Nitric oxide effect on coloncyte metabolism: Co-action of sulfides and peroxide

Luminal levels of nitric oxide/nitrite are high in colitis. Whether nitric oxide is injurious or protective to human colonocytes is unknown and the role of nitric oxide in the genesis of colitis unclear. The aims were to establish whether nitric oxide was injurious to oxidation of substrates (n-butyrate and D-glucose) in isolated human and rat colonocytes both alone and in the presence of hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen peroxide, agents implicated in cell damage of colitis. Nitric oxide generation from S-nitrosoglutathione was measured by nitrite appearance. Colonocytes were isolated and incubated with [1-¹⁴C] butyrate or [6-¹⁴C] glucose and 2.6 M nitric oxide, 1.5 mM sodium hydrogen sulfide or 2.5 mM hydrogen peroxide. Acyl-CoA esters were measured by high performance liquid chromatography, ¹⁴CO₂ radiochemically and lactate/ketones by enzymic methods. Results indicate that nitric oxide very significantly (p < .001) reduced acyl-CoA formation but did not impair ¹⁴CO₂ generation. Peroxide and sulfide with nitric oxide resulted in significant reduction (p < 0.01) of substrate oxidation to CO₂. Sulfide significantly stimulated release of nitric oxide from S-nitrosoglutathione. The principal conclusion is that nitric oxide diminishes CoA metabolism in colonocytes. CoA depletion has been observed in chronic human colitis for which a biochemical explanation has been lacking. For acute injurious action in human colonocytes nitric oxide requires co-action of peroxide and sulfide to impair oxidation of substrates in cells. From current observations treatment of colitis should aim to reduce simultaneously nitric oxide, peroxide and sulfide generation in the colon.     

气体信号分子硫化氢在植物中的生理功能及作用机制

硫化氢（hydrogen sulfide,H2S）是继一氧化氮（nitric oxide,NO）和一氧化碳（carbon monoxide,CO）之后发现的第3种气体信号分子,它能参与生物体内的多种生理生化过程并发挥特定功能。在动物体内,H2S能够调节血管及神经系统功能。植物也能通过产生内源H2S来提高对环境的适应能力,缓解多种逆境胁迫造成的损伤和毒害,参与特定的生理代谢过程,诸如参与气孔运动和延缓衰老等。本文从H2S产生和代谢途径、已发现的生理功能和信号转导机制等方面综述H2S在植物中的最新研究进展,同时也探讨了H2S与其它信号分子的相互作用以及H2S对蛋白质的修饰机制。     

Cyanide and sulfide interact with nitrogenous compounds to influence the relaxation of various smooth muscles

Sodium nitroprusside relaxed guinea pig ileum after the segment had been submaximally contracted by either histamine or acetylcholine, intact isolated rabbit gall bladder after submaximal contraction by either acetylcholine or cholecystokinin octapeptide, and rat pulmonary artery helical strips after submaximal contraction with norepinephrine. In each of these cases the relaxation produced by nitroprusside was at least partially reversed by the subsequent addition of excess sodium cyanide. Cyanide, however, in nontoxic concentrations did not reverse the spasmolytic effects of hydroxylamine hydrochloride, sodium azide, nitroglycerin, sodium nitrite, or nitric oxide hemoglobin on guinea pig ileum, nor did cyanide alone in the same concentrations have any effect. The similar interaction between nitroprusside and cyanide on rabbit aortic strips is not dependent on the presence of an intact endothelial cell layer. Also, on rabbit aortic strips and like cyanide, sodium sulfide reversed the spasmolytic effects of azide and hydroxylamine, but it had little or no effect on the relaxation induced by papaverine. Unlike cyanide, however, sulfide augmented the relaxation induced by nitroprusside, and it reversed the effects of nitric oxide hemoglobin, nitroglycerin, and nitrite. A direct chemical reaction between sulfide and nitroprusside may account for the difference between it and cyanide. Although evidence was obtained also for a direct chemical reaction between sulfide and norepinephrine, that reaction does not seem to have played a role in these results. These observations suggest the existence of at least three distinct subclasses of so-called nitric oxide vasodilators. At least in some cases cyanide and sulfide cannot be acting by the same mechanism in their modifications of the responses to the agonists.     

