A Japanese herbal medicine, Sho-saiko-to, prevents gut ischemia/reperfusion-induced hepatic microvascular dysfunction in rats

BACKGROUND AND AIM: We have reported that gut ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) causes hepatic microvascular dysfunction. Nitric oxide (NO) has been found to be a modulator of the adhesive interactions between leukocytes, platelets, and endothelial cells. Sho-saiko-to (TJ-9), a Japanese herbal medicine, is reported to have protective effects against liver injury and to regulate NO production. The objective of this study was to determine whether TJ-9 affects hepatic microvascular dysfunction elicited by gut I/R, and to investigate the role of NO. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were exposed to 30 min of gut ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Intravital microscopy was used to monitor leukocyte recruitment and the number of non-perfused sinusoids (NPS). Plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were measured. In another set of experiments, TJ-9 (1 g/kg per day intragastrically) was administered to rats for 7 days. In some experiments, dexamethasone (ST) (2 mg/kg per day intravenously) was administered. RESULTS: In control rats, gut I/R elicited increases in the number of stationary leukocytes, NPS, and plasma TNF-alpha and ALT activities, and these changes were mitigated by the pretreatment with TJ-9. Pretreatment with an NO synthase inhibitor diminished the protective effects of TJ-9 on the increase in leukostasis in the pericentral region, NPS, and plasma TNF-alpha levels, but not its effect on the increase in leukostasis in the midzonal region, total number of stationary leukocytes, or plasma ALT activities. Pretreatment with TJ-9 increased plasma nitrite/nitrate levels. The responses caused by gut I/R were attenuated by the pretreatment with ST. Pretreatment with an NO synthase inhibitor did not affect the effect of ST. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that TJ-9 attenuates the gut I/R-induced hepatic microvascular dysfunction and inflammatory responses such as TNF-alpha production in the early phase via enhancement of NO production, and sequential hepatocellular damage via its anti-inflammatory effect like corticosteroid effect.     

Japanese herbal medicine, Saiko-keishi-to, prevents gutischemia／reperfusion-induced liver injurv in rats via nitric oxide

AIM: To determine whether Saiko-keishi-to (TJ-10), a Japanese herbal medicine, could protect liver injury induced by gut ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), and to investigate the role of NO. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were exposed to 30-min gut ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Intravital microscopy was used to monitor leukocyte recruitment. Plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were measured. TJ-10 1 g/(kg.d) was intragastrically administered to rats for 7 d. A NO synthase inhibitor was administered. RESULTS: In control rats, gut I/R elicited increases in the number of stationary leukocytes, and plasma TNF levels and ALT activities were mitigated by pretreatment with TJ-10. Pretreatment with the NO synthase inhibitor diminished the protective effects of TJ-10 on leukostasis in the liver, and the increase of plasma TNF levels and ALT activities. Pretreatment with TJ-10 increased plasma nitrite/nitrate levels. CONCLUSION: TJ-10 attenuates the gut I/R-induced hepatic microvascular dysfunction and sequential hepatocellular injury via enhancement of NO production.     

Chronic administration of aminoguanidine reduces vascular nitric oxide production and attenuates liver damage in bile duct-ligated rats.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis. This study investigated the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in cirrhosis induced by bile duct-ligation (BDL) with NOS inhibitors. METHOD: Three days after operation, rats were randomized to receive aminoguanidine (AG, 25 mg/kg/day) or L-N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 mg/kg/day) for 21 days. RESULTS: Vascular NO production, which was increased in BDL cirrhotic rats, was reduced by 75% with AG but not L-NAME chronic administration. AG treatment attenuated liver damage, while L-NAME aggravated it. AG significantly suppressed inducible NOS (iNOS) expression in aorta of BDL rats at both mRNA and protein level, but much less efficient in reducing it in liver. In contrast, endothelial NOS (eNOS) expression was not markedly affected. Calcium-independent NOS activity, which was dramatically increased in aorta of BDL rats, was abolished by AG treatment. In liver, however, both calcium-dependent and -independent NOS activity were increased by AG treatment. CONCLUSION: Chronic administration of AG could reduce systemic NO levels as well as suppress iNOS expression and activity in aorta of BDL rats. It also improved liver function, possibly because of its ability to increase hepatic NOS activity, and to correct the systemic hemodynamic disorders by decreasing vascular NO production.     

