内毒诱导肺动脉内皮细胞生成过氧亚硝基阴离子的意义

目的：探讨牛肺动脉内皮细胞（BPAEC）产生过氧亚硝基阴离子（ONOO^-）的能力及其作用。方法：用流式细胞免疫荧光技术,定量检测内毒素主要成分脂多糖（LPS）诱导培养的BPAEC中ONOO^-生成标志物硝基酪氨酸（NT）的含量,观察ONOO^-对BPAEC形态变化的影响。结果：LPS可剂量依赖性诱导BPAEC产生ONOO^-明显增多,并为氮基胍部分翻转;ONOO^-可导致BPAEC明显回缩,胞体变小,细胞间隙增宽。结论：LPS诱导BPAEC产生增多的ONOO^-可能参与介导LPS对BPAEC本身的损伤效应。     

N-乙酰半胱氨酸抗脂多糖诱导的肺动脉损伤的研究

目的 :探讨N 乙酰半胱氨酸 (N acetylcysteine,NAC)减轻脂多糖 (lipopolysaccharide ,LPS)所致的肺损伤及其机制。方法 :应用血管环张力检测技术和扫描电镜方法 ,观察了NAC对LPS引起的肺动脉反应性及肺动脉内皮细胞超微结构变化的影响 ;并测定了肺动脉组织中丙二醛 (malondialhyde ,MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶 (superoxidedismutes ,SOD)及一氧化氮 (nitricoxide,NO)的变化。结果 :LPS(4μg/ml,7h)可降低肺动脉对乙酰胆碱 (ACh)介导的内皮依赖性舒张反应 ,NAC(0 .5mmol/L)可逆转此种反应降低而对正常肺动脉舒缩反应无明显影响 ;NAC可改善LPS引起的肺动脉内皮细胞超微结构损伤并可逆转LPS引起的肺动脉组织中MDA、NO含量增高和SOD活性降低。结论 :NAC可通过抗氧化作用保护肺动脉内皮细胞并增强肺动脉内皮依赖性舒张反应 ,提示此可能是其发挥抗肺动脉压增高从而改善内毒素所致肺损伤的机制之一。     

核因子-κB在脂多糖诱导大鼠心肌血红素加氧酶-1基因表达中的作用

目的：观察核因子-κB（NF-κB）在脂多糖（LPS）诱导大鼠心肌血红素加氧酶-1（HO-1）表达中的作用,探讨其对内毒素休克（ES）的影响。方法：用生理多导仪监测大鼠静脉注射LPS（8mg／Kg）后12h平均动脉压（MAP）变化：用免疫组化方法检测心肌组织NF-κBp65和HO-1蛋白表达的变化;用逆转录多聚酶链反应（RT-PCR）检测心肌组织HO-1基因表达的变化。结果：①LPS组MAP较对照组快速持续降低（P〈0．01）：②LPS可诱导大鼠心肌间质血管内皮细胞和心肌细胞NF-κB阳性表达增强,1／2h和2h表达明显升高,6h和12h逐渐降低;③LPS可诱导大鼠心肌HO-1基因表达上调,2h开始增加,6h达到高峰,12h表达下调;LPS组大鼠心肌间质血管内皮细胞和心肌细胞HO-1蛋白表达在6h明显增强,12h表达减弱。④应用PDTC可明显减轻ES大鼠心肌损伤,并抑制心肌HO-1蛋白和基因表达。结论：LPS活化的心肌NF-κB参与LPS诱导心肌HO-1蛋白和基因高表达的信号转导,可能是导致ES顽固性低血压的机制之一。     

