scholarly journals Protective Role of Nitric Oxide in a Model of Thrombotic Microangiopathy in Rats

2001 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2088-2097
Author(s):  
JING SHAO ◽  
TOSHIO MIYATA ◽  
KOEI YAMADA ◽  
NORIO HANAFUSA ◽  
TAKEHIKO WADA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Thrombotic Microangiopathy ◽  
Periodic Acid ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
Protective Mechanism ◽  
No Production ◽  
Nos Inhibitor ◽  
Inducible Nos

Abstract. A new model of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) was previously developed, and it was demonstrated that endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) is upregulated in glomeruli in this model. It was hypothesized that the synthesis of NO, a potent vasodilator and platelet inhibitory factor, is induced as a defense mechanism. The goal of this study was to clarify the role of NO in this model.Ex vivoexperiments using Western blotting and functional assays demonstrated upregulation of endothelial NOS in isolated glomeruli from TMA rats. Inin vivoexperiments, five groups of rats were studied, including rats with TMA treated with vehicle,NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (a NOS inhibitor), or L-N6-(1-iminoethyl)lysine (L-NIL) (a specific inducible NOS inhibitor) and normal control rats treated with vehicle or L-NAME. Blood urea nitrogen levels, BP, urinary nitrate/nitrite excretion, and proteinuria were measured. Histologic assessments using periodic acid-Schiff staining and immunohistologic studies with markers for endothelium, platelets, fibrin, cell proliferation, and apoptosis were also performed. L-NAME inhibition of NO synthesis in rats with TMA resulted in more severe glomerular and tubulointerstitial injury, which was accompanied by thrombus formation and a marked loss of endothelial cells, with more apoptotic cells. These changes were associated with severe renal function deterioration. In contrast, these features were less pronounced in the vehicle- or L-NIL-treated rats with TMA and were absent in the control animals. In conclusion, inhibition of NO production in this model of TMA markedly exacerbated renal injury. The absence of effects with L-NIL treatment suggests a minor role for inducible NOS in this model. These results suggest that production of NO, most likely by endothelial cells, is an important protective mechanism in TMA.

scholarly journals Endotoxin-induced skeletal muscle contractile dysfunction: contribution of nitric oxide synthases

1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (3) ◽  
pp. C770-C779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. El-Dwairi ◽  
A. Comtois ◽  
Y. Guo ◽  
S. N. A. Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
No Production ◽  
Contractile Dysfunction ◽  
Nos Inhibitor ◽  
Nos Isoforms ◽  
Muscle Contractile ◽  
Inducible Nos

The aims of this study were to assess the role of nitric oxide (NO) and the contribution of different NO synthase (NOS) isoforms in skeletal muscle contractile dysfunction in septic shock. Four groups of conscious rats were examined. Group 1 served as control; groups 2, 3, and 4 were injected with Escherichia coli endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 20 mg/kg ip] and killed after 6, 12, and 24 h, respectively. Protein expression was assessed by immunoblotting and immunostaining. LPS injection elicited a transient expression of the inducible NOS isoform, which peaked 12 h after LPS injection and disappeared within 24 h. This expression coincided with a significant increase in nitrotyrosine formation (peroxynitrite footprint). Muscle expression of the endothelial and neuronal NOS isoforms, by comparison, rose significantly and remained higher than control levels 24 h after LPS injection. In vitro measurement of muscle contractility 24 h after LPS injection showed that incubation with NOS inhibitor ( S-methyliosothiourea) restored the decline in submaximal force generation, whereas maximal muscle force remained unaffected. We conclude that NO plays a significant role in muscle contractile dysfunction in septic animals and that increased NO production is due to induction of the inducible NOS isoform and upregulation of constitutive NOS isoforms.

Parasite killing in murine malaria does not require nitric oxide production

Parasitology ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. FAVRE ◽  
B. RYFFEL ◽  
W. RUDIN
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Blood Stage ◽  
No Production ◽  
Nos Inhibitor ◽  
Oxide Synthase ◽  
Deficient Mice ◽  
Stage Parasite ◽  
Blood Stage Malaria ◽  
Inducible Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide (NO) production has been suggested to play a role as effector molecule in the control of the malarial infections. However, the roles of this molecule are debated. To assess whether blood-stage parasite killing is NO dependent, we investigated the course of blood-stage Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi (Pcc) infections in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-deficient mice. Parasitaemia, haematological alterations, and survival were not affected by the lack of iNOS. To exclude a role of NO produced by other NOS, controls included NO suppression by oral administration of aminoguanidine (AG), a NOS inhibitor. As in iNOS-deficient mice, no difference in the parasitaemia course, survival and haematological values was observed after AG treatment. Our results indicate that NO production is not required for protection against malaria in our murine experimental model. However, C57BL/6 mice treated with AG lost their resistance to Pcc infections, suggesting that the requirement for NO production for parasite killing in murine blood-stage malaria might be strain dependent.