Role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase in intestinal injury in neonatal rats

AIM: To investigate the dynamic change and role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in neonatal rat with intestinal injury and to define whether necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is associated with the levels of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the mucosa of the affected intestine tissue. METHODS: Wistar rats less than 24 h in age received an intraperitoneal injection with 5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (IPS). Ileum tissues were collected at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h following LPS challenge for histological evaluation of NEC and for measurements of nNOS and iNOS. The correlation between the degree of intestinal injury and levels of NOS was determined. RESULTS: The LPS-injected pups showed a significant increase in injury scores versus the control. The expression of nNOS protein and mRNA was diminished after LPS injection. There was a negative significant correlation between the nNOS protein and the grade of median intestinal injury within 24 h. The expression of iNOS protein and mRNA was significantly increased in the peak of intestinal injury. CONCLUSION: nNOS and iNOS play different roles in LPS-induced intestinal injury. Caution should be exerted concerning potential therapeutic uses of NOS inhibitors in NEC.     

一氧化氮合酶在N-乙酰半胱氨酸调控大鼠心肌冷缺血-再灌注损伤中的变化

目的:观察一氧化氮合酶(NOS)在N-乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)调控大鼠心肌冷缺血-再灌注损伤中的变化。方法:将健康雄性Lewis大鼠60只随机分为3组。(1)对照组:摘取供心前30 min,经供体大鼠下腔静脉注射生理盐水0.5 mL;(2)供体预处理组:摘取供心前30 min,经供体大鼠下腔静脉注射NAC300 mg/kg,受体大鼠不作预处理;(3)受体预处理组:移植前30 min,经受体大鼠下腔静脉注射NAC300 mg/kg,供体大鼠不作预处理。将冷藏于4℃HTK液18 h的供心移植至受体大鼠腹腔,建立同种异体心脏移植模型。于再灌注24 h后取供心采用免疫组化方法检测诱导型一氧化氮合酶/内皮型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS/eNOS)蛋白表达水平,以免疫组化评分(IHS)表示。采用Real time-PCR法检测iNOS/eNOS mRNA表达。结果:与对照组相比,供、受体预处理组的iNOS蛋白表达降低,IHS评分分别为3.00±0.15、1.50±0.22、1.63±0.26,P<0.05;而eNOS蛋白表达升高,IHS评分分别为2.00±0.21,3.60±0.16,3.40±0.26,P<0.05。与对照组相比,受体预处理组iNOS mRNA表达降低(0.43±0.17对1.00±0.41,P<0.05),供体预处理组eNOS mRNA表达升高(3.06±1.47对1.00±0.65,P<0.05)。结论:NOS参与了NAC预处理减轻移植大鼠心肌缺血-再灌注损伤的过程。     

Blood pressure response to hypoxia: role of nitric oxide synthase

BACKGROUND: Chronic exposure to hypobaric hypoxia has been shown to increase arterial pressure in genetically normal rats. The associated increase in blood pressure is unrelated to the hypoxia-induced erythrocytosis and persists indefinitely after restoration of normoxia. It is accompanied by a marked reduction in urinary excretion of nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) and is ameliorated by L-arginine supplementation. In view of the latter observations, we hypothesized that hypoxia-induced hypertension may be associated with downregulation of NO synthase (NOS). METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized to the hypoxic and control groups. Rats assigned to the hypoxic group were placed in chambers with air pressure maintained at 390 mm Hg. Animals assigned to the control group were kept in the chamber at 760 mm Hg air pressure. Animals were kept in their respective conditions for up to 21 days. Group of animals were tested at days 2, 3, 7, and 21. RESULTS: The hypoxic group exhibited a steady increase in arterial pressure beginning at day 3. This was accompanied by a transient increase followed by a significant decline in kidney NOS-I, NOS-II, and NOS-III abundance. A similar biphasic change was observed with NOS-II and NOS-III in the cardiac and vascular tissues. The changes in NOS abundance in the given tissues were associated with parallel changes in nitrotyrosine abundance, which reflects local NO production. The latter finding provides functional evidence for the changes observed in NOS abundance. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic hypoxia-induced hypertension in rats is associated with marked downregulation of NOS isotypes, which can, in part, account for the previously reported L-arginine-responsive hypertension in this model.     

The nitric oxide pathway--evidence and mechanisms for protection against liver ischaemia reperfusion injury

Ischaemia reperfusion (IR) injury is a clinical entity with a major contribution to the morbidity and mortality of liver surgery and transplantation. A central pathway of protection against IR injury utilizes nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes manufacture NO from L-arginine. NO generated by the endothelial NOS (eNOS) isoform protects against liver IR injury, whereas inducible NOS (iNOS)-derived NO may have either a protective or a deleterious effect during the early phase of IR injury, depending on the length of ischaemia, length of reperfusion and experimental model. In late phase hepatic IR injury, iNOS-derived NO plays a protective role. In addition to NOS consumption of L-arginine during NO synthesis, this amino acid may also be metabolized by arginase, an enzyme whose release is increased during prolonged ischaemia, and therefore diverts L-arginine away from NOS metabolism leading to a drop in the rate of NO synthesis. NO most commonly acts through the soluble guanylyl cyclase-cyclic GMP- protein kinase G pathway to ameliorate hepatic IR injury. Both endogenously generated and exogenously administered NO donors protect against liver IR injury. The beneficial effects of NO on liver IR are not, however, universal, and certain conditions, such as steatosis, may influence the protective effects of NO. In this review, the evidence for, and mechanisms of these protective actions of NO are discussed, and areas in need of further research are highlighted.     

