Role of endothelin type B receptor in NO/cGMP signaling pathway in rat median eminence

We studied the effect of endothelins (ETs) on receptor-mediated NO/cGMP signaling in rat arcuate nucleus–median eminence (AN-ME) fragments, an hypothalamic structure known to contain a rich plexus of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing neurons and fibers together with densely arranged ET_B-receptor-like immunoreactive fibers. NOS activity was determined measuring the conversion of [³H] arginine to [³H] citrulline, as an index of NO produced. cGMP production was determined by radio immunoassay. ET-1, ET-3, and the selective ET_B receptor agonist, IRL1620, significantly increased cGMP formation and NOS activity. Preincubation of AN-ME fragment with L-arginine analog, N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NAME), inhibited ET-1 or IRL1620-stimulated cGMP formation. The addition of the selective ET_B receptor antagonist, BQ788, blocked ET-1-, ET-3-, or IRL1620-induced increase in NOS activity and cGMP generation, while BQ123, a selective ET_A receptor antagonist, was ineffective. Our results demonstrate that in whole rat AN-ME fragments, ETs stimulate NO/cGMP signaling pathway through the interaction with the ET_B receptor subtype, supporting the concept that ETs may represent an important regulator of reproductive and neuroendocrine function.     

Genistein stimulates the osteoblastic differentiation via NO/cGMP in bone marrow culture

The soybean phytoestrogen, genistein (Gen), has anabolic effects on bone through mechanisms that remain to be elucidated. We examined the role of nitric oxide (NO) and its downstream effector guanylyl cyclase (GC) in mediating the effects of Gen on the proliferation and osteoblastic maturation of primary mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Gen (10(-8) approximately 10(-6) M) resulted in a dose-dependent increase in cell proliferation as measured by increased [3H]thymidine incorporation, and stimulated osteoblastic maturation as assessed by culture duration-dependent increments in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposition into extracellular matrix and Runx2/Cbfa1 gene expression in BMSCs cultures. Gen also resulted in a dose-dependent increase in NO synthase (NOS) activity, NO formation, and cGMP production in BMSCs cultures. The effects of Gen were mimicked by 17beta-estradiol (E2, 10(-8) M). Concurrent treatment with the estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI182,780 (10(-7) M) or the NOS inhibitor L-NAME (3 x 10(-3) M) diminished the Gen (10(-6) M)-mediated increase in NOS activity, NO production, and cGMP content. In contrast, a soluble GC inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo [4,3,-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 10(-6) M) selectively blocked the Gen (10(-6) M)-mediated increase in cGMP content but not in NO production and NOS activity. Moreover, inhibition of ER, NOS activity or cGMP blocked Gen-induced proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of BMSCs and Runx2/Cbfa1 gene expression in culture. Gen has estrogen-like activity and stimulates the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of mouse BMSCs at least in part through NO/cGMP pathway.     

Activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade through nitric oxide synthesis as a mechanism of neuritogenic effect of genipin in PC12h cells

Prominent neurite outgrowth induced by genipin, a plant-derived iridoid, was substantially inhibited by addition of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) inhibitor, and carboxy-PTIO, an NO scavenger, in PC12h cells. Increases of the NADPH-diaphorase activity and neuronal and inducible NOS proteins in cells preceded the neurite outgrowth after addition of genipin to medium. NO donors could induce the neurite outgrowth dose-dependently in the cells. On the other hand, an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase (SGC), which is known to be a stimulatory target of NO, abolished greatly the genipin-induced neurite outgrowth. Addition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase inhibitors could almost completely abolish the neurite induction. L-NAME remarkably depressed genipin-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK-1 and -2. A neuritogenic effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) in PC12h cells was also remarkably inhibited by the NOS inhibitor, NO scavenger and SGC inhibitor. These findings suggest that induced NO production followed by cyclic GMP-mediated stimulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is implicated in the neuritogenesis by genipin and NGF in PC12h cells.     

Inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase attenuate nerve growth factor-mediated increases in choline acetyltransferase expression in PC12 cells

NGF can regulate nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) can modulate NGF-mediated neurotrophic responses. To investigate the role of NO in NGF-activated expression of cholinergic phenotype, PC12 cells were treated with either the nonselective NOS inhibitor L-NAME (N (omega)-nitro-L-arginine methylester) or the inducible NOS selective inhibitor MIU (s-methylisothiourea), and the effect on NGF-stimulated ChAT mRNA levels and ChAT specific activity was determined. NGF increased steady-state levels of mRNA and protein for both inducible and constitutive isozymes of NOS in PC12 cells, and led to enhanced NOS activity and NO production. MIU and, to a lesser extent, L-NAME blocked neurite outgrowth in nerve growth factor (NGF)-treated PC12 cells. Both L-NAME and MIU attenuated NGF-mediated increases in choline transferase (ChAT)-specific activity and prevented the increase in expression of ChAT mRNA normally produced by NGF treatment of PC12 cells. The present study indicates that NO may be involved in the modulation of signal transduction pathways by which NGF leads to increased ChAT gene expression in PC12 cells.     

Regulation of M1 Muscarinic Receptor-Mediated Signaling in Intact Cells by Exogenous,but Not Endogenously Produced,Nitric Oxide

Regulation of nitric oxide (NO) formation is critical to ensure maintenance of appropriate cellular concentrations of this labile, signaling molecule. This study investigated the role exogenous and endogenously produced NO have in feeding back to regulate NO synthesis in intact cells. Two NO donors inhibited activation of neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) in response to the muscarinic receptor agonist carbachol in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably transfected with the M₁ muscarinic receptor and nNOS. The presence of the NO scavenger [2-(4-Carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide · potassium salt] (C-PTIO) potentiated carbachol-induced activation of nNOS in transfected CHO cells. C-PTIO also potentiated nNOS activity in response to the Ca²⁺ ionophore ionomycin. In contrast, the NO scavenger oxyhemoglobin depressed carbachol- and ionomycin-induced NO formation. These discrepant results suggest that it is unlikely that endogenously produced NO induces feed back inhibition at the level of nNOS activation itself. Exogenous sources of NO inhibited carbachol-induced inositol phosphates formation. However, endogenously produced NO did not appear to feed back to regulate phosphoinositide hydrolysis as there was no difference in [³H]inositol phosphates formation between cells that do or do not express nNOS. There was also no change in carbachol-induced [³H]inositol phosphates formation in the presence or absence of a NOS inhibitor or the NO scavenger C-PTIO. A decrease in the carbachol-mediated transient Ca²⁺ peak was observed in cells that express nNOS as compared to cells lacking the enzyme, suggesting that endogenous NO might inhibit receptor mediated Ca²⁺ signaling. This conclusion, however, was not supported by the lack of ability of a NOS inhibitor to modulate carbachol-induced Ca²⁺ elevations. Taken together, these results highlight differences in the regulation of the nNOS activation cascade by endogenous vs. exogenous sources of NO.     

NO参与玉米幼苗对盐胁迫的应答

以玉米幼苗为材料,研究盐胁迫下其內源NO含量、NR和NOS活性的变化;NOS专一性抑制剂L-NAME和NR非专一性抑制剂NaN3对玉米幼苗內源NO含量的影响;利用激光共聚焦显微技术观测盐胁迫下玉米幼苗根部NO含量的变化及其分布特点。结果表明,盐胁迫下玉米幼苗根尖和叶片中NO含量有猝发现象,NOS活性也随之显著提高,NR活性则显著降低;L-NAME或NaN3均可降低盐胁迫所引起的玉米幼苗NO水平的增加,L-NAME对NO含量的影响比NaN3更显著。推测,NO参与玉米幼苗对盐胁迫的应答,NOS途径是盐胁迫下玉米幼苗內源NO合成的主要途径。     

The role of nitric oxide in paraquat-induced cytotoxicity in the human A549 lung carcinoma cell line

Paraquat (PQ) is a well-known pneumotoxicant that exerts its toxic effect by elevating intracellular levels of superoxide. In addition, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines has possibly been linked to PQ-induced inflammatory processes through reactive oxygen species (ROSs) and nitric oxide (NO). However, the role of NO in PQ-induced cell injury has been controversial. To explore this problem, we examined the effect of NO on A549 cells by exposing them to the exogenous NO donor NOC18 or to cytokines; tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1 β and interferon-γ, as well as PQ. Although the exogenous NO donor on its own had no effect on the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), remarkable release was observed when the cells were exposed to high concentrations of NOC18 and PQ. This cellular damage caused by 1 mM NOC18 plus 0.2 mM PQ was ascertained by phase contrast microscopy. On the other hand, NO derived from 25–50 μM NOC18 added into the medium improved the MTT reduction activity of mitochondria, suggesting a beneficial effect of NO on the cells. Incubation of A549 cells with cytokines increased in inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression and nitrite accumulation, resulting in LDH release. PQ further potentiated this release. The increase in nitrite levels could be completely prevented by NOS inhibitors, while the leakage of LDH was not attenuated by the inhibition of NO production with them. On the other hand, ROS scavenging enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase, inhibited the leakage of LDH, whereas they had no effect on the increase in the nitrite level. These results indicate that superoxide, not NO, played a key role in the cellular damage caused by PQ/cytokines. Our in vitro models demonstrate that NO has both beneficial and deleterious actions, depending on the concentrations produced and model system used.     

