,维生素E治疗组2周时与8周时的NO及NOS下降幅度明显小于未治疗组。结论维生素E通过抑制蛋白激酶C可以纠正糖尿病早期的肾脏高滤过、高灌注,并与抑制肾脏NO合成有关,抑制蛋白激酶C活性对糖尿病肾病防治尤为重要。     

Carvedilol action is dependent on endogenous production of nitric oxide

BACKGROUND: Carvedilol is known to be an adrenoreceptor blocker and free radical scavenger, used in hypertension and cardiac failure. However, its therapeutic actions cannot be fully explained by these mechanisms. In these studies, we tested the hypothesis that carvedilol action is associated with the synthesis/release of nitric oxide (NO). METHODS: Male Wistar rats (n = 22), 9 weeks old, were anesthetized with an intraperitoneal injection of sodium pentobarbital. Mean arterial pressure and arterial NO levels were monitored throughout the experiments. Carvedilol (1 mg/kg, intravenously [iv]) effects were evaluated before and after NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 5 mg/kg, iv). RESULTS: Carvedilol induced a significant decrease in basal arterial pressure (from 126.6 +/- 4.3 mm Hg to 75.9 +/- 3.0 mm Hg, P < .001) and significant increase in NO levels (from 17.9 +/- 1.7 micromol/L to 32.2 +/- 2.5 micromol/L, P < .001). After administration of L-NAME the arterial pressure increased (129.9 +/- 5.0 mm Hg, P < .001) with concomitant decrease in NO levels (13.4 +/- 1.6 micromol/L, P < .01). The second carvedilol administration (post-L-NAME) did not affect either arterial pressure (108.3 +/- 8.0 mm Hg) or NO levels (22.1 +/- 1.3 micromol/L). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the carvedilol-induced decrease of blood pressure is associated with an increase of plasma NO levels. Furthermore, NOS inhibition results in impairment of carvedilol hemodynamic effects and plasma NO levels. Therefore, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that the hemodynamic effect of carvedilol is in part dependent on endogenous NO production.     

Effects of L-arginine on serum nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthase and mucosal Na^＋-K^＋-ATPase and nitric oxide synthase activity in segmental small-bowel autotransplantation model

AIM:To explore a simple method to create intestinal autotransplantation in rats and growing pigs and to investigate the effect of L-arginine supplementation on serum nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and intestinal mucosal NOS and Na+-K+-ATPase activity during cold ischemia-reperfusion (IR) in growing pigs. METHODS: In adult Wistar rat models of small bowel autotransplantation, a fine tube was inserted into mesenteric artery via the abdominal aorta. The superior mesenteric artery and vein were occluded. Isolated terminal ileum segment was irrigated with Ringer's solution at 4℃ and preserved in the same solution at 0-4℃ for 60 min. Then, the tube was removed and reperfusion was established. In growing pig models, a terminal ileum segment, 50 cm in length, was isolated and its mesenteric artery was irrigated via a needle with lactated Ringer's solution at 4℃. The method and period of cold preservation and reperfusion were described above. Ten white outbred pigs were randomly divided into control group and experimental group. L-arginine (150 mg/kg) was continuously infused for 15 min before reperfusion and for 30 min after reperfusion in the experimental group. One, 24, 48, and 72 h after reperfusion, peripheral vein blood was respectively collected for NO and NOS determination. At the same time point, intestinal mucosae were also obtained for NOS and Na+-K+-ATPase activity measurement. RESULTS: In adult rat models, 16 of 20 rats sustained the procedure, three died of hemorrhage shock and one of deep anesthesia. In growing pig models, the viability of small bowel graft remained for 72 h after cold IR in eight of 10 pigs. In experimental group, serum NO level at 1 and 24 h after reperfusion increased significantly when compared with control group at the same time point (152.2±61.4μmol/L /s60.8±31.6μmol/L, t=2.802, P=0.02<0.05; 82.2±24.0μmol/L vs 54.0±24.3μmol/L, t=2.490, P=0.04<0.05). Serum NO level increased significantly at 1 h post-reperfusion when compared with the same group before cold IR, 24 and 48 h post-reperfusion (152.2±61.4μmol/L vs 75.6±16.2μmol/L,t=2.820, P=0.02<0.05,82.2±24.0μmol/L,t=2.760, P= 0.03<0.05, 74.2±21.9μmol/L, t=2.822, P= 0.02<0.05). Serum NOS activity at each time point had no significant difference between two groups. In experimental group, intestinal mucosal NOS activity at 1 h post-reperfusion reduced significantly when compared with pre-cold IR (0.79±0.04 U/mg vs 0.46±0.12 U/mg, t = 3.460, P= 0.009<0.01). Mucosal NOS activity at 24, 48, and 72 h post-reperfusion also reduced significantly when compared with pre-cold IR (0.79±0.04 U/mg vs 0.57±0.14 U/mg, t= 2.380, P=0.04 <0.05, 0.61±0.11 U/mg, t= 2.309, P = 0.04<0.05, 0.63±0.12U/mg, t = 2.307, P= 0.04<0.05). In control group, mucosal NOS activity at 1 and 24 h post-reperfusion was significantly lower than that in pre-cold IR (0.72±0.12 U/mg vs 0.60±0.07 U/mg, t= 2.320, P= 0.04<0.05, 0.58±0.18 U/mg, t=2.310, P= 0.04<0.05). When compared to the normal value, Na+-K+-ATPase activity increased significantly at 48 and 72 h post-reperfusion in experimental group (2.48±0.59μmol/mg vs 3.89±1.43μmol/mg, t=3.202, P= 0.04<0.05, 3.96±0.86μmol/mg, t=3.401, P= 0.009 <0.01) and control group (2.48±0.59μmol/mg vs 3.58±0.76 μmol/mg, t=2.489, P= 0.04<0.05, 3.67±0.81μmol/mg, t= 2.542, P= 0.03<0.05). CONCLUSION: This novel technique for intestinal autotransplantation provides a potentially consistent and practical model for experimental studies of graft cold preservation. L-arginine supplementation during cold IR may act as a useful adjunct to preserve the grafted intestine.     