New progress in understanding roles of nitric oxide during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is a major clinical cause of morbidity and mortality in liver surgery and transplantation. Many studies have found that nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the HIRI and its increase or decrease can affect the progression and outcome of HIRI. However, the role of NO in HIRI is controversial and complicated. NO derived by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) shows a protective role in HIRI, while excessive NO derived by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) accelerates inflammation and increases oxidative stress, further aggravating HIRI. Nevertheless, the overexpression of eNOS may exacerbate HIRI and iNOS-derived NO in some cases reduces HIRI. Here we review the new progress in the understanding of the roles of NO during HIRI: (1) NO possesses different roles in HIRI by increasing NO bioavailability, down-regulating leukotriene C4 synthase, inhibiting the activation of the nuclear factorκB (NFκB) pathway, enhancing cell autophagy, and reducing inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS). And NO has both protective and deleterious effects by regulating apoptotic factors; (2) eNOS promotes NO production and suppresses its own overexpression, exerting a hepatoprotective effect reversely. Its activation is regulated by the PI3K/Akt and KLF2/AMPK pathways; and (3) iNOS derived NO mainly has deteriorating effects on HIRI, while it may have a protective function under some conditions. Their expression should reach a balance to reduce the adverse side and make NO protective in the treatment of HIRI. Thus, it can be inferred that NO modulating drugs may be a new direction in the treatment of HIRI or may be used as an adjunct to mitigate HIRI for the purpose of protecting the liver.     

NO及NOS在低氧大鼠肺组织和主动脉中的差异性及其意义

目的观察低氧性肺动脉高压大鼠肺组织匀浆、主动脉匀浆及出肺血和入肺血中一氧化氮（NO）的含量、一氧化氮合酶（NOS）的活性。方法将24只雄性SD大鼠随机分成4组,即常氧2周组、常氧3周组、低氧2周组、低氧3周组。采用间断负压低氧法制备大鼠低氧性肺动脉高压模型;右心室导管法测定最高肺动脉压（PAP）;左颈总动脉插管测量左颈总动脉压代表动脉血压（Psa）;计算右心室肥厚指数[RV/（LV+S）];采用硝酸还原酶法测定各组大鼠出、入肺血及肺组织和主动脉匀浆中的NO含量;用化学比色法测定各组大鼠肺组织和主动脉匀浆中NOS的活性;应用免疫组化染色法观察各组大鼠肺组织及主动脉eNOS在蛋白质水平表达的变化。结果低氧组大鼠的PAP[（43.4±4.4）mmHg,（51.8±4.2）mmHg,1mmHg=0.133kPa],RV/（LV+S）（32.3±1.0,37.0±1.6）均高于其正常对照组[（20.8±2.4）mmHg,（21.8±3.9）mmHg;21.3±1.0,20.3±1.2,P<0.01)],且随缺氧时间延长而增高（P<0.01）,而Psa与常氧对照组比无差别。低氧组大鼠的出、入肺血及肺组织匀浆中的NO含量、NOS活性及肺组织eNOS的表达量均较其常氧对照组显著降低（P<0.01）,出肺血与入肺血的NO含量无差别;主动脉匀浆中NO含量和NOS的活性及大鼠主动脉的eNOS染色在各组间未见明显差异。结论低氧时,大鼠肺组织中NO的含量及NOS的活性均较常氧时降低,而主动脉中二者的表达在低氧和常氧时却没有差异,这种差异性可能是低氧时引起肺动脉高压却很少导致高血压的机制之一。     

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.     

Nitric oxide production in PCD: possible evidence for differential nitric oxide synthase function

Primary cilliary dyskinesia (PCD) is characterized by decreased levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), thought to reflect low activity of airway inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels. Alveolar NO (Calv) concentration and bronchial NO (JNO) flux can be calculated from FeNO measured at multiple exhalation flow rates. We hypothesised that whereas bronchial NO would be reduced in PCD due to reduced iNOS function, alveolar NO would reflect endothelial NOS (eNOS) function and be normal. We recorded the medical history; measured FeNO at multiple flow rates (50, 100, 200, 260 ml/sec); and performed spirometry in 24 children (aged 8-16 years). FeNO50 of the PCD children was significantly lower than normal mean (+/-SD) 8.1 +/- 1.3 ppb versus 12.5 +/- 1.6 ppb, P = 0.033. The mean +/- SD values of PCD (n = 24) and normal (n = 20) subjects were respectively: JNO: 383.5 +/- 307.9 versus 650.1 +/- 489 pl/s, P = 0.033, Calv: 1.60 +/- 0.78 versus 1.60 +/- 0.75 ppb, P = NS. We show that Calv is normal in PCD, demonstrating that there is no generalized disorder of NO handling in this condition. This differs from a previous report. Furthermore, we speculate that these data may provide supportive evidence that variable flow NO measurements can assess the relative activity of iNOS and eNOS.     

