A comparison of organic and inorganic nitrates/nitrites

Although both organic and inorganic nitrates/nitrites mediate their principal effects via nitric oxide, there are many important differences. Inorganic nitrate and nitrite have simple ionic structures and are produced endogenously and are present in the diet, whereas their organic counterparts are far more complex, and, with the exception of ethyl nitrite, are all medicinally synthesised products. These chemical differences underlie the differences in pharmacokinetic properties allowing for different modalities of administration, particularly of organic nitrates, due to the differences in their bioavailability and metabolic profiles. Whilst the enterosalivary circulation is a key pathway for orally ingested inorganic nitrate, preventing an abrupt effect or toxic levels of nitrite and prolonging the effects, this is not used by organic nitrates. The pharmacodynamic differences are even greater; while organic nitrates have potent acute effects causing vasodilation, inorganic nitrite's effects are more subtle and dependent on certain conditions. However, in chronic use, organic nitrates are considerably limited by the development of tolerance and endothelial dysfunction, whereas inorganic nitrate/nitrite may compensate for diminished endothelial function, and tolerance has not been reported. Also, while inorganic nitrate/nitrite has important cytoprotective effects against ischaemia-reperfusion injury, continuous use of organic nitrates may increase injury. While there are concerns that inorganic nitrate/nitrite may induce carcinogenesis, direct evidence of this in humans is lacking. While organic nitrates may continue to dominate the therapeutic arena, this may well change with the increasing recognition of their limitations, and ongoing discovery of beneficial effects and specific advantages of inorganic nitrate/nitrite.     

Precursors of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds in Lake Peipsi

The concentration of precursors of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds, nitrates and nitrites as well as ammonia, in the surface water of Lake Peipsi and its tributaries has been determined during the period 1985–1988. The nitrate and nitrite content was also analysed in bottom sediments and fish from the lake.The nitrate concentration in the water of Lake Peipsi varied from 0.01 to 2.33 mg NO₃&z.sbnd;N l^–1, the average value from 0.27 to 1.60 mg NO₃&z.sbnd;N l^–1, with the lowest concentrations in summer. The variations may be caused by different pollution loads, meteorological conditions, and assimilation of nitrates by plants and algae.The nitrate content in the water of rivers was on an average somewhat higher in comparison with its concentrations in the lake. The concentrations of nitrites were, as a rule, about an order of magnitude lower than those of nitrates. The amount of ammonia varied from 0.15 to 0.36 mg NH₄&z.sbnd;N l^–1.At present the concentrations of the studied nitrogen compounds are not essential and do not prevent from using the lake for recreation and drinking water supply.     

Kinetics of nitrogen removal from sanitary landfill leachate

Leachates from municipal landfill ‘Lublinek‘ in Lodz city (Poland) were treated in two-sludge sequence batch reactor systems (type ND). The external carbon source—sodium acetate was used in denitrification. Two versions were tested—with and without supernatant recirculation from D-SBR to N-SBR. The 99% removal of inorganic nitrogen compounds was achieved in both versions. Due to recirculation, the buffering (by means of sodium bicarbonate) was not necessary. Kinetic models for nitrification and denitrification processes were proposed. Kinetic parameters of the models were estimated by the optimization method. The experimental results of both nitrification steps (oxidation of ammonia to nitrites and nitrites to nitrates) were best fitted with the interactive limitation model of nitrogen compounds and oxygen. The denitrification process was limited only by the concentration of nitrogen compounds.     

Nitrate Reduction to Nitrite,Nitric Oxide and Ammonia by Gut Bacteria under Physiological Conditions

The biological nitrogen cycle involves step-wise reduction of nitrogen oxides to ammonium salts and oxidation of ammonia back to nitrites and nitrates by plants and bacteria. Neither process has been thought to have relevance to mammalian physiology; however in recent years the salivary bacterial reduction of nitrate to nitrite has been recognized as an important metabolic conversion in humans. Several enteric bacteria have also shown the ability of catalytic reduction of nitrate to ammonia via nitrite during dissimilatory respiration; however, the importance of this pathway in bacterial species colonizing the human intestine has been little studied. We measured nitrite, nitric oxide (NO) and ammonia formation in cultures of Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species grown at different sodium nitrate concentrations and oxygen levels. We found that the presence of 5 mM nitrate provided a growth benefit and induced both nitrite and ammonia generation in E.coli and L.plantarum bacteria grown at oxygen concentrations compatible with the content in the gastrointestinal tract. Nitrite and ammonia accumulated in the growth medium when at least 2.5 mM nitrate was present. Time-course curves suggest that nitrate is first converted to nitrite and subsequently to ammonia. Strains of L.rhamnosus, L.acidophilus and B.longum infantis grown with nitrate produced minor changes in nitrite or ammonia levels in the cultures. However, when supplied with exogenous nitrite, NO gas was readily produced independently of added nitrate. Bacterial production of lactic acid causes medium acidification that in turn generates NO by non-enzymatic nitrite reduction. In contrast, nitrite was converted to NO by E.coli cultures even at neutral pH. We suggest that the bacterial nitrate reduction to ammonia, as well as the related NO formation in the gut, could be an important aspect of the overall mammalian nitrate/nitrite/NO metabolism and is yet another way in which the microbiome links diet and health.     