Effects of nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor in long-term treatment onhyperdynamic circulatory state in cirrhotic rats

AIM To investigate the effects of low dosage of nitric oxide synthesis (NOS) inhibitor NG-nitro-L-argininemethyl ester (L-NAME) in long-term treatment on hyperdynamic circulatory state in rats with cirrhosis.METHODS Cirrhosis model was induced in male SD rats by injection of 60% CC14 oily solutionsubcutaneously. Cirrhotic rats were treated with L-NAME (0.5 mg·kg-1·d-1) by gavage for two weeks. Meanarterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), splanchnic vascular resistance (SVR),splanchnic blood flow (SBF) and serum NO levels were determinded in L-NAME-treated, L-NAME-untreated cirrhotic rats and controls by using 57Co-Labled microsphere technique and a fluorometric assay,respectively.RESULTS Untreated cirrhotic rats had significantly lower MAP, SVR and higher PP, CO, CI, SBF andNO concentration than controls ( 14.42±0,47 kPa vs 17.05±0.34 kPa, 2.974±0.186 kPa·mL-1·min-1 vs4.234±0.118 kPa·mL-1·min-1, 1.665±0.067 kPa vs 1.123±0.096 kPa, 189.99±9.26 mL/min vs 135.5±3.55 mL/min, 55.89±1.82 mL-1·min-1·100g-1 BW vs 39.68±1.64 mL-1·min-1·100g-1 BW, 4.60±1.25μmol/L vs 0.53±0.26 μmol/L, P<0.01, respectively). In treated cirrhotic rats, L-NAME significantlyattenuated the increase of CO, CI, SBF, NO concentration and the decrease of MAP and SVR. In treatedcirrhotic rats, L-NAME induced a marked decrement of NO concentration than untreated cirrhotic rats(1.471 ±0.907 μmol/L vs 4.204±1.253 μmol/L, P<0.01).CONCLUSION The endogenous NO may play an important role in the changes of hemodynamics pattern incirrhosis,and hyperdynamic circulatory state in rats with cirrhosis can be ameliorated by long-term low doseL-NAME treatment.     

一氧化氮在肝硬化大鼠睾丸功能障碍发生中的作用

目的探讨一氧化氮(NO)在肝硬化睾丸功能障碍发生中的作用. 方法采用胆管结扎(BDL)复制肝硬化模型,应用硝酸酶还原法测定大鼠血清和睾丸组织匀浆的NO浓度,应用放射免疫分析法测定血清睾酮浓度,同时检测大鼠附睾精子密度和精子活率. 结果肝硬化(HC)组大鼠血清和睾丸组织匀浆NO水平分别为(4.165±1.162)μmol/L和(1.305±0.087)μmol/g,假手术(SO)组大鼠血清和睾丸组织匀浆NO水平分别为(0.535±0.237)μmol/L和(0.720±0.063)μmol/g,HC组显著高于SO组.HC组血清睾酮水平[(0.049±0.020)μg/L]、附睾精子活率(16.46%±4.84%)及精子密度[(86.89±33.17)×106个/ml]均显著低于SO组[分别为(2.680±0.403)μg/L、62.45%±9.21%和(299.43±53.85)×106个/ml],而持续给予小剂量NOS抑制剂L-NAME(HC-NAME组)(0.5mg@kg-1@d-1)达一周,HC-NAME组大鼠血清及睾丸组织NO水平分别为(1.975±0.406)μmol/L和(0.950±0.057)μmol/g,较HC组显著降低.同时HC-NAME组血清睾酮水平、附睾精子活率和精子密度较HC组均显著增高,分别为(0.993±0.179)μg/L、33.85%±4.93%和(188.94±38.34)×106个/ml. 结论 NO在肝硬化大鼠睾丸功能障碍发生中起重要作用,小剂量应用NOS抑制剂L-NAME,肝硬化大鼠NOS持续抑制引起的睾丸功能障碍得到不同程度改善,表明在治疗肝硬化睾丸功能障碍患者时体内给予NOS抑制剂的可能性.     

