The effects of nimodipine and L-NAME on coronary flow and oxidative stress parameters in isolated rat heart

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Ca2+ channel antagonist nimodipine (in concentration which competitive inhibited phosphodiesterase 1--PDE1) on oxidative stress alone or under inhibition of nitric oxide synthase by L-NAME in isolated rat heart. The hearts from male Wistar albino rats (n=18, BM about 200 g, age 8 weeks) were retrograde perfused according to the Langendorff technique at gradually increased constant perfusion pressure conditions (CPP, 40-120 cm H2O). The experiments were performed under control conditions, in the presence of Nimodipine (2 microM) or Nimodipine (2 microM) plus L-NAME (30 microM). Coronary flow (CF) varied in the autoregulatory range from 3.7 +/- 0.4 ml/min/g wt at 50 cm H2O to 4.35 +/- 0.79 at 90 cm H2O. Basal nitrite outflow, index of lipid peroxidation (measured as TBARS release) and superoxide anion release (O2-) (at 60 cm H2O) were 0.64 +/- 0.18 nmol/min/g wt, 0.55 +/- 0.13 micromol/min/g wt and 19.72 +/- 3.70 nmol/min/g wt, respectively. Nimodipine induced significant vasodilation at all values of CPP (from 26% at 40 cm H2O to 36% at 120 cm H2O) accompanied with significant decrease of nitrite outflow (from 59% at 40 cm H2O to 40% at 120 cm H2O), significant increase of TBARS above autoregulatory range (about 40%) and significant increase of O2- release (from 186% at 40 cm H2O to 117% at 120 cm H2O). However, perfusion with L-NAME completely reversed the effects of Nimodipine. Nimodipine-induced flow changes were decreased under L-NAME (from 3% at 40 cm H2O to 11% at 120 cm H2O) without changes in the autoregulatory range, accompanied with significantly increased nitrite outflow (from 69% at 40 cm H2O to 36% at 120 cm H2O) and TBARS release (almost 50%), as well as significantly decreased O2- release (from 50% at 40 cm H2O to 43% at 120 cm H20). Our findings show that effect of nimodipine on coronary flow should be significantly influenced by NO, TBARS and O2- release in isolated rat heart.     

Interaction between L-arginine: no system and cyclooxygenase metabolic products of arachidonic acid in coronary autoregulation.

Coronary autoregulation (CA) is the intrinsic ability of the heart to maintain its nutritive blood supply constant over a wide range of perfusion pressure. This phenomenon is regulated through several control mechanisms, while metabolic and myogenic control mechanism have