scholarly journals Nitric oxide production in murine spleen cells: role of interferons and prostaglandin E2in the generation of cytotoxic activity

1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Vaillier ◽  
Richard Daculsi ◽  
Norbert Gualdel
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Cytotoxic Activity ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
No Production ◽  
Spleen Cells ◽  
Kinase C ◽  
Murine Spleen ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
A Minor

The production of nitric oxide (NO) was measured in cultures of spleen cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), IL-2 or LPS + IL-2. We observed that NO synthesis is increased by IFN-γ but inhibited by IFN-α/β. This is not the case when IL-2 is present in the cultures, since interferons play a minor role in the regulation of the NO production. When IL-2 and LPS were associated in the cultures, the IFN-α/β role seems more important than that of IFN-γ. PGE2inhibits NO production in LPS supplemented cultures but has a slight effect in the presence of IL-2 and no effect with IL-2 + LPS. 3-isoButyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), an inhibitor of phosphodiesterases, induces a decrease of IFN production. In the presence of H-7, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), NO production is reduced when the cultures are supplemented by LPS or IL-2 but not when IL-2 and LPS are both added. H-7 also reduced IFN production. In the presence of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (N-MMA), an inhibitor of NO synthesis, IFN production was increased, with no change in the cytotoxic activity. Hence, interferons regulate NO production by mouse spleen cells and, in return, NO modulates the generation of IFN.

Role of G proteins in shear stress-mediated nitric oxide production by endothelial cells

1994 ◽  
Vol 267 (3) ◽  
pp. C753-C758 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Kuchan ◽  
H. Jo ◽  
J. A. Frangos
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Shear Stress ◽  
G Protein ◽  
G Proteins ◽  
No Production ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Protein Activation ◽  
Synthase Inhibitor

Exposure of cultured endothelial cells to shear stress resulting from well-defined fluid flow stimulates the production of nitric oxide (NO). We have established that an initial burst in production is followed by sustained steady-state NO production. The signal transduction events leading to this stimulation are not well understood. In the present study, we examined the role of regulatory guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins) in shear stress-mediated NO production. In endothelial cells not exposed to shear stress, AIF4-, a general activator of G proteins, markedly elevated the production of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). Pretreatment with NO synthase inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine completely blocked this stimulation. Incubation with guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP beta S), a general G protein inhibitor, blocked the flow-mediated burst in cGMP production in a dose-dependent manner. Likewise, GDP beta S inhibited NOx (NO2 + NO3) production for the 1st h. However, inhibition was not detectable between 1 and 3 h. Pertussis toxin (PTx) had no effect on the shear response at any time point. The burst in NO production caused by a change in shear stress appears to be dependent on a PTx-refractory G protein. Sustained shear-mediated production is independent of G protein activation.

scholarly journals Salt-induced hypertension in Dahl salt-resistant and salt-sensitive rats with NOS II inhibition

1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (2) ◽  
pp. H732-H739 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Audrey Rudd ◽  
Maria Trolliet ◽  
Susan Hope ◽  
Anne Ward Scribner ◽  
Geraldine Daumerie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Function ◽  
No Synthase ◽  
No Production ◽  
Induced Hypertension ◽  
Blood Pressures ◽  
Diameter Change ◽  
Inducible Nos ◽  
Tail Cuff

Although recent evidence suggests that reduced nitric oxide (NO) production may be involved in salt-induced hypertension, the specific NO synthase (NOS) responsible for the conveyance of salt sensitivity remains unknown. To determine the role of inducible NOS (NOS II) in salt-induced hypertension, we treated Dahl salt-resistant (DR) rats with the selective NOS II inhibitor 2-amino-5,6-dihydro-6-methyl-4H-1,3-thiazine (AMT) for 12 days. Tail-cuff systolic blood pressures rose 29 ± 6 and 42 ± 8 mmHg in DR rats given 150 and 300 nmol AMT/h, respectively ( P < 0.01, 2-way ANOVA) after 7 days of 8% NaCl diet. We observed similar results with two other potent selective NOS II inhibitors, S-ethylisourea (EIT) and N-[3-(aminomethyl)benzyl]acetamidine hydrochloride (1400W). Additionally, AMT effects were independent of alterations in endothelial function as assessed by diameter change of mesenteric arterioles in response to methacholine using videomicroscopy. We, therefore, conclude from these data that NOS II is important in salt-induced hypertension.