一氧化碳与肝硬化大鼠血脑屏障通透性的关系

目的 研究肝硬化大鼠血浆一氧化碳（ＣＯ）水平与血脑屏障通透性改变之间的关系。方法 将ＳＤ大鼠分为两组，ＣＣｌ４肝硬化模型组（ｎ＝１０）及正常对照组（ｎ＝１０），用联二亚硫酸盐还原法测定血浆ＣＯ的含量，用伊文思蓝法测定血脑屏障通透性，生理多导仪测定血压、心率等。结果 与对照组相比，肝硬化组血浆ＣＯ水平明显升高［（１８．３７±１．７９）μｍｏｌ／Ｌ ｖｓ （１０．２７±１．２１）μｍｏｌ／Ｌ，ｔ＝７．５，Ｐ＜０．０１］而平均动脉压（ｋＰａ）降低（１８．９３±０．７１　ｖｓ　１５．９２±０．７４），ｔ＝５．８３，Ｐ＜０．０１；血脑屏障通透性增加，脑内伊文思蓝含量肝硬化组明显高于对照组（１８．５２±１．３９ ｖｓ１５．０８±１．０６）ｎｇ／ｍｇ，ｔ＝３．９４，Ｐ＜０．０１。在肝硬化组血浆 ＣＯ水平与脑内伊文思蓝含量成正相关（ｒ＝０．７２，Ｐ ＜ ０．０１）而与平均动脉压成负相关（ｒ＝－０．６７，Ｐ＜０．０５）。结论 ＣＯ作为一种信使分子，不仅参与肝硬化大鼠低血压的发生，还与血脑屏障通透性增加有关，可能是肝硬化易诱发肝性脑病的重要介质之一。     

beta(2)-adrenoceptors activate nitric oxide synthase in human platelets

Nitric oxide (NO), generated by platelets through stimulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), limits platelet adhesion and aggregation after a prothrombotic stimulus. Platelet beta-adrenoceptors (betaARs) mediate inhibition of aggregation, but no direct link has been shown between these receptors and platelet adhesion or NO production. We examined NOS activity in human platelets from the conversion of L-[(3)H]-arginine to L-[(3)H]-citrulline, after betaAR stimulation or cAMP elevation. Basal NOS activity was 0.11+/-0.03 pmol L-citrulline/10(8) platelets. The betaAR agonist isoproterenol 1 micromol/L and the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin 1 micromol/L each increased NOS activity, to 0.26+/-0.04 and 0.23+/-0.03 pmol L-citrulline/10(8) platelets, respectively (P<0.01 for each). Both responses were abolished by the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor SQ22536 50 micromol/L. NOS activation by isoproterenol or forskolin was not associated with a change in intracellular Ca(2+). In functional studies, isoproterenol inhibited U46619-induced platelet aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner, but this effect was not significantly diminished by NOS inhibition. In contrast, thrombin-stimulated platelet adhesion to cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers was inhibited by isoproterenol, and this effect was abolished by NOS inhibition (1.3+/-0.2% versus 2.6+/-0.2% respectively; P<0.001). Effects of isoproterenol on NOS activity, platelet aggregation, and adhesion were mediated exclusively through beta(2)ARs, as determined by coincubation with betaAR subtype-selective antagonists. We conclude that beta(2)ARs activate platelet NOS by increasing cAMP, and that this activation is Ca(2+)-independent. beta(2)ARs may contribute to modulation of platelet aggregation and adhesion to endothelium, and our findings suggest that activation of the L-arginine/NO system mediates the effects of beta(2)ARs on adhesion but not aggregation.     

Contribution of nitric oxide to the pathogenesis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy in bile duct-ligated rats

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Decreased cardiac contractility and beta-adrenergic responsiveness have been observed in cirrhosis, but the etiology remains unclear. We aimed to test the role of nitric oxide (NO), a negative inotropic agent, in the pathogenesis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy in a rat model. METHODS: Cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation. Four weeks after ligation or sham operation, cardiac levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, guanosine 3,5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), inducible NOS (NOS2), and endothelial constitutive NOS (NOS3) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein were determined. Serum nitrite/nitrate level was measured. Cardiac contractile function was evaluated in isolated left ventricular papillary muscles in the absence and presence of the NOS inhibitor nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). RESULTS: Cardiac TNF-alpha, NOS2 mRNA and protein, cGMP, and serum interleukin (IL)-1beta and nitrite/nitrate levels were significantly higher in cirrhotic rats than sham controls. No significant differences in NOS3 mRNA or protein were found between cirrhotic and sham control rats. Baseline isoproterenol-stimulated papillary muscle contractile force was significantly lower in the cirrhotic group; with L-NAME incubation, contractile force increased significantly in cirrhotic rats but was unaffected in the controls. In normal papillary muscles, IL-1beta attenuated the contractility, but coincubation with L-NAME again reversed this attenuation. Incubation with the exogenous NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine also blunted papillary muscle contractility. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that cytokine-induced stimulation of NOS2 plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.