NF-κB抑制剂通过逆转LPS诱导的BMPRⅡ下调改善肺血管重构

动脉性肺动脉高压(pulmonary arterial hypertension, PAH)的发生、发展与骨形态发生蛋白受体II型(bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II, BMPRII)编码基因的遗传突变和核因子κB (nuclear factorκB, NF-κB)通路介导的炎症反应密切相关。本文旨在研究NF-κB通路抑制剂对脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide, LPS)诱导的肺动脉内皮细胞损伤的作用。用1μg/mL的LPS处理人肺动脉内皮细胞,用免疫印迹和qPCR检测BMPRII和白介素8 (interleukin-8, IL-8)的表达水平。腹腔注射野百合碱(monocrotaline, MCT)建立大鼠PAH模型,用免疫荧光染色法检测肺动脉内皮细胞BMPRII和IL-8的表达情况,检测模型大鼠心脏血流动力学变化和肺血管重构情况。结果显示,LPS可引起人肺动脉内皮细胞BMPRII的表达下调和IL-8的表达上调,NF-κB抑制剂BAY11-7082 (10μmol/L)可逆转LPS的作用。在MCT-PAH大鼠模型中,肺动脉内皮细胞BMPRII表达下调,IL-8表达上调,右心室/(左心室+室间隔)重量比值[weight ratio of right ventricle to left ventricle plus septum, RV/(LV+S)]和右心室收缩压(right ventricular systolic pressure, RVSP)显著升高,心输出量(cardiac output, CO)和三尖瓣环收缩期位移(tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, TAPSE)明显降低,肺血管壁明显增厚,连续21天腹腔注射BAY11-7082 (5 mg/kg)可逆转上述变化。以上结果提示,LPS通过NF-κB信号通路下调BMPRII的表达水平,促进PAH的发生、发展,因此NF-κB信号通路可作为PAH潜在治疗靶点。     

褪黑素对脂多糖诱导血管内皮细胞损伤的保护机制研究

目的：研究褪黑素（melatonin,MLT）对人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVECs）损伤的保护作用及其机制探讨。方法：不同浓度的褪黑素作用于体外培养的内皮细胞脂质过氧化损伤模型,实验分为5组,即正常对照组（Ctrl）,脂多糖（LPS）氧化损伤组：在培养基中加入2mmol／L的LPS诱导损伤4h;LPS加MLT低剂量（200t~mol／L）组、中剂量（400ixmol／L）组、高剂量（600txmol／L）gai。采用MTT法观察MET对HUVECs活性的影响;用双波长荧光分光光度法测定HUVECs细胞内游离钙离子浓度;检测各组内皮细胞匀浆中丙二醛（MDA）含量及超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH·Px）活性;用ELISA法测定培养的细胞上清液中白细胞介素6（IL．6）表达的变化;并测定细胞凋亡率。结果：①LPS作用后血管内皮细胞损伤明显,细胞增殖减少,细胞培养上清液和细胞匀浆中MDA含量、细胞内钙离子浓度和IL．6均升高,SOD、GSH-Px活性下降,凋亡率可达38．9±1．1％,均与正常对照组有统计学差异（P〈0．01）;②加入MET可明显减轻LPS对抗氧化酶SOD、GSH—Px的影响,同时MDA含量、细胞内钙离子浓度和几一6均明显下降,并显著减少凋亡细胞数量,各指标差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论：褪黑素可保护和修复LPS引起的血管内皮细胞损伤,其作用途径可能与保护细胞的线粒体,提高了该细胞的抗氧化酶活性,降低细胞内钙离子浓度作用有关。     

多种因素参与了脂多糖诱导兔肺动脉反应性的变化

为探讨内毒素休克时肺动脉高压的发生机制,实验观察了N-乙酰半胱氨酸(N-acetylcysteine,NAC)、NO及CO在脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)诱导的肺动脉反应性变化中的作用.用雄性家兔24只,制备约3 mm宽的肺动脉环.实验结果显示LPS孵育7 h后,肺动脉对1 μmol/L乙酰胆碱介导的内皮依赖性舒张反应降低,但对非内皮依赖性舒张剂硝普钠的反应性无明显改变.自由基清除剂(NAC)、L-精氨酸(NO供体)和氯化血红素(CO供体)可分别减轻LPS的上述作用.而应用血红素氧合酶-1(heme oxygenase-1,HO-1)阻断剂锌原卟啉抑制CO产生后则增强LPS的上述作用.N-硝基-L-精氨酸甲酯(L-NAME,一氧化氮合酶抑制剂)抑制NO的产生后使各组肺动脉对乙酰胆碱的反应由舒张变为收缩,对1 μmol/L苯肾上腺素的收缩反应显著增强,说明NO和CO在肺动脉反应性改变中发挥重要作用.上述结果提示抗氧化或给予NO、CO可显著改善LPS引起的内皮依赖性舒张反应减弱.周此,多种因素参与了本实验中内毒素引起的肺动脉高压的发生.     