一氧化氮与神经血管单元的关联性及相关药物研究进展

一氧化氮（NO）作为一种重要的信号分子,对中枢神经系统具有重要影响。神经血管单元是近年来提出的从整体上描述中枢神经 系统的新概念,NO对中枢系统的作用是多层次多角度的,NO与神经血管单元这个整体及其各组成单元均密切相关。综述NO及其合成酶 的功能,在中枢神经系统疾病中NO与神经血管单元的相互作用关系及以NO信号通路为靶点的相关药物研究进展。     

NO- and H2S brain systems of the Japanese shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus under conditions of anoxia

The topography and dynamics of the activity of the enzymes of the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in the brain of the shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus after 1, 6, and 12 h of anoxia was studied histochemically and immunocytochemically. Changes in the activity and number of NO- and CBS-immune-positive cells that take place due to anoxia and the intensity of which depends on the duration of the influence were revealed. The fact that the balance between the nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide systems in the brain of the crabs H. sanguineus is preserved indicates the joint participation of those systems in the central regulation of adaptive mechanisms under the influence of anoxia and, apparently, plays an important role in the adaptation of these hydrobionts to oxygen deficit.     

内源性硫化氢在中枢神经系统中的作用研究进展

硫化氢是继NO和CO之后发现的又一种新的气体信号分子,其被认为是一种神经递质,在中枢神经系统中起着重要的作用。内源性H2S主要由胱硫醚-β合酶(CBS)和胱硫醚γ-裂解酶(CSE)合成,其不仅可以直接作用于中枢神经系统发挥作用,还能通过抗氧化、调节神经内分泌及脑血管功能,进而间接影响中枢神经系统功能,具有广泛的生理作用。近年来,越来越多的研究发现内源性H2S在AD、热惊厥、PD、脑卒中、缺血再灌注脑损伤及遗传性疾病脑损害等神经系统疾病的发病过程中也起着重要作用。本文简要介绍H2S的生化和生理特点,并总结其在中枢神经系统中作用的进展。     

The topography of the NO- and H2S-systems in the brain of the mitten crab Eriocheir japonica (De Haan, 1835) (Decapoda: Varunidae)

The distributions and activities of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) synthesis enzymes in the brain of the mitten crab Eriocheir japonica (Decapoda: Varunidae) from fresh and salt water were studied using histochemical and immunocytochemical methods. In crabs that live in fresh water, the share of NO- and CBS-containing nerve elements in certain brain structures was increased, indicating the joint participation of NO and H₂S in the central regulation of adaptive mechanisms during the formation of a compensatory response to changing environmental conditions. It is assumed that preservation of the balance between nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide in the brain of E. japonica plays an important role in the adaptation of this species to changes in the chemical composition of the environment.     

Measurement and biological significance of the volatile sulfur compounds hydrogen sulfide,methanethiol and dimethyl sulfide in various biological matrices

This review deals with the measurement of the volatile sulfur compounds hydrogen sulfide, methanethiol and dimethyl sulfide in various biological matrices of rats and humans (blood, serum, tissues, urine, breath, feces and flatus). Hydrogen sulfide and methanethiol both contain the active thiol (–SH) group and appear in the free gaseous form, in the acid-labile form and in the dithiothreitol-labile form. Dimethyl sulfide is a neutral molecule and exists only in the free form. The foul odor of these sulfur volatiles is a striking characteristic and plays a major role in bad breath, feces and flatus. Because sulfur is a biologically active element, the biological significance of the sulfur volatiles are also highlighted. Despite its highly toxic properties, hydrogen sulfide has been lately recommended to become the third gasotransmitter, next to nitric oxide and carbon monoxide, based on high concentration found in healthy tissues, such as blood and brain. However, there is much doubt about the reliability of the assay methods used. Many artifacts in the sulfide assays exist. The methods to detect the various forms of hydrogen sulfide are critically reviewed and compared with findings of our group. Recent findings that free gaseous hydrogen sulfide is absent in whole blood urged the need to revisit its role as a blood-borne signaling molecule.     

Therapeutic interventions targeting the nitric oxide system: current and potential uses in obstetrics, bone disease and erectile dysfunction

Nitric oxide is involved in a countless number of physiological processes and is known to have cytoprotective as well as cytotoxic effects. Increased knowledge about the multifaceted role of nitric oxide in a variety of disease states has led to the design of multiple treatment strategies involving the nitric oxide system. The current review focuses on recent research advances in the fields of obstetrics, bone disease and erectile dysfunction that have led to current or potential future therapies involving nitric oxide.     