Nitric oxide synthase activity is critical for the preovulatory epidermal growth factor-like cascade induced by luteinizing hormone in bovine granulosa cells

In rabbits and rodents, nitric oxide (NO) is generally considered to be critical for ovulation. In monovulatory species, however, the importance of NO has not been determined, nor is it clear where in the preovulatory cascade NO may act. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine if nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes are regulated by luteinizing hormone (LH) and (2) to determine if and where endogenous NO is critical for expression of genes essential for the ovulatory cascade in bovine granulosa cells in serum-free culture. Time– and dose–response experiments demonstrated that LH had a significant stimulatory effect on endothelial NOS (NOS3) mRNA abundance, but in a prostaglandin-dependent manner. NO production was stimulated by LH before a detectable increase in NOS3 mRNA levels was observed. Pretreatment of cells with the NOS inhibitor L-NAME blocked the effect of LH on the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like ligands epiregulin and amphiregulin, as well as prostaglandin–endoperoxide synthase-2 mRNA abundance and protein levels. Similarly, EGF treatment increased mRNA encoding epiregulin, amphiregulin, and the early response gene EGR1, and this was inhibited by pretreatment with L-NAME. Interestingly, pretreatment with L-NAME had no effect on either ERK1/2 or AKT activation. Taken together, these results suggest that endogenous NOS activity is critical for the LH-induced ovulatory cascade in granulosa cells of a monotocous species and acts downstream of EGF receptor activation but upstream of the EGF-like ligands.     

胰岛素促进血管内皮细胞产生一氧化氮的实验研究

目的：探讨胰岛素对血管内皮细胞增殖、NO产生和NOS基因表达的影响。方法：培养牛主动脉内皮细胞,测定培养上清液中NO氧化产物NO2^－的水平并应用定量RT－PCR技术检测内皮细胞NOS mRNA的表达水平。结果：①胰岛素对大血管内皮细胞无细胞毒作用,也不影响细胞增殖;②在1－15μg/ml浓度范围内,胰岛素加强内皮细胞释放NO,且呈剂量依赖的方式,NOS特异性抑制剂L－NAME可阻抑之;③胰岛素轻度增加NOS mRNA表达水平,但无统计学意义。结论：胰岛素既不影响大血管内皮细胞增殖,也不影响内皮细胞NOS mRNA表达水平,但以剂量依赖的方式加强内皮细胞产生NO,推测其诱导NO产生的机制可能是通过酶活性的诱导,加速NO的合成。     

Role of nitric oxide dependence on nitric oxide synthase-like activity in the water stress signaling of maize seedling

Nitric oxide (NO) has been known as an important signal in plant antioxidative defense but its production and roles in water stress are less known. The present study investigated whether NO dependence on a NO synthase-lika (NOS) activity is involved in the signaling of drought-induced protective responses in maize seedlings. NOS activity, rate of NO release and drought responses were analyzed when NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP), NO scavenger c-PTIO (2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramathylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) and NOS inhibitor L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) were applied to both detached maize leaves and whole plants. Both NOS activity and the rate of NO release increased substantially under dehydration stress. The high NOS activity induced by c-PTIO as NO scavenger and NO accumulation Inhibited by NOS inhibitor L-NAME In dehydration-treated maize seedlings Indicated that most NO production under water deficit stress may be generated from NOS-like activity. After dehydration stress for 3 h, detached maize leaves pretreated with NO donor SNP maintained more water content than that of control leaves pretreated with water. This result was consistent with the decrease in the transpiration rate of SNP-treated leaves subjected to drought treatment for 3 h. Membrane permeability, a cell injury index, was lower in SNP-trested maize leaves under dehydration stress for 4 h when compared with the control leaves. Also, superoxide dismutsse (SOD) activity of SNP combined drought treatment maize leaves was higher than that of drought treatment alone, indicating that exogenous NO treatment alleviated the water loss and oxidative damage of maize leaves under water deficit stress. When c-PTIO as a specific NO scavenger was applied, the effects of applied SNP were overridden. Treatment with L-NAME on leaves also led to higher membrane permeability, higher transpiration rate and lower SOD activities than those of control leaves, indicating that NOS-like activity was involved in the antioxidative defense under water stress. These results suggested that NO dependence on NOS-like activity serves as a signaling component in the induction of protective responses and is associated with drought tolerance in maize seedlings.     