脂多糖直接损伤血管内皮细胞后内皮细胞膜脂的修饰

我们前期的研究显示,脂多糖（lipopolysaccharide,LPS）直接损伤人脐静脉血管内皮细胞（human umbilical vein endothelial cell,HUVEC）后,HUVEC膜粘度随LPS浓度的增加而增大,这暗示LPS可能改变HUVEC的膜结构和组成。本文旨在研究LPS直接损伤HUVEC后内皮细胞膜脂的修饰。用高效毛细管电泳（high performance capillary electrophoresis,HPCE)污测定HUVEC膜磷脂组成,HUVEC用不同浓度（O、0.3125、0.625、1.25、2.5、5、7、8.5、9、10μg/ml）的LPS无血清培养液直接损伤3h;用含LPS（0.625μg/ml）的无血清培养液直接损伤1、3、6、12、24、48h。结果显示：在3h LPS的作用下,HUVEC的总磷脂含量随LPS浓度的增加而增加,在0.625μg/ml LPS的浓度条件下,HUVEC的总磷脂含量随LPS作用时间的延长而降低;LPS的作用浓度和作用时间对磷脂酰鞘磷脂（SM）、磷脂酰乙醇胺（PE）以及磷脂酰丝氨酸（PS）的含量影响不大。LPS激活膜磷脂代谢的反应特性表现出典型的酶促动力学特性。实验结果表明,LPS可直接激活血管内皮细胞膜磷脂代谢,诱导HUVEC膜磷脂的修饰,提示LPS直接损伤血管内皮细胞HUVEC的途径可能与膜结构组成及膜脂代谢有关。     

内源性一氧化氮在内毒素引起的肺动脉高压和肺损伤中的作用

本实验观察了家兔静脉内注入内毒素的主要成分脂多糖(LPS)后平均动脉血压(MAP)、肺动脉压(PAP)及入、出肺血NO含量的变化,并观察了静脉内预注入NO生成抑制剂Nω-硝基-L-精氨酸(L-NNA)及诱生型NO生成抑制剂氨基胍(AG)后PAP和肺损伤的变化.结果观察到:家兔LPS注入后,MAP均明显下降,LPS注入后0.5、1、1.5、2h PAP明显增高(P<0.05).LPS注入后PAP的高峰期(1h)入肺血NO含量明显降低,出肺血NO无明显变化.与对照组相比,LPS注入后3h出肺血NO含量和5h入、出肺血NO含量均明显增多.相关分析表明,兔LPS注入前和LPS注入后1h PAP与入肺血NO含量呈明显的负相关,而LPS注入后 3h和5h两者相关不明显.静脉预注入L-NNA后,LPS处理组的动物PAP明显增高,入、出肺血丙二醛(MDA)含量也明显增高,动物生存率明显降低.肺组织光镜下可见肺萎陷和小血管淤血加重,白细胞明显增加.静脉预注入AG后,LPS处理组的动物MAP在3～5h明显增高,此时PAP无明显改变,但5h时血中MDA含量明显减低,5h时与LPS组相比肺萎陷和小血管淤血减轻,白细胞也明显减少.以上结果提示,内毒素入血后较早期阶段可出现PAP的升高,此时入肺血NO的减少是参与肺动脉压增高(PAH)的机制之一.家兔内毒素进入血后较早期阶段NO对减轻内毒素引起的PAH和肺损伤起重要作用,而较晚的时期当诱生型NO合酶(iNOS)诱生后释放的NO则参与内毒素引起的肺组织炎症反应和肺损伤.     