scholarly journals Gastrointestinal nitric oxide generation in germ-free and conventional rats

2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (5) ◽  
pp. G993-G997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Sobko ◽  
Claudia Reinders ◽  
Elisabeth Norin ◽  
Tore Midtvedt ◽  
Lars E. Gustafsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Intestinal Microflora ◽  
No Synthase ◽  
No Production ◽  
Germ Free ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Nitrate Load ◽  
Nos Inhibitor

Nitric oxide (NO) is a central mediator of various physiological events in the gastrointestinal tract. The influence of the intestinal microflora for NO production in the gut is unknown. Bacteria could contribute to this production either by stimulating the mucosa to produce NO, or they could generate NO themselves. Using germ-free and conventional rats, we measured gaseous NO directly in the gastrointestinal tract and from the luminal contents using a chemiluminescence technique. Mucosal NO production was studied by using an NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, and to evaluate microbial contribution to the NO generation, nitrate was given to the animals. In conventional rats, luminal NO differed profoundly along the gastrointestinal tract with the greatest concentrations in the stomach [>4,000 parts per billion (ppb)] and cecum (≈200 ppb) and lower concentrations in the small intestine and colon (≤20 ppb). Cecal NO correlated with the levels in incubated luminal contents. NOS inhibition lowered NO levels in the colon, without affecting NO in the stomach and in the cecum. Gastric NO increased greatly after a nitrate load, proving it to be a substrate for NO generation. In germ-free rats, NO was low (≤30 ppb) throughout the gastrointestinal tract and absent in the incubated luminal contents. NO also remained low after a nitrate load. Our results demonstrate a pivotal role of the intestinal microflora in gastrointestinal NO generation. Distinctly compartmentalized qualitative and quantitative NO levels in conventional and germ-free rats reflect complex host microbial cross talks, possibly making NO a regulator of the intestinal eco system.

Role of calcium and calmodulin in flow-induced nitric oxide production in endothelial cells

1994 ◽  
Vol 266 (3) ◽  
pp. C628-C636 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Kuchan ◽  
J. A. Frangos
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Shear Stress ◽  
No Synthase ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
No Production ◽  
Rapid Production ◽  
Nos Inhibitor ◽  
Elevated Rate ◽  
Stimulation Of

These experiments demonstrate that exposure of cultured endothelial cells (EC) to well-defined laminar fluid flow results in an elevated rate of NO production. NO production was monitored by release of NOx (NO2- + NO3(2-) and by cellular guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) concentration. NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor blocked the flow-mediated stimulation of both NOx and cGMP, indicating that both measurements reflect NO production. Exposure to laminar flow increased NO release in a biphasic manner, with an initial rapid production consequent to the onset of flow followed by a less rapid, sustained production. A similar rapid increase in NO production resulted from an increase in flow above a preexisting level. The rapid initial production of NO was not dependent on shear stress within a physiological range (6-25 dyn/cm2) but may be dependent on the rate of change in shear stress. The sustained release of NO was dependent on physiological levels of shear stress. The calcium (Ca2+) or calmodulin (CaM) dependence of the initial and sustained production of NO was compared with bradykinin (BK)-mediated NO production. Both BK and the initial production were inhibited by Ca2+ and CaM antagonists. In contrast, the sustained shear stress-mediated NO production was not affected, despite the continued functional presence of the antagonists. Dexamethasone had no effect on either the initial or the sustained shear stress-mediated NO production. An inducible NOS does not, therefore, explain the apparent Ca2+/CaM independence of the sustained shear stress-mediated NO production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

scholarly journals Further evidence for the role of nitric oxide in maternal aggression: effects of L-NAME on maternal aggression towards female intruders in Wistar rats

2009 ◽  
pp. 591-598
Author(s):  
S Ankarali ◽  
HC Ankarali ◽  
C Marangoz
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Methyl Ester ◽  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
Wistar Rats ◽  
No Production ◽  
Maternal Aggression ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Nos Inhibitor ◽  
Oxide Synthase