Paracrine neuroprotective effect of nitric oxide in the developing retina

The retina of newborn rats consists of the ganglion cell layer (GCL), the inner plexiform layer (IPL), the inner nuclear layer (INL) containing amacrine cells and the neuroblastic layer (NBL). In retinal explants, the GCL enters cell death after sectioning of the optic nerve, whereas there is almost no cell death in the NBL. When protein synthesis is inhibited with anisomycin, cell death is blocked in the GCL and induced in the NBL. We tested the roles of nitric oxide (NO) on cell death in the retina in vitro. Either L-arginine, the substrate for NO synthase or the NO donor S:-nitroso-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) blocked cell death induced by anisomycin in the NBL, but had no effect in the GCL. Sepiapterin, a precursor of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin also had a protective effect against anisomycin. The use of 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, an inhibitor of soluble form of guanylyl cyclase, showed that anti-apoptotic effect of SNAP is partially mediated by cGMP generated by activation of guanylyl cyclase. NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry stained cells only in the GCL and INL. Thus, the degenerative effect of anisomycin is observed within the NBL, whereas the localization of NOS is restricted to the GCL and INL. The protective effect of both the NO substrate and cofactor upon cell death induced by anisomycin in the NBL, indicates that NO produced by amacrine and ganglion cells is a paracrine modulator of cell death within the retinal tissue.     

Facilitatory role of NO in neural norepinephrine release in the rat kidney

We examined modulation by nitric oxide (NO) of sympathetic neurotransmitter release and vasoconstriction in the isolated pump-perfused rat kidney. Electrical renal nerve stimulation (RNS; 1 and 2 Hz) increased renal perfusion pressure and renal norepinephrine (NE) efflux. Nonselective NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors [N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine], but not a selective neuronal NO synthase inhibitor (7-nitroindazole sodium salt), suppressed the NE efflux response and enhanced the perfusion pressure response. Pretreatment with L-arginine prevented the effects of L-NAME on the RNS-induced responses. 2-(4-Carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (carboxy-PTIO), which eliminates NO by oxidizing it to NO(2), suppressed the NE efflux response, whereas the perfusion pressure response was less susceptible to carboxy-PTIO. 8-Bromoguanosine cGMP suppressed and a guanylate cyclase inhibitor [4H-8-bromo-1,2,4-oxadiazolo(3,4-d)benz(b)(1,4)oxazin-1-one] enhanced the RNS-induced perfusion pressure response, but neither of these drugs affected the NE efflux response. These results suggest that endogenous NO facilitates the NE release through cGMP-independent mechanisms, NO metabolites formed after NO(2) rather than NO itself counteract the vasoconstriction, and neuronal NOS does not contribute to these modulatory mechanisms in the sympathetic nervous system of the rat kidney.     

Multiple signaling pathways involved in the effect of endothelin type B receptor in rat median eminence

We assessed the possible link between endothelin receptor mediated phosphoinositide breakdown and NO/cGMP signaling pathways in rat arcuate nucleus-median eminence fragments (AN-ME), brain structures known to contain a rich plexus of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing neurons and fibers, together with densely arranged endothelin ETB-receptors-like immunoreactive fibres. Our data show that ET-1, ET-3 and the ETB-receptors agonist, IRL 1620, increased inositol monophosphate (InsP1) accumulation, NOS activity and cGMP formation, in a similar degree. The stimulatory effect of ETs on InsP1 accumulation and cGMP formation was inhibited by the phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, neomycin, and the absence of extracellular calcium, suggesting that calcium is involved in endothelin receptor-induced PLC activation. The L-arginine analog, L-NAME, inhibited ET-1 or IRL1620-stimulated cGMP formation. The ETA receptor antagonists BQ 123, did not alter, while the ETB receptor antagonists BQ788 inhibited ETs-induced increase in the PI metabolism, NOS activity and cGMP generation. Our data indicate that in AN-ME, ETB receptor signals through receptor-mediated calcium dependent-stimulation of phosphoinositide breakdown and activation of NOS/cGMP signaling pathway.     

