scholarly journals Heme proteins mediate the conversion of nitrite to nitric oxide in the vascular wall

2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (2) ◽  
pp. H499-H508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wael F. Alzawahra ◽  
M. A. Hassan Talukder ◽  
Xiaoping Liu ◽  
Alexandre Samouilov ◽  
Jay L. Zweier

Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to be the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), and its impairment contributes to a variety of cardiovascular disorders. Recently, it has been recognized that nitrite can be an important source of NO; however, questions remain regarding the activity and mechanisms of nitrite bioactivation in vessels and its physiological importance. Therefore, we investigated the effects of nitrite on in vivo hemodynamics in rats and in vitro vasorelaxation in isolated rat aorta under aerobic conditions. Studies were performed to determine the mechanisms by which nitrite is converted to NO. In anesthetized rats, nitrite dose dependently decreased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure with a threshold dose of 10 μM. Similarly, nitrite (10 μM-2 mM) caused vasorelaxation of aortic rings, and NO was shown to be the intermediate factor responsible for this activity. With the use of electrochemical as well as electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy techniques NO generation was measured from isolated aortic vessels following nitrite treatment. Reduction of nitrite to NO was blocked by heating the vessel, suggesting that an enzymatic process is involved. Organ chamber experiments demonstrated that aortic relaxation induced by nitrite could be blocked by both hemoglobin and soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline-1-one (ODQ). In addition, both electrochemical and EPR spin-trapping measurements showed that ODQ inhibits nitrite-mediated NO production. These findings thus suggest that nitrite can be a precursor of EDRF and that sGC or other heme proteins inhibited by ODQ catalyze the reduction of nitrite to NO.

2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (6) ◽  
pp. H2743-H2751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei L. Kleschyov ◽  
Bernard Muller ◽  
Thérèse Keravis ◽  
Marie-Elisabeth Stoeckel ◽  
Jean-Claude Stoclet

The role of adventitial cells in bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced vascular nitric oxide (NO) overproduction has been largely ignored. In rat aortas exposed to LPS in vitro or in vivo, it was found that adventitia contained the major part of NO synthase (NOS)-2 protein (Western blot and immunohistochemistry) and generated the largest amount of NO (electron paramagnetic resonance spin trapping). NOS-2 immunoreactive cells were mainly resident macrophages at an early stage (5 h, in vitro or in vivo) and fibroblasts at a later stage (20 h, in vitro). Adventitial NOS-2 activity largely accounted for 1) the relaxing effect of l-arginine in rings exposed to LPS in vivo, 2) generation of an “NO store” revealed by N-acetylcysteine-induced relaxation, and 3) formation of protein-bound dinitrosyl iron complexes in the medial layer of aortic rings exposed to LPS in vitro. In conclusion, the adventitia is a powerful source of NO triggered by LPS in the rat aorta. This novel source of NO has an important impact on smooth muscle function and might be implicated in various inflammatory diseases.


2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 359-366
Author(s):  
J. Li ◽  
B. Shi ◽  
S. Yan ◽  
L. Jin ◽  
Y. Guo ◽  
...  

The effects of chitosan on nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity and gene expression in vivo or vitro were investigated in weaned piglets. In vivo, 180 weaned piglets were assigned to five dietary treatments with six replicates. The piglets were fed on a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 100, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg chitosan/kg feed, respectively. In vitro, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a weaned piglet were cultured respectively with 0 (control), 40, 80, 160, and 320 µg chitosan/ml medium. Results showed that serum NO concentrations on days 14 and 28 and iNOS activity on day 28 were quadratically improved with increasing chitosan dose (P < 0.05). The iNOS mRNA expressions were linearly or quadratically enhanced in the duodenum on day 28, and were improved quadratically in the jejunum on days 14 and 28 and in the ileum on day 28 (P < 0.01). In vitro, the NO concentrations, iNOS activity, and mRNA expression in unstimulated PBMCs were quadratically enhanced by chitosan, but the improvement of NO concentrations and iNOS activity by chitosan were markedly inhibited by N-(3-[aminomethyl] benzyl) acetamidine (1400w) (P < 0.05). Moreover, the increase of NO concentrations, iNOS activity, and mRNA expression in PBMCs induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were suppressed significantly by chitosan (P < 0.05). The results indicated that the NO concentrations, iNOS activity, and mRNA expression in piglets were increased by feeding chitosan in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, chitosan improved the NO production in unstimulated PBMCs but inhibited its production in LPS-induced cells, which exerted bidirectional regulatory effects on the NO production via modulated iNOS activity and mRNA expression.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Razika Zeghir-Bouteldja ◽  
Manel Amri ◽  
Saliha Aitaissa ◽  
Samia Bouaziz ◽  
Dalila Mezioug ◽  
...  