Ultrasound induced the formation of nitric oxide and nitrosonium ions in water and aqueous solutions

Nitric oxide, nitrosonium ions, nitrites, and nitrates are formed in water saturated with air under the action of ultrasound. Nitrosonium ions react with water and hydrogen peroxide to form nitrites and nitrates in sonicated solution, correspondingly. Nitric oxide is practically completely released from sonicated water into the atmosphere and reacts with air oxygen, forming NOx compounds. The oxidation of nitric oxide in aqueous medium by hydroxyl radicals and dissolved oxygen is a minor route of the formation of nitrites and nitrates in ultrasonic field.     

Low density lipoprotein inhibits accumulation of nitrites in murine brain endothelial cell cultures.

Endothelial cells produce nitric oxide which is considered to serve as a major source of endothelial derived relaxing factor activity. It has been demonstrated that activation of mouse brain endothelium by TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma led to accumulation of nitrite which is presumably formed by oxidation of nitric oxide. A number of studies suggest that reactive oxygen species produced by cytokine-activated cells are involved in the conversion of nitric oxide to nitrites and nitrates. We investigated whether low density lipoprotein (LDL), acting as a radical scavenger, is able to inhibit nitrite accumulation in mouse brain endothelial cell cultures and in a cell-free system in which sodium nitroprusside was used as a source of nitric oxide. A comparison of these two models indicates the active involvement of LDL in suppressing nitrite accumulation in murine endothelial cultures.     

腌制肉中亚硝酸盐抑菌机理的研究进展

亚硝酸盐是内制品中常用的食品添加剂,具有发色、抑菌、改善风味和质构等作用,特别是亚硝酸盐能够有效的防止内毒梭状杆菌的生长,但是亚硝酸盐具有毒性,亚硝酸根与肉类中的胺类物质反应生成致癌物亚硝胺,使亚硝酸盐的使用受到限制。已有许多亚硝酸盐抑菌机理的研究报道,本文综述了亚硝酸盐作用的微生物、腌制成分和其它因素对亚硝酸盐押菌作用的影响、以及亚硝酸盐抑菌分子机理的研究进展,并对亚硝酸盐作用机理的研究方向进行了展望。     

The efficiency of a closed-loop chemical-free water treatment system for cyprinid fish farms

The study presented has been carried out to evaluate the treatment performance, fish production and water consumption of a closed-loop chemical-free water treatment system for small-scale cyprinid fish farms. The closed-loop system consisted of a 36 m³ experimental pond (Pond A) with initial carp load of 1 kg/m³ (34 Cyprinus c. carpio); of a treatment train (TT) with a roughing filter (RF), glass fibre filters (GFF), and UV-C units (UV); and of an ultrasound unit (US) installed in the corner of the pond. The average circulation of the water in the closed-loop system was 2.3 times per day. Pond A was compared with a control pond (Pond B) of the same dimensions and fish load but with no TT or US. The TT was efficient in the removal of total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total coliforms (TC), and faecal coliforms (FC), reaching 35%, 42%, 33%, 37%, 91% and 91% removal, respectively. The majority of pollutant removal took place in the RF, while the GFF contributed mostly to the removal of TC and FC. UV did not contribute to the removal of bacteria, mostly due to low TC and FC inputs. The removal of nutrients in the TT (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, total phosphorous and orto-phosphate) was not efficient. Despite this, Pond A had markedly lower nutrient concentrations compared to Pond B, and all the mean values of the measured parameters except nitrites and total phosphorous in Pond A were below legislation limit. Specific growth rate and fish body weight increase in Pond A were higher than in Pond B (0.3%/day, 0.2%/day, 152% and 115%, respectively) indicating better rearing conditions in Pond A. However, fish showed with 2.8 in Pond A and 3.3 in Pond B poor feed conversion rate over warm months. Higher water consumption in Pond A was due to various interventions during the pilot operation that can be reduced in normal operation. The results showed that the closed-loop system presented could be useful for semi-natural fish farming of 1-2 kg fish/m³. However, the system should be improved with regular sedimented algae removal to avoid nutrient accumulation.     