内源性过氧亚硝基阴离子介导脂多糖导致肺动脉内皮细胞损伤

在培养的牛肺动脉内皮细胞(bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells,BPAECs)水平上,观察脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)对BPAECs诱生过氧亚硝基阴离子(peroxynitrite,ONOO~-)能力及内皮源性ONOO~-在LPS致BPAECs损伤中的作用。结果显示:(1)LPS剂量依赖性地引起BPAECs诱生ONOO~-生成标志物硝基酪氨酸(nitrotyrosine,NT)的荧光强度(即ONOO~-)明显增多,NT阳性细胞数和百分率也明显增多或增高(P<0.05);iNOS选择性抑制剂氨基胍(AG)明显抑制LPS诱生ONOO~-增多(P<0.05),而NT阳性细胞数和百分率分别减少或降低,但无明显差异。(2)在LPS作用下BPAECs培养上清中的MDA含量和LDH活性明显增多和增高,呈现剂量依赖性效应。加AG后MDA含量明显降低(P<0.001),LDH活性呈降低趋势。(3)LPS可诱导BPAECs凋亡明显增多,用EB荧光染色后可见细胞染色质浓集、核变小等凋亡征象。AG可导致LPS引起的BPAECs凋亡明显减少,但仍明显高于溶剂组。LPS可导致BPAECs线粒体呼吸抑制及膜电位下降。上述结果表明,LPS可引起BPAECs生成ONOO~-增多,ONOO~-参与介导LPS所致BPAECs过氧化损伤与细胞凋亡。     

NO在CCK—8减轻肿瘤坏死因子诱导兔肺动脉反应性变化中的作用

为探讨八肽胆囊收缩素（CCK－8）缓解内毒素休克时肺动脉高压的作用机制,应用离体血管环张力测定技术及一氧化氮合酶（NOS）检测方法,观察了一氧化氮（NO）在CCK－8减轻肿瘤坏死因子－α（tumor necrosis factor-al-pha,TNF-α）的抑制肺动脉内皮依赖性舒张反应中的作用。结果显示：TNF－α（4000U／ml）孵育2h时,肺动脉对10^-6mol/L苯肾上腺素(phenylephrine,PE）和10^-6mol/L乙酰胆碱（ACh）的收缩反应及内皮依赖性舒张反应均无明显变化。TNF－α孵育7或14h时,肺动脉对10^-6mol/L ACh介导的内皮依赖性舒张反应降低,CCK－8（0.5μg/ml）可逆转TNF－α的上述作用,CCK－8本身对正常肺动脉反应性无明显影响。TNF－α、CCK－8对PE引起的收缩反应无显著影响。L－精氨酸（L－Arg）可使TNF－α7h内皮依赖性舒张作用恢复。氨基胍（AG）不影响各组肺动脉对10^-6mol/L ACh的内皮依赖性舒张反应,而使TNF－α组肺动脉环对10^-6mol/L PE的收缩反应显著增加。L－硝基精氨酸（L－NNA）使各组肺动脉环对10^-6mol/L ACh反应由舒张变为收缩,对10^-6mol/L PE的收缩反应显著增强。检测7h各组NOS活性,TNF－α组、TNF－α＋CCK－8组均较对照组显著增加,CCK－8组与对照组比较无显著差异。上述结果提示,CCK－8可逆转TNF－α对内皮依赖性舒张反应的抑制作用,此作用可能与NO有关。     