It has been shown that nitric oxide (NO) increases aggression in male mice, whereas it decreases aggression in lactating female mice and prairie voles. It is also known that aggression can be exhibited at different levels in rodent species, strain or subtypes. The aims of this study were to investigate the proportion of aggressiveness in Wistar rats, the effect of intraperitoneally administered nonspecific nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-NAME (NG-nitro L-arginine methyl ester) on maternal aggression towards female intruders, and whether these effects are due to NO production or not. Rats were given saline intraperitoneally on the postpartum Day 2 and aggression levels were recorded. The same rats were given 60 mg/kg L-NAME or D-NAME (NG -nitro D-arginine methyl ester) on the postpartum Day 3 and their effects on aggression levels were compared to saline. While L-NAME administration did not cause any differences in the total number of aggressive behavior, aggression duration and aggression intensity, it reduced the proportion of animals showing aggressive behavior. In addition, the latency of the first aggression was significantly increased by L-NAME. In the D-NAME group, however, no significant change was found. Our results have shown that L-NAME reduces maternal aggression towards female intruders in Wistar rats through inhibition of NO production. These results suggest that the role of NO in offensive and defensive maternal aggression shares neural mechanisms.

scholarly journals Inhibition of mammalian nitric oxide synthases by agmatine, an endogenous polyamine formed by decarboxylation of arginine

1996 ◽  
Vol 316 (1) ◽  
pp. 247-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena GALEA ◽  
S. REGUNATHAN ◽  
Vassily ELIOPOULOS ◽  
Douglas L. FEINSTEIN ◽  
Donald J. REIS
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Enzyme Activity ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Structural Similarity ◽  
Nitric Oxide Synthases ◽  
No Production ◽  
Brain Macrophages ◽  
Nos Inhibitor ◽  
Nos Isoforms

Agmatine, decarboxylated arginine, is a metabolic product of mammalian cells. Considering the close structural similarity between L-arginine and agmatine, we investigated the interaction of agmatine and nitric oxide synthases (NOSs), which use L-arginine to generate nitric oxide (NO) and citrulline. Brain, macrophages and endothelial cells were respectively used as sources for NOS isoforms I, II and III. Enzyme activity was measured by the production of nitrites or L-citrulline. Agmatine was a competitive NOS inhibitor but not an NO precursor. Ki values were approx. 660 μM (NOS I), 220 μM (NOS II) and 7.5 mM (NOS III). Structurally related polyamines did not inhibit NOS activity. Agmatine, therefore, may be an endogenous regulator of NO production in mammals.

scholarly journals Nitric Oxide Mediates Cerebral Ischemic Tolerance in a Neonatal Rat Model of Hypoxic Preconditioning

1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Gidday ◽  
Aarti R. Shah ◽  
Raymond G. Maceren ◽  
Qiong Wang ◽  
Dale A. Pelligrino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Ischemic Tolerance ◽  
Hypoxic Preconditioning ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
No Production ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Nos Inhibitor ◽  
Neuronal Nos ◽  
Inducible Nos

Neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia can be realized if the brain is preconditioned by previous exposure to a brief period of sublethal ischemia. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) produced from the neuronal isoform of NO synthase (NOS) serves as a necessary signal for establishing an ischemia-tolerant state in brain. A newborn rat model of hypoxic preconditioning was used, wherein exposure to sublethal hypoxia (8% oxygen) for 3 hours renders postnatal day (PND) 6 animals completely resistant to a cerebral hypoxic-ischemic insult imposed 24 hours later. Postnatal day 6 animals were treated 0.5 hour before preconditioning hypoxia with the nonselective NOS inhibitor L-nitroarginine (2 mg/kg intraperitoneally). This treatment, which resulted in a 67 to 81% inhibition of calcium-dependent constitutive NOS activity 0.5 to 3.5 hours after its administration, completely blocked preconditioning-induced protection. However, administration of the neuronal NOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (40 mg/kg intraperitoneally) before preconditioning hypoxia, which decreased constitutive brain NOS activity by 58 to 81%, was without effect on preconditioning-induced cerebroprotection, as was pretreatment with the inducible NOS inhibitor aminoguanidine (400 mg/kg intraperitoneally). The protective effects of preconditioning were also not blocked by treating animals with competitive [3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonate; 5 mg/kg intraperitoneally] or noncompetitive (MK-801; 1 mg/kg intraperitoneally) N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists prior to preconditioning hypoxia. These findings indicate that NO production and activity are critical to the induction of ischemic tolerance in this model. However, the results argue against the involvement of the neuronal NOS isoform, activated secondary to a hypoxia-induced stimulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, and against the involvement of the inducible NOS isoform, but rather suggest that NO produced by the endothelial NOS isoform is required to mediate this profound protective effect.

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