GH-releasing peptide-2 administration prevents liver inflammatory response in endotoxemia

It has been reported that growth hormone (GH)-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2), a ghrelin receptor agonist, has an anti-inflammatory effect. We investigated whether this GH secretagogue attenuates liver injury in LPS-treated rats. Wistar rats were simultaneously injected (ip) with LPS (1 mg/kg) and/or GHRP-2 (100 microg/kg). Serum levels of aspartate and alanine transaminases were measured as an index of liver damage. Circulating nitrites/nitrates and hepatic IGF-I and TNF-alpha were evaluated as possible mediators of GHRP-2 actions. LPS increased serum levels of transaminases and nitrites/nitrates. Moreover, LPS increased hepatic TNF-alpha and decreased hepatic IGF-I mRNAs. GHRP-2 administration attenuated the effects of LPS on transaminases, nitrites/nitrates, TNF-alpha, and IGF-I in vivo. This GHRP-2 effect does not seem to be due to modifications in food intake, since fasting did not modify serum levels of transaminases, serum nitrites/nitrates, and hepatic TNF-alpha mRNA both in vehicle rats and in LPS-injected rats. To elucidate whether GHRP-2 is acting directly on the liver, cocultures of hepatocytes and nonparenchymal cells and monocultures of isolated hepatocytes were incubated with LPS and GHRP-2. The ghrelin receptor agonist prevented an endotoxin-induced increase in transaminases and nitrite/nitrate release as well as in TNF-alpha mRNA and increased IGF-I mRNA from cocultures of hepatocytes and nonparenchymal cells, but not from monocultures. In summary, these data indicate that GHRP-2 has a protective effect on the liver in LPS-injected rats that seems to be mediated by IGF-I, TNF-alpha, and nitric oxide. Our data also suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of GHRP-2 in the liver is exerted on nonparenchymal cells.     

Measurement of potential activity of fixed nitrifying bacteria in biological filters used in drinking water production

Nitrification during biological filtration is being used more and more in drinking water production to remove ammonia, which can be the source of several water quality problems during distribution. In this process, ammonia is converted into nitrite and then into nitrate by fixed autotrophic nitrifying bacteria. The purpose of this work was to develop a technique to estimate fixed nitrifying biomass (sum of ammonia- and nitrite-oxidizing populations). The quantification of autotrophic nitrifying biomass was determined by potential nitrifying activity measurement. The production of oxidized forms of inorganic nitrogen (nitrates and nitrites) was measured after an incubation of 2 cm³ of colonized solid support in the presence of a 5-ml nitrifier medium containing 10 mg N-NH₄ L⁻¹ for 30 min at 32°C. The production rate of oxidized nitrogen in optimal conditions was measured and converted into nitrifying biomass by using the maximum specific oxidizing activity. This technique was shown to be appropriate for conditions encountered in the biological filters used in drinking water production and sufficiently simple to be used for routine measurements. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 24, 161–166. Received 28 July 1999/ Accepted in revised form 11 November 1999     

Nitrotyrosine and nitrate/nitrite levels in cardiac arrest survivors treated with endovascular hypothermia

The protective effect of therapeutic hypothermia in cardiac arrest survivors (CAS) has been previously well documented. Animal studies have indicated that attenuation of tissue oxidative stress (OS) may be involved in the mechanisms that lead to the beneficial effect of hypothermia. The extent of OS and nitric oxide (NO) production in adult CAS treated with endovascular hypothermia is, however, unknown. A total of 11 adult patients who experienced cardiac arrest out of hospital were included in the present study, and all were treated with mild hypothermia using the Thermogard XP (Alsius, USA) endovascular system. A target core temperature of 33 °C was maintained for 24 hours, with a subsequent rewarming rate of 0.15 °C per hour, followed by normothermia at 36.8 °C. Blood samples for the measurement of nitrotyrosine and nitrate/nitrite levels were drawn at admission and every 6 hours thereafter for two days. During the hypothermic period, the levels of nitrotyrosine and nitrates/nitrites were comparable with baseline values. During the rewarming period, serum levels of both parameters gradually increased and, during the normothermic period, the levels were significantly higher compared with hypothermic levels (nitrotyrosine, P<0.001; nitrates/nitrites, P<0.05). In our study, significantly lower levels of nitrotyrosine and nitrates/nitrites were demonstrated during hypothermia compared with levels during the normothermic period in adult CAS. These data suggest that attenuation of OS and NO production may be involved in the protective effect of hypothermia in adult CAS.     