Preconditioning decreases ischemia/reperfusion-induced peroxynitrite formation

The role for peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) in the mechanism of preconditioning is not known. Therefore, we studied effects of preconditioning and subsequent ischemia/reperfusion on myocardial ONOO(-) formation in isolated rat hearts. Hearts were subjected to a preconditioning protocol (three intermittent periods of global ischemia/reperfusion of 5 min duration each) followed by a test ischemia/reperfusion (30 min global ischemia and 15 min reperfusion). When compared to nonpreconditioned controls, preceding preconditioning improved postischemic cardiac performance and significantly decreased test ischemia/reperfusion-induced formation of free nitrotyrosine measured in the perfusate as a marker for cardiac endogenous ONOO(-) formation. During preconditioning, however, the first period of ischemia/reperfusion increased nitrotyrosine formation, which was attenuated after the third period of ischemia/reperfusion. We conclude that classic preconditioning inhibits ischemia/reperfusion-induced cardiac formation of ONOO(-) and that subsequent periods of ischemia/reperfusion result in a gradual attenuation of ischemia/reperfusion-induced ONOO(-) generation. This mechanism might be involved in ischemic adaptation of the heart.     

Beneficial pulmonary effects of a metalloporphyrinic peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst in burn and smoke inhalation injury

During acute lung injury, nitric oxide (NO) exerts cytotoxic effects by reacting with superoxide radicals, yielding the reactive nitrogen species peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)). ONOO(-) exerts cytotoxic effects, among others, by nitrating/nitrosating proteins and lipids, by activating the nuclear repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and inducing VEGF. Here we tested the effect of the ONOO(-) decomposition catalyst INO-4885 on the development of lung injury in chronically instrumented sheep with combined burn and smoke inhalation injury. The animals were randomized to a sham-injured group (n = 7), an injured control group [48 breaths of cotton smoke, 3rd-degree burn of 40% total body surface area (n = 7)], or an injured group treated with INO-4885 (n = 6). All sheep were mechanically ventilated and fluid-resuscitated according to the Parkland formula. The injury-related increases in the abundance of 3-nitrotyrosine, a marker of protein nitration by ONOO(-), were prevented by INO-4885, providing evidence for the neutralization of ONOO(-) action by the compound. Burn and smoke injury induced a significant drop in arterial Po(2)-to-inspired O(2) fraction ratio and significant increases in pulmonary shunt fraction, lung lymph flow, lung wet-to-dry weight ratio, and ventilatory pressures; all these changes were significantly attenuated by INO-4885 treatment. In addition, the increases in IL-8, VEGF, and poly(ADP-ribose) in lung tissue were significantly attenuated by the ONOO(-) decomposition catalyst. In conclusion, the current study suggests that ONOO(-) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary microvascular hyperpermeability and pulmonary dysfunction following burn and smoke inhalation injury in sheep. Administration of an ONOO(-) decomposition catalyst may represent a potential treatment option for this injury.     

Activation of p38 MAPK induced peroxynitrite generation in LPS plus IFN-gamma-stimulated rat primary astrocytes via activation of iNOS and NADPH oxidase

We have shown that immunostimulated astrocytes produce excess nitric oxide (NO) and eventually peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) that was closely associated with the glucose deprivation-potentiated death of astrocytes. The present study shows that activated p38 MAPK regulates ONOO(-) generation from lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-stimulated astrocytes. LPS+IFN-gamma-induced p38 MAPK activation and ONOO(-) generation were attenuated by SB203580 or SKF-86002, specific inhibitors of p38 MAPK. ONOO(-) generation was blocked by NADPH oxidase inhibitor, diphenyleneiodonium chloride, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, suggesting both enzymes are involved in ONOO(-) generation. Inhibition of p38 MAPK suppressed LPS+IFN-gamma-induced NO production through down-regulating inducible form of NOS expression. It also suppressed LPS+IFN-gamma-induced NADPH oxidase activation and eventually, the inducible form of superoxide production. Transfection with dominant negative vector of p38 alpha reduced LPS+IFN-gamma-induced ONOO(-) generation through blocking both iNOS-derived NO production and NADPH oxidase-derived O2(-) production. Our results suggest that activated p38 MAPK may serve as a potential signaling molecule in ONOO(-) generation through dual regulatory mechanisms, involving iNOS induction and NADPH oxidase activation.     