诱导型一氧化氮合酶在17β-雌二醇诱导的血管平滑肌细胞周期阻滞中的作用

利用大鼠血管平滑肌细胞(vascular smooth muscle cells,VSMC)作为模型,观察17β-雌二醇(17β-estradiol,E2)对VSMC诱导型一氧化氮合酶(inducible nitric oxide synthase,iNOS)活性和蛋白表达的影响,并探讨其在内皮素-1(endothlin 1,ET-1)刺激的VSMC周期循环中的作用。检测指标包括同位素法测定iNOS的活性,免疫印迹法(western blot)检测iNOS蛋白表达,流式细胞仪检测细胞周期,观察一氧化氮合酶(nitric oxide synthase,NOS)抑制剂N^G-硝基左旋精氨酸甲酯(N^G-nitro—L—arginine methylester,L—NAME)对E2抑制VSMC细胞周期的影响。结果显示,E2明显增加iNOS的活性和蛋白表达,在30min和12h时能诱导VSMC的iNOS活性明显增加,而60min和24h时VSMC的iNOS活性与对照组无显著差异,不呈明显浓度依赖性,雌激素受体(estrogen receptor,ER)拮抗剂Tamoxifen和L—NAME能明显抑制E2诱导的VSMC iNOS活性增加;E2增加VSMC的iNOS蛋白表达的作用在3h时起效,12h达高峰,以后逐渐下降,呈浓度依赖性,Tamoxifen能明显抑制马诱导的VSMC iNOS蛋白表达;E2明显抑制ET-1诱导的S期细胞百分比和G2 S／G1增加,使VSMC在G1期发生细胞周期阻滞,这些作用可被预先给予L—NAME所明显减轻。上述结果提示,E2使ET—l刺激的VSMC细胞周期循环在G1期发生阻滞与增加VSMC iNOS活性有关,该作用至少部分通过ER介导。     

鞘内注射神经激肽-1受体激动剂Sar-SP增强大鼠脊髓一氧化氮合酶表达和一氧化氮生成

探讨P物质(substance P,SP)对脊髓一氧化氮合酶(nitric oxide synthase,NOS)表达和一氧化氮(nitric oxide,NO)生成的影响。实验用热甩尾法测定大鼠痛阈的变化,分别应用NADPH-d组织化学法和硝酸还原法测定大鼠脊髓内NOS表达和NO生成的变化。结果显示,鞘内注射神经激肽-1受体(neurokinin-1 receptor,NK-1)激动剂[Sar^9,Met(O2)^11]-substance P(Sar-SP)可使大鼠痛阈降低,脊髓后角浅层和中央管周围灰质内NOS表达增强,脊髓腰膨大部位NO生成增多;预先鞘内注射非选择性NK-1受体拮抗剂[D—Arg^1,D-Trp^7,9,Leu^11]-substance P(spantide)可抑制上述变化。结果表明,SP可促进脊髓内NOS表达和NO生成。     

Effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors and a substrate,L-arginine,on the cardiac function of juvenile salmonid fish

Control of cardiac function was investigated juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) using inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), (L-NAME, NG-nitro-L-arginine and L-NMMA, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine) and a substrate of NOS (L-arginine). Salmonid alevins are excellent models for such studies since they are transparent, the beating heart is easily observed, diffusing distances are small, and they respond within a few seconds to exogenously administered chemicals. The response to inhibitors of NOS (L-NAME or L-NMMA) was tachycardia interpreted as vasoconstriction through lowered capacity for synthesis of NO. This could be reversed by addition of L-arginine and the subsequent bradycardia was explained as a vasodilation resulting from increased synthesis of NO. Blood flow into the heart is mainly via the vitelline vein and changes of flow resulting from constriction or dilation of this vessel may be probably major determinants of heart rate. The results provide evidence for the presence NOS in juvenile fish and indicate a physiological role for NO in cardiovascular control.     