Effect of dehydration on nitric oxide, corticotropic and vasopressinergic axis in rat

Effect of dehydration on nitric oxide, corticotropic and vasopressinergic axis in rat. The purpose of our work is to study, in the male 'Wistar' rat, the effects of a chronic dehydration, by deprivation of water for three days out of four, during four repeated cycles, on the evolution of certain blood variables, on the activities of both corticotropic and vasopressinergic axis and on the synthesis of nitric oxide. The chronic dehydration causes a considerable reduction of the body weight, an activation of the vasopressinergic axis and an increase in the circulating rates of the nitrates/nitrites, which represent the final metabolites of the reaction of oxidation of nitric oxide. The pituitary-adrenal axis is not statistically affected by the chronic dehydration. This seems to be in favour of a possible adaptation of corticotropic axis to chronic water deprivation. The activation of synthesis of nitric oxide shows its implication in the regulation of the water balance and its buffer effect on vasoconstriction and hypertension induced by water stress.     

Continuous flow method in soil microbiology

The decomposition of glycine in soil was studied by the continuous flow method. Glycine solution was added continuously to soil samples of different weights, i.e. soil columns of different heights. It was found that the extent of glycine mineralization was related to the weight of the soil. Glycine was nitrified most effectively in the soil sample weighing 30 g., in which 65.8% of the added (91.6% of the retained) glycine nitrogen was oxidized to nitrites and nitrates. No steady state was observed in the rate of nitrite and nitrate formation. The rate of nitrification rose at first, in relation to the weight of the soil, but fell after reaching the maximum. The factor limiting the rate of nitrification was the adsorption of ammonium nitrogen in the soil. By using soil samples of different weights and heights it was found possible to localize the process of ammonia release and the oxidation of ammonia and nitrites in the soil column and to influence the ratio of ammonification and nitrification or of the oxidation of ammonium ions and nitrites.     

Dissolved nitrogen in drinking water resources in Al-Mahareth village of Assir – Saudi Arabia

A water quality study was carried out on ground water wells, which serve as drinking water sources in farming communities in Al-Mahareth village of Assir region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The objective of this research was to determine concentrations of different forms of nitrogen in drinking water samples. Water samples were collected from these sources every 3 months (from January to December 2008) and analyzed for ammonia, nitrate and nitrite using the Plaintest Photometer Method. Results indicated that the annual mean concentration of nitrate, nitrite and ammonia varied from 23.09 to 25.06 mg/l, 0.006 to 0.36 mg/l and 0.008 to 0.179 mg/l, respectively. An important observation was that, in general, higher nitrate and nitrite concentrations were found during the rainy season compared to the dry season. Concentrations of these potentially toxic substances were below WHO acceptable limits for surface and ground waters, indicating that these water resources appear safe for drinking from a dissolved nitrogen perspective.     

Nitric oxide metabolites induced in Anopheles stephensi control malaria parasite infection

Malaria parasite infection in anopheline mosquitoes is limited by inflammatory levels of nitric oxide metabolites. To assess the mechanisms of parasite stasis or toxicity, we investigated the biochemistry of these metabolites within the blood-filled mosquito midgut. Our data indicate that nitrates, but not nitrites, are elevated in the Plasmodium-infected midgut. Although levels of S-nitrosothiols do not change with infection, blood proteins are S-nitrosylated after ingestion by the mosquito. In addition, photolyzable nitric oxide, which can be attributed to metal nitrosyls, is elevated after infection and, based on the abundance of hemoglobin, likely includes heme iron nitrosyl. The persistence of oxyhemoglobin throughout blood digestion and changes in hemoglobin conformation in response to infection suggest that hemoglobin catalyzes the synthesis of nitric oxide metabolites in a reducing environment. Provision of urate, a potent reductant and scavenger of oxidants and nitrating agents, as a dietary supplement to mosquitoes increased parasite infection levels relative to allantoin-fed controls, suggesting that nitrosative and/or oxidative stresses negatively impact developing parasites. Collectively, our results reveal a unique role for nitric oxide in an oxyhemoglobin-rich environment. In contrast to facilitating oxygen delivery by hemoglobin in the mammalian vasculature, nitric oxide synthesis in the blood-filled mosquito midgut drives the formation of toxic metabolites that limit parasite development.     