Interaction between nitric oxide,reactive oxygen intermediates,and peroxynitrite in the regulation of 5-lipoxygenase metabolism

We have shown that overnight lipopolysaccharide (LPS) suppresses alveolar macrophage (AM) leukotriene (LT) synthesis mediated in part by induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NO production. Here we examined the possibility that reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) generated by LPS pretreatment contribute to the suppression of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) metabolism. Pretreatment of AM with xanthine/xanthine oxidase, which generates high concentrations of ROI, resulted in suppression of LT synthetic capacity. Since NO and ROI reactive species are known to react and form peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)), we examined the effect of ONOO(-) on 5-LO metabolism. Exogenous ONOO(-) caused a dose-dependent suppression of recombinant 5-LO cell-free activity. ONOO(-) also suppressed LT synthesis in intact AM, which was reversed by the ONOO(-) scavenger tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphyrin. ONOO(-) treatment also resulted in dose-dependent nitrotyrosination and S-nitrosylation of the recombinant 5-LO enzyme. Since the direct 5-LO inhibitor zileuton prevents the LPS-induced suppression of LT synthesis, we examined if 5-LO itself was the source of ROI. Zileuton reduced ROI generation in LPS-treated cells. These studies identify an important role for ROI and ONOO(-) in the suppression of 5-LO metabolism by LPS.     

Endotoxaemia in rats: role of leukocyte sequestration in rapid pulmonary nitric oxide synthase-2 expression.

Nitric oxide (NO), depending on the amount, time and source of generation may exert both, protective and deleterious actions during endotoxic acute lung injury (ALI). Evaluation of the expression and localization of NOS isoforms in the lung of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats may contribute to understanding the role of NO in pathogenesis of ALI. Tissue samples (lung, heart, liver, kidney and spleen) as well as peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) were collected from control male Wistar rats and LPS - treated animals, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after LPS injection (2 mg kg(-1) min(-1) for 10 minutes, i.v.). Levels of NOS-2 and NOS-3 mRNA and protein in tissues and PMNs were estimated by RT-PCR, Northern blotting and Western blotting. Additionally, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in tissue samples was assayed. NOS-3 mRNA as well as protein were detected in lungs of control animals; pulmonary NOS-3 expression was not influenced by LPS. The induction of NOS-2 mRNA in rat lungs and in PMNs isolated from peripheral blood was observed 15 minutes after LPS challenge. In contrast, increase of NOS-2 mRNA in the heart, kidneys, liver and spleen was observed 2-3 hours after LPS injection. In all tissues rise in NOS-2 mRNA was followed after 1-2 hours by increase of NOS-2 protein. Importantly, progressive leukocyte sequestration in the lung parenchyma that started as early as 15 min after LPS injection was revealed only in the lungs; in other organs no significant changes in MPO activity were detected up to 180 min after LPS injection. In conclusion, infusion of LPS caused much more rapid expression of NOS-2 in lungs as compared to the heart, kidneys, liver and spleen. Early induction of NOS-2 may depend on the LPS-stimulated rapid neutrophil sequestration within lung vasculature and fast induction of NOS-2 in sequestrated neutrophils.     

Immunotargeting of glucose oxidase to endothelium in vivo causes oxidative vascular injury in the lungs

Vascular immunotargeting is a novel approach for site-selective drug delivery to endothelium. To validate the strategy, we conjugated glucose oxidase (GOX) via streptavidin with antibodies to the endothelial cell surface antigen platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM). Previous work documented that 1) anti-PECAM-streptavidin carrier accumulates in the lungs after intravenous injection in animals and 2) anti-PECAM-GOX binds to, enters, and kills endothelium via intracellular H(2)O(2) generation in cell culture. In the present work, we studied the targeting and effect of anti-PECAM-GOX in animals. Anti-PECAM-GOX, but not IgG-GOX, accumulated in the isolated rat lungs, produced H(2)O(2,) and caused endothelial injury manifested by a fourfold elevation of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in the perfusate. In intact mice, anti-PECAM-GOX accumulated in the lungs (27 +/- 9 vs. 2.4 +/- 0.3% injected dose/g for IgG-GOX) and caused severe lung injury and 95% lethality within hours after intravenous injection. Endothelial disruption and blebbing, elevated lung wet-to-dry ratio, and interstitial and alveolar edema indicated that anti-PECAM-GOX damaged pulmonary endothelium. The vascular injury in the lungs was associated with positive immunostaining for iPF(2alpha)-III isoprostane, a marker for oxidative stress. In contrast, IgG-GOX caused a minor lung injury and little (5%) lethality. Anti-PECAM conjugated with inert proteins induced no death or lung injury. None of the conjugates caused major injury to other internal organs. These results indicate that an immunotargeting strategy can deliver an active enzyme to selected target cells in intact animals. Anti-PECAM-GOX provides a novel model of oxidative injury to the pulmonary endothelium in vivo.     