Cytochrome c oxidase regulates endogenous nitric oxide availability in respiring cells: a possible explanation for hypoxic vasodilation

One of the many routes proposed for the cellular inactivation of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) is by the cytochrome c oxidase of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. We have studied this possibility in human embryonic kidney cells engineered to generate controlled amounts of NO. We have used visible light spectroscopy to monitor continuously the redox state of cytochrome c oxidase in an oxygen-tight chamber, at the same time as which we measure cell respiration and the concentrations of oxygen and NO. Pharmacological manipulation of cytochrome c oxidase indicates that this enzyme, when it is in turnover and in its oxidized state, inactivates physiological amounts of NO, thus regulating its intra- and extracellular concentrations. This inactivation is prevented by blocking the enzyme with inhibitors, including NO. Furthermore, when cells generating low concentrations of NO respire toward hypoxia, the redox state of cytochrome c oxidase changes from oxidized to reduced, leading to a decrease in NO inactivation. The resultant increase in NO concentration could explain hypoxic vasodilation.     

Melatonin abates liver ischemia/reperfusion injury by improving the balance between nitric oxide and endothelin

Introduction Melatonin (5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine) is a naturally occurring hormone derived from the amino acid tryptophan andproduced mainly by the pineal gland (pinealocytes) in the brain as well as in the retina and gastrointestinal tract. Although the major role of melatonin is in the sleep-wake cycle through its circadian fluctuation, a large body of literature has recently demonstrated that melatonin also exerts complex physiological and pharmacological effects on multiple systems and…     

Distribution of nitric oxide synthase in stomach wall in rats

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一氧化氮和自由基对大鼠急性肝损伤的作用

目的用硫代乙酰胺（ＴＡＡ）诱发大鼠急性肝损伤,观察肝损伤过程中一氧化氮与自由基的变化．方法实验Ⅰ：大鼠２４只分为４组,一组为正常组,其余３组为损伤组．ＴＡＡ６００ｍｇ／ｋｇｓｃ２４,４８,７２ｈ测定内毒素及ＮＯ３－／ＮＯ２－,ＡＬＴ,ＡＳＴ含量．取肝组织匀浆,测定蛋白含量．脂质过氧化物歧化酶（ＳＯＤ）及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（ＧＳＨＰＸ）活性,并观察肝组织学变化．实验Ⅱ：大鼠３２只分为４组,Ａ组为正常组,Ｂ,Ｃ,Ｄ组ＴＡＡ６００ｍｇ／ｋｇｓｃ;同时给予Ｂ组生理盐水０４ｍＬ／ｋｇ,Ｃ组７５％ＬＡｒｇ３００ｍｇ／ｋｇ,Ｄ组２５％ＬＮＮＡ１０ｍｇ／ｋｇ．２４ｈ后重复注射１次．２４ｈ后按实验Ⅰ取血、肝组织,测定有关指标．结果大鼠注射ＬＡｒｇ后,ＮＯ的合成增多,转氨酶及肝组织损伤程度明显降低,注射ＬＮＮＡ组大鼠肝损伤程度加重,肝组织自由基的测定表明,抑制肝损伤大鼠ＮＯ合成,肝组织ＬＰＯ含量增高而ＳＯＤ,ＧＳＰＨＸ活性降低,ＳＯＤ,ＧＳＨＰＸ协同作用可清除体内自由基．结论抑制ＮＯ的生物合成,自由基水平增高,从而加重了肝损伤     

人胃癌组织中一氧化氮合酶的表达

目的探讨NOS与胃癌的关系.方法用NADPH-d组织化学法测定了正常胃组织、癌旁组织和癌组织中一氧化氮合酶(NOS)表达水平.结果正常胃组织中粘膜上皮细胞、各种有分泌功能的细胞及肌层神经纤维中均有NOS表达,测一个视野NOS阳性细胞的平均灰度,正常胃组织为112、癌旁组织为120、胃癌组织为145.各组间差异有显著意义.表明正常胃组织NOS活性最高,胃癌组织NOS活性最低.结论①正常胃组织有广泛的NOS分布,提示NO对维持正常胃功能具有重要作用;②胃粘膜细胞癌变过程中,NOS活性明显降低,提示NOS活性与胃粘膜细胞癌变有高度相关性.