Akt pathway mediates a cGMP-dependent survival role of nitric oxide in cerebellar granule neurones

Apoptotic death results from disrupting the balance between anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic cellular signals. The inter- and intracellular messenger nitric oxide is known to mediate either death or survival of neurones. In the present work, cerebellar granule cells were used as a model to assess the survival role of nitric oxide and to find novel signal transduction pathways related to this role. It is reported that sustained inhibition of nitric oxide production induces apoptosis in differentiated cerebellar granule neurones and that compounds that slowly release nitric oxide significantly revert this effect. Neuronal death was also reverted by a caspase-3-like inhibitor and by a cyclic GMP analogue, thus suggesting that nitric oxide-induced activation of guanylate cyclase is essential for the survival of these neurones. We also report that the Akt/GSK-3 kinase system is a transduction pathway related to the survival action of nitric oxide, as apoptosis caused by nitric oxide deprivation is accompanied by down-regulation of this, but not of other, kinase systems. Conversely, treatments able to rescue neurones from apoptosis also counteracted this down-regulation. Furthermore, in transfection experiments, overexpression of the Akt gene significantly decreased nitric oxide deprivation-related apoptosis. These results are the first evidence for a mechanism where endogenous nitric oxide promotes neuronal survival via Akt/GSK-3 pathway.     

硫化氢神经生物学作用的研究进展

硫化氢(hydrogen sulfide,H_2S)作为继一氧化碳、一氧化氮后的第三种新型气体信号分子,得到了研究者们的广泛关注。H_2S在生物机体内发挥了重要的神经生物学作用。本综述主要总结H_2S的神经保护作用和神经调质功能及其机制,并介绍近几年人们对H_2S在神经系统疾病中的作用的研究进展。     

Developmental changes in the response of murine cerebellar granule cells to nitric oxide

Nitric oxide is a diffusible messenger that plays a multitude of roles within the nervous system including modulation of cell viability. However, its role in regulating neuronal survival during a defined period of neurodevelopment has never been investigated. We discovered that expression of the messenger RNA for both neuronal and endothelial nitric oxide synthase increased in the early postnatal period in the cerebellum in vivo, whilst the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase remained constant throughout this time in development. Whilst scavenging of nitric oxide was deleterious to the survival of early postnatal cerebellar granule neurons in vitro, this effect was lost in cultures derived at increasing postnatal ages. Conversely, sensitivity to exogenous nitric oxide increased with advancing postnatal age. Thus, we have shown that as postnatal development proceeds, cerebellar granule cells alter their in vitro survival responses to both nitric oxide inhibition and donation, revealing that the nitric oxide's effects on developing neurons vary with the stage of development studied. These findings have important consequences for our understanding of the role of nitric oxide during neuronal development.     

The influence of nitric oxide on the regulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 and tissue-type plasminogen activator expression

Nitric oxide produced in various human tissues by nitric oxide synthase is involved in the regulation of many physiological processes. Mechanism of its action is diverse. The most important physiological activity of nitric oxide is guanylate cyclase activation and an increase of cGMP synthesis. At low concentrations NO plays a pivotal role in vessel relaxation and possesses antithrombotic, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory features as well. An excessive production of nitric oxide can disturb vascular hemostasis and contribute to development of cardiovascular diseases. Studies provide that NO also participate in fibrynolysis regulation by the influence on the PAI-1 and t-PA expression, what may have important clinical implications. The aim of this review is to present current knowledge about the role of nitric oxide in the regulation of these plasminogen activation system factors.     

The nitric oxide pathway provides innate antiviral protection in conjunction with the type I interferon pathway in fibroblasts

The innate host response to virus infection is largely dominated by the production of type I interferon and interferon stimulated genes. In particular, fibroblasts respond robustly to viral infection and to recognition of viral signatures such as dsRNA with the rapid production of type I interferon; subsequently, fibroblasts are a key cell type in antiviral protection. We recently found, however, that primary fibroblasts deficient for the production of interferon, interferon stimulated genes, and other cytokines and chemokines mount a robust antiviral response against both DNA and RNA viruses following stimulation with dsRNA. Nitric oxide is a chemical compound with pleiotropic functions; its production by phagocytes in response to interferon-γ is associated with antimicrobial activity. Here we show that in response to dsRNA, nitric oxide is rapidly produced in primary fibroblasts. In the presence of an intact interferon system, nitric oxide plays a minor but significant role in antiviral protection. However, in the absence of an interferon system, nitric oxide is critical for the protection against DNA viruses. In primary fibroblasts, NF-κB and interferon regulatory factor 1 participate in the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, which subsequently produces nitric oxide. As large DNA viruses encode multiple and diverse immune modulators to disable the interferon system, it appears that the nitric oxide pathway serves as a secondary strategy to protect the host against viral infection in key cell types, such as fibroblasts, that largely rely on the type I interferon system for antiviral protection.     