Hydatidosis is characterized by the long-term coexistence of larvaEchinococcus granulosusand its host without effective rejection. Previous studies demonstrated nitric oxide (NO) production (in vivo and in vitro) during hydatidosis. In this study, we investigated the direct in vitro effects of NO species: nitrite (NO2−), nitrate (NO3−) and peroxynitrite (ONOO−) on protoscolices (PSCs) viability and hydatid cyst layers integrity for 24 hours and 48 hours. Our results showed protoscolicidal activity ofNO2−andONOO−24 hours and 3 hours after treatment with 320 μM and 80 μM respectively. Degenerative effects were observed on germinal and laminated layers. The comparison of the in vitro effects of NO species on the PSCs viability indicated thatONOO−is more cytotoxic thanNO2−. In contrast,NO3−has no effect. These results suggest possible involvement ofNO2−andONOO−in antihydatic action and point the efficacy of these metabolites as scolicidal agents.


2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 113-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Myronidou ◽  
B. Kokkas ◽  
A. Kouyoumtzis ◽  
N. Gregoriadis ◽  
A. Lourbopoulos ◽  
...  

In these studies we investigated if losartan, an AT1- receptor blocker has any beneficial effect on NO production from the bovine aortic preparations in vitro while under stimulation from angiotensin II. Experiments were performed on intact specimens of bovine thoracic aorta, incubated in Dulbeco's MOD medium in a metabolic shaker for 24 hours under 95 % O2 and 5 % CO2 at a temperature of 37°C. We found that angiotensin II 1nM−10 μM does not exert any statistically significant action on NO production. On the contrary, angiotensin II 10nM increases the production of NO by 58.14 % (from 12.16 + 2.9 μm/l to 19.23 + 4.2 μm/l in the presence of losartan 1nM (P<0.05). Nitric oxide levels depend on both rate production and rate catabolism or chemical inactivation. Such an equilibrium is vital for the normal function of many systems including the cardiovascular one. The above results demonstrate that the blockade of AT1-receptors favors the biosynthesis of NO and indicate the protective role of losartan on the vascular wall.


Blood ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
pp. 1857-1864 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Brouwer ◽  
W Chamulitrat ◽  
G Ferruzzi ◽  
DL Sauls ◽  
JB Weinberg

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) is a paramagnetic gas that has been implicated in a wide range of biologic functions. The common pathway to evoke the functional response frequently involves the formation of an iron- nitrosyl complex in a target (heme) protein. In this study, we report on the interactions between NO and cobalt-containing vitamin B12 derivatives. Absorption spectroscopy showed that of the four Co(III) derivatives (cyanocobalamin [CN-Cbl], aquocobalamin [H2O-Cbl], adenosylcobalamin [Ado-Cbl], and methylcobalamin [MeCbl]), only the H2O- Cbl combined with NO. In addition, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy of H2O-Cbl preparations showed the presence of a small amount of Cob-(II)alamin that was capable of combining with NO. The Co(III)-NO complex was very stable, but could transfer its NO moiety to hemoglobin (Hb). The transfer was accompanied by a reduction of the Co(III) to Co(II), indicating that NO+ (nitrosonium) was the leaving group. In accordance with this, the NO did not combine with the Hb Fe(II)-heme, but most likely with the Hb cysteine-thiolate. Similarly, the Co(III)-NO complex was capable of transferring its NO to glutathione. Ado-Cbl and Me-Cbl were susceptible to photolysis, but CN- Cbl and H2O-Cbl were not. The homolytic cleavage of the Co(III)-Ado or Co(III)-Me bond resulted in the reduction of the metal. When photolysis was performed in the presence of NO, formation of NO-Co(II) was observed. Co(II)-nitrosyl oxidized slowly to form Co(III)-nitrosyl. The capability of aquocobalamin to combine with NO had functional consequences. We found that nitrosylcobalamin had diminished ability to serve as a cofactor for the enzyme methionine synthase, and that aquocobalamin could quench NO-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation. Our in vitro studies therefore suggest that interactions between NO and cobalamins may have important consequences in vivo.


2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (4) ◽  
pp. G747-G753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catalina Caballero-Alomar ◽  
Carmen Santos ◽  
Diego Lopez ◽  
M. Teresa Mitjavila ◽  
Pere Puig-Parellada

We examined in vitro the source and role of basal nitric oxide (NO) in proximal segments of guinea pig taenia caeci in nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) conditions. Using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), we measured the effect of the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 10–4 M), the neuronal blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX, 10–6 M), or both on spontaneous contractions and on the production of basal NO. Both l-NAME and TTX, when tested alone, increased the amplitude and frequency of contractions. NO production was abolished by l-NAME and was inhibited by 38% by TTX. When tested together, l-NAME in the presence of TTX or TTX in the presence of l-NAME had no further effect on the amplitude or frequency of spontaneous contractions, and the NO production was inhibited. These findings suggest that basal NO consists of TTX-sensitive and TTX-resistant components. The TTX-sensitive NO has an inhibitory effect on spontaneous contractions; the role of TTX-resistant NO is unknown.