Oxygen radicals and antioxidant enzymes alter pulmonary vascular reactivity in the rat lung

It has been postulated that changes in the availability of partially reduced O2 species, such as O2 radicals, could serve as a link between PO2 in the alveolus and pulmonary vascular tone (Herz 11: 127-141, 1986). To assess this hypothesis, the hemodynamic effects of acute changes in the balance between the production of O2 radicals and availability of antioxidant enzymes were studied in the isolated perfused rat lung. Intravascular generation of O2 radicals, by administration of xanthine-xanthine oxidase, decreased the pulmonary vascular pressor response to alveolar hypoxia (-55 +/- 5%) and angiotensin II (-58 +/- 10%, P less than 0.01 for each) in isolated perfused rat lungs without increasing the lung wet-to-dry weight ratio. Decreases in pulmonary vascular reactivity were inhibited by pretreatment of the lung with desferrioxamine or a mixture of catalase and superoxide dismutase. Catalase and superoxide dismutase preserved the hypoxic pressor response whether given in liposomes or in dissolved form. Superoxide dismutase administered free in solution, or combined with catalase in liposomes, increased the normoxic pulmonary arterial pressure and enhanced vascular reactivity to angiotensin II and hypoxia. Lungs treated with antioxidant enzymes in liposomes had 50% higher lung catalase levels than control lungs (P less than 0.05). These findings demonstrate that exogenous partially reduced O2 species can decrease pulmonary vascular reactivity and suggest that endogenous radicals, superoxide radical in particular, might be important in modulating pulmonary vascular tone.     

Reversal of pulmonary hypoxic vasoconstriction with pentoxifylline and aminophylline in isolated lungs

Pentoxifylline (Pent) is a xanthine known to improve erythrocyte deformability and thought to have little effect on smooth muscle tone. In this study I examined the direct effects of Pent on the pulmonary vasculature of isolated lungs and compared them with the effects of aminophylline. The object was to study whether Pent can reverse the hypoxic pressor response (HPR) by its hemorheological property. Changes in pulmonary arterial pressure (Pa) of isolated lungs (pigs and rats) perfused at constant flow rate were monitored to reflect changes in vascular resistance. During normoxia, injection of Pent (5 mg/kg animal weight) in pig lungs depressed the Pa from 12.8 +/- 1.8 to 8.1 +/- 0.8 mmHg (1 mmHg = 133.3 Pa); whereas during hypoxia, Pa was depressed from 34.0 +/- 2.3 to 12.3 +/- 1.4 mmHg. To identify the mechanism of this vasodepressor effect (being either vasodilation or improved erythrocyte deformability), I tested the effect of Pent in lungs perfused with cell-free perfusate. In these plasma-perfused lungs, the vasodepressor effects of Pent were similar to those observed during blood perfusion (slight depression in Pa during normoxia, but large during hypoxia). Similar experiments in blood and plasma perfused pig lungs revealed that aminophylline (5 mg/kg) also produced similar vasodepressor responses. The effects of Pent in rat lungs were comparable; no effect during normoxia, but a depressor effect during hypoxia. Vasoconstriction in pig lungs induced by angiotensin infusion was also abolished by Pent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)