硫化氢在糖尿病及其并发症中作用的研究进展

糖尿病及其并发症是覆盖全球的常见疾病,发病率逐年增高。硫化氢是继一氧化氮和一氧化碳之后的第三种气体信号分子,发挥重要病理生理学效应。目前研究发现,硫化氢在调节胰岛β细胞功能、胰岛素抵抗和糖尿病并发症中发挥着重要作用,已经成为糖尿病及其并发症的研究热点。本篇综述就H_2S在糖尿病及其并发症中发挥的病理生理学作用及机制进行了阐述。     

Synthesis and evaluation of NO-release from symmetrically substituted furoxans

A series of symmetrically substituted dibenzoyl furoxans were synthesized and investigated for their potential to release nitric oxide, which plays a key role in the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Cysteine was employed to promote nitric oxide release from furoxan via the formation of an S-nitrosothiol intermediate. Transition metal ion-mediated S-nitrosocysteine decomposition liberates nitric oxide that, in aqueous aerobic solutions, is converted to reactive nitrogen oxide species. The percent nitric oxide released was quantified colorimetrically by the Griess reagent system.     

Nitric oxide protects against chloroquine resistant Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis parasites in vitro

Malaria is a life-threatening disease of global concern. The role of nitric oxide in the clearance of malarial parasites is still under debate. Several reports suggest a possible role for nitric oxide in the protection during initial stages of malarial infection. In the present study, we demonstrate that the nitric oxide in combination with low concentrations of chloroquine controls the parasitaemia in vitro. Activated peritoneal macrophages co-cultured with lipopolysaccharide+interferon-gamma or extracts from Tenospora cordifolia as an immunomodulator promoted nitric oxide production by macrophages. The high concentration of nitric oxide in combination with sub-optimal chloroquine suppressed the parasitaemia in the chloroquine resistant malarial infection. Further, the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N(G)-mono-methyl-l-arginine, downregulated nitric oxide production by peritoneal macrophages and the resulting levels of parasitaemia were higher, similar to those of untreated controls. These findings support the proposition that nitric oxide has a crucial role in the control of parasitaemia at the initial periods of blood stage malarial infection.     

Brugia malayi: localization of nitric oxide synthase in a lymphatic filariid

Nitric oxide synthase converts L-arginine to citrulline and nitric oxide, a gaseous signaling molecule critical to multiple physiological responses. Nitric oxide synthase was detected by Western blot analysis of Brugia malayi extracts using an antibody raised against a peptide from murine brain nitric oxide synthase. Using NADPH diaphorase staining and immunohistochemistry, nitric oxide synthase was localized in the parasitic nematode B. malayi. As in Ascaris suum, nitric oxide synthase was detected in the body wall muscles of adult B. malayi. This localization pattern is in agreement with the role of nitric oxide in the control of muscle tone in other invertebrates and in vertebrates. A novel finding was the localization of nitric oxide synthase in the oocytes, in developing embryos, and in spermatozoa. B. malayi nitric oxide synthase may play a role in developmental signaling, as has been suggested for Drosophila and Ilyanassa, a marine mud snail.     

In vitro production of superoxide and nitric oxide (as nitrite and nitrate) by Mytilus galloprovincialis haemocytes upon incubation with PMA or laminarin or during yeast phagocytosis

The phagocytic process is one of the most important elements of the self-defence system in mammals as well as in molluscs. In mammalian phagocytes, superoxide participates in the innate defence system by combining with nitric oxide to generate peroxynitrite, a strong oxidant that possesses highly cytotoxic properties against bacteria. To evidence a role of nitric oxide in the self-defence system of the marine bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis similar to the role observed in the mammalian defence system, we measured the generation of superoxide and nitrite/nitrate (the stable end products of nitric oxide) upon in vitro stimulation of M. galloprovincialis haemocytes with PMA, laminarin, LPS and by phagocytosis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast cells). We show that stimulation with PMA, laminarin and yeast cell phagocytosis promotes superoxide and nitrite/nitrate generation from M. galloprovincialis haemocytes. Inhibitors of NADPH oxidase and inhibitors of NO synthase decreased the nitrite/nitrate levels generated by M. galloprovincialis haemocytes showing that both NADPH oxidase and NO synthase pathways are involved in the self-defence system of M. galloprovincialis.