Contamination of human milk with nitrates and nitrites

Human milk nitrates and nitrites were assayed colorimetrically. Colostrum samples were collected on the 3rd postpartum day from 59 women inhabiting Pu?awy region and being potentially exposed to nitrogen compounds emitted from the industrial sources. Thirty five Lublin inhabitants serving as a control group were matched in age, parity and duration of pregnancy. Geometric mean value of nitrates and nitrites concentration in the human milk being 2.83 mg/L and 0.46 mg/L, respectively were higher in the examined group than those in the control group /2.76 mg/L and 0.32 mg/L/ but difference was statistically insignificant. Ratio of nitrates and nitrites in the examined samples was 7.38 on the average and the concentration of those compounds was related statistically significantly /p less than 0.001/. The average daily intake of nitrates and nitrites by the breast-fed neonates was 0.12 mg/kg body weight and 0.02 mg/kg body weight, respectively. These values did not exceed corresponding ADI recommended by the Joint Expert Committee of FAO/WHO in none case. Significantly positive correlation of examined mothers' age and parity with nitrates content in their colostrum was seen. In view of the obtained results is may be assumed that the examined colostrum samples contain low amounts of both nitrates and nitrites.     

铜型亚硝酸还原酶的电子传递模式及催化机理研究进展

亚硝酸还原酶(NiRs)是反硝化过程中的关键作用酶,它使NO2-转变成NO,减轻了水体中的氮污染.根据辅基的不同,NiRs分为血红素cd1型亚硝酸还原酶(cd1-NiRs)和铜型亚硝酸还原酶(Cu-NiRs)两种.Cu-NiRs呈三聚体结构,每个单体都含有两种类型的铜原子,它们在酶催化过程中起着传递电子的重要作用.在催化过程中,Cu-NiRs中部分残基的结构变化有利于催化反应的进行.此文结合Cu-NiRs的最新研究成果,从整体上对其结构特点、电子传递过程及催化机理等研究作了系统地阐述.     

Effects of nitrite on ammonia-oxidizing activity and gene regulation in three ammonia-oxidizing bacteria

Nitrite is the highly toxic end product of ammonia oxidation that accumulates in the absence of a nitrite-consuming process and is inhibitory to nitrifying and other bacteria. The effects of nitrite on ammonia oxidation rates and regulation of a common gene set were compared in three ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) to determine whether responses to this toxic metabolite were uniform. Mid-exponential-phase cells of Nitrosomonas europaea ATCC 19718, Nitrosospira multiformis ATCC 25196, and Nitrosomonas eutropha C-91 were incubated for 6 h in mineral medium supplemented with 0, 10, or 20 mM NaNO(2) . The rates of ammonia oxidation (nitrite production) decreased significantly only in NaNO(2) -supplemented incubations of N. eutropha; no significant effect on the rates was observed for N. europaea or N. multiformis. The levels of norB (nitric oxide reductases), cytL (cytochrome P460), and cytS (cytochrome c'-β) mRNA were unaffected by nitrite in all strains. The levels of nirK (nitrite reductase) mRNA increased only in N. europaea in response to nitrite (10 and 20 mM). Nitrite (20 mM) significantly reduced the mRNA levels of amoA (ammonia monooxygenase) in N. multiformis and norS (nitric oxide reductase) in the two Nitrosomonas spp. Differences in response to nitrite indicated nonuniform adaptive and regulatory strategies of AOB, even between closely related species.     

Taste preferences and feeding behavior in threespine stickleback <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gasterosteus aculeatus</Emphasis> in marine and fresh waters

Taste preferences of four classic taste substances (NaCl, CaCl₂, and sucrose, all—10%; and citric acid—5%), and 21 free amino acids (L-isomers, 0.1–0.001 M) for adult threespine stickebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus is determined in marine and fresh waters. Gustatory responses were compared in the fish caught in marine and placed in marine water or in freshwater and in the fish caught in a stream mouth during spawning migration and in a closed freshwater water body. Taste preferences of threespine sticklebacks depend little on water salinity. Of amino acids, cysteine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid are attractive, as well as glutamine for the fish living permanently in fresh water. Differences in the reaction of fish to agar-agar pellets with NaCl, CaCl₂, and sucrose are considered to be insignificant. Maximum changes occur in the attitude of threespine sticklebacks to citric acid whose taste is palatable to fish in fresh water. It is assumed that the components of marine water render a modifying action on gustatory receptors, the function of receptor cell, and influence susceptibility of fish to the taste of citric acid and, probably, of some other substances. The foraging behavior of fish in fresh water is more active, they consume more pellets, make more numerous repeated grasps, and keep pellets longer in the mouth cavity before swallowing or rejection. It is concluded that, in migratory fish, the abrupt change of external osmotic conditions is not accompanied by noticeable changes on taste preferences and the majority of substances retain their gustatory properties.