1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (1) ◽  
pp. F58-F65 ◽  
Author(s):  
David H. Warden ◽  
Anthony J. Croatt ◽  
Zvonimir S. Katusic ◽  
Karl A. Nath

In the glycerol model of renal injury we describe an acute rise in systemic arterial pressure which is attended by a reduced vasodilatory response to acetylcholine in vivo; vasodilatory responses to verapamil, however, were not impaired. Neither arginine nor sodium nitroprusside diminished this rise in blood pressure; N ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) elevated basal mean arterial pressure and markedly blunted the rise in mean arterial pressure following the administration of glycerol. Aortic rings from the glycerol-treated rat demonstrate an impaired vasodilatory response to acetylcholine, an effect not repaired by arginine; the vasodilatory responses to nitric oxide donors, sodium nitroprusside and SIN-1, were also impaired; 8-bromo-cGMP, at higher doses, evinced a vasodilatory response comparable to that observed in the control rings. This pattern of responses was not a nonspecific effect of aortic injury, since aortic rings treated with mercuric chloride, a potent oxidant, displayed an impaired vasodilatory response to acetylcholine but not to sodium nitroprusside. We conclude that in the glycerol model of heme protein-induced tissue injury, there is an acute elevation in mean arterial pressure attended by impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in vitro and in vivo. We suggest that the acute scavenging of nitric oxide by heme proteins depletes the blood vessel wall of its endogenous vasodilator and permeation of heme proteins into the blood vessel wall may contribute to such sustained effects as observed in vitro.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Wang ◽  
You-Jin Jeon ◽  
Jae-Il Kim

Abstract Background Inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of many diseases such as arthritis and atherosclerosis. In the present study, we evaluated anti-inflammatory activity of sterol-rich fraction prepared from Spirogyra sp., a freshwater green alga, in an effort to find bioactive extracts derived from natural sources. Methods The sterol content of ethanol extract of Spirogyra sp. (SPE) was enriched by fractionation with hexane (SPEH), resulting 6.7 times higher than SPE. Using this fraction, the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and zebrafish. Results SPEH effectively and dose-dependently decreased the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). SPEH suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-1β through downregulating nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells without cytotoxicity. The in vivo test results indicated that SPEH significantly and dose-dependently reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cell death, and NO production in LPS-stimulated zebrafish. Conclusions These results demonstrate that SPEH possesses strong in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities and has the potential to be used as healthcare or pharmaceutical material for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.


Author(s):  
Eleonora Salvolini ◽  
Monia Orciani ◽  
Arianna Vignini ◽  
Roberto Primio ◽  
Laura Mazzanti

AbstractRecent reports have indicated that, as well as having antiresorptive effects, bisphosphonates could have an application as anti-inflammatory drugs. Our aim was to investigate whether this anti-inflammatory action could be mediated by the nitric oxide (NO) released by the leukocytes migrating to the site of inflammation. In particular, we investigated in vitro the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), the level of NO released by PMN and platelets, and the PMN myeloperoxidase activity after incubation with disodium pamidronate, since there was a postulated modulatory effect of this aminosubstituted bisphosphonate on leukocytes both in vitro and in vivo. Our data shows that the pamidronate treatment provoked a significant increase in the [Ca2+]i parallel to the enhancement in NO release, suggesting a possible activation of constitutive nitric oxide synthase, while the myeloperoxidase activity was significantly reduced. In conclusion, we hypothesized that treatment with pamidronate could stimulate NO-production by cells present near the bone compartment, thus constituting a protective mechanism against bone resorption occurring during inflammation. In addition, PMN- and platelet-derived NO could act as a negative feed-back signal to restrict the inflammatory processes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan A. Rubiolo ◽  
Emilio Lence ◽  
Concepción González-Bello ◽  
María Roel ◽  
José Gil-Longo ◽  
...  

Crambescins are guanidine alkaloids from the sponge Crambe crambe. Crambescin C1 (CC) induces metallothionein genes and nitric oxide (NO) is one of the triggers. We studied and compared the in vitro, in vivo, and in silico effects of some crambescine A and C analogs. HepG2 gene expression was analyzed using microarrays. Vasodilation was studied in rat aortic rings. In vivo hypotensive effect was directly measured in anesthetized rats. The targets of crambescines were studied in silico. CC and homo-crambescine C1 (HCC), but not crambescine A1 (CA), induced metallothioneins transcripts. CC increased NO production in HepG2 cells. In isolated rat aortic rings, CC and HCC induced an endothelium-dependent relaxation related to eNOS activation and an endothelium-independent relaxation related to iNOS activation, hence both compounds increase NO and reduce vascular tone. In silico analysis also points to eNOS and iNOS as targets of Crambescin C1 and source of NO increment. CC effect is mediated through crambescin binding to the active site of eNOS and iNOS. CC docking studies in iNOS and eNOS active site revealed hydrogen bonding of the hydroxylated chain with residues Glu377 and Glu361, involved in the substrate recognition, and explains its higher binding affinity than CA. The later interaction and the extra polar contacts with its pyrimidine moiety, absent in the endogenous substrate, explain its role as exogenous substrate of NOSs and NO production. Our results suggest that CC serve as a basis to develop new useful drugs when bioavailability of NO is perturbed.


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