Correlation between nitric oxide and cyclooxygenase-2 pathways in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

We investigated the interactions between inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathways in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) and in two carcinoma cell lines. HNSCCs showed an up-regulation of both pathways which were strongly correlated with each other (p=0.02) and with tumor vascularization (p=0.0001 and p=0.008, respectively). In carcinoma cells, Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and EGF treatment up-regulated both pathways. NOS inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) inhibited this up-regulation. LPS or EGF induced iNOS expression that was not altered by NOS or COX-2 inhibitors. Conversely, LPS or EGF promoted COX-2 expression that was decreased by L-NAME. The NO donor S-nitroso-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP) up-regulated COX-2 pathway and this effect was reduced by the guanylate cyclase inhibitor methylene blue. Thus, in squamous carcinoma cells, NO increases the activity of COX-2 pathway and this effect is probably mediated by endocellular cGMP level, with potential implications on tumor growth, angiogenesis, and therapy.     

内源性一氧化碳与一氧化氮在高血压发病中的相互作用 …

目的和方法：采用ＨＯ活性抑制剂诱导大鼠高血压模型,观察血压变化、主动脉ＨＯ和ＮＯＳ活性、ＣＯ和ＮＯ产生释放,并测定血浆和主动脉平滑肌组织中ｃＧＭＰ含量,以探讨内源性ＮＯ和ＣＯ在高血压发生机制中的作用及其相互关系。结果：大鼠应用ＨＯ抑制剂ＺｎＤＰＢＧ腹腔注射２周后,继续饲养到第４周出现持续而稳定的高血压,同时总ＮＯＳ（ｔＮＯＳ）和诱导型ＮＯＳ（ｉＮＯＳ）的活性分别增加４５．４％和７３．３％（均为Ｐ〉     

Evidence that lithium induces a glutamatergic: Nitric oxide-mediated response in rat brain

Studies have indicated the involvement of a glutamatergic mechanism in lithium (Li⁺) action. Glutamatergic agonists, such as kainic acid, are known to promote the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) and to increase cGMP, while Li⁺ has displayed a similar, yet unexplained, ability to increase cGMP. NO synthesis is regarded as the principal prodromal event leading to the activation of the guanyl cyclase-cGMP transduction mechanism. In the present study, the involvement of the NO:cGMP pathway in the action of Li⁺ was examined, while the possibility of a glutamatergic mechanism in this response was also investigated. Parameters examined included cortical accumulation of cGMP and the stable oxidative metabolites of NO, viz. NO ₂ ^– and NO ₃ ^–, collectively expressed as NO ₂ ^–. A significant positive correlation was observed in the in vivo cGMP and NO ₂ ^– data throughout all the groups. Chronic treatment of rats with LiCl (0.3% m/m) engendered a significant increase in cGMP levels which was inhibited by the NO-synthase (NOS) inhibitor, N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Acute administration of kainic acid resulted in an increased accumulation of NO ₂ ^–, also prevented by concomitant L-NAME administration. In addition, a synergistic stimulatory response on cortical NO ₂ ^– was observed in the combination of LiCl and kainic acid. Collectively, these data implicate an involvement of a glutamatergic-mediated NO:cGMP transduction mechanism in the action of Li⁺.     

Participation of the components of L-arginine/nitric oxide/cGMP cascade by chemically-induced abdominal constriction in the mouse

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the L-arginine/nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP pathway in p-benzoquinone-induced writhing model in mouse. L-arginine, a NO precursor, displayed antinociceptive effects at the doses of 0.125-1.0 mg/kg. When the doses of L-arginine were increased gradually to 10-100 mg/kg, a dose-dependent triphasic pattern of nociception-antinociception-nociception was obtained. The NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (18.7515 mg/kg), possessed antinociceptive activity. Methylene blue (MB), a guanylyl cyclase and/or NOS inhibitor, (5-160 mg/kg) also produced a dose-dependent triphasic response. When L-arginine (50 mg/ kg) was combined with L-NAME (75 mg/kg). L-arginine-induced antinociception did not change significantly. Cotreatment of L-arginine with 5 mg/kg MB significantly decreased MB-induced antinociception and reversed the nociception induced by 40 mg/kg MB to antinociception. It is concluded that the components of L-arginine/nitric oxide/cGMP cascade may participate in nociceptive processes both peripherally and centrally by a direct effect on nociceptors or by the involvement of other related pathways of nociceptive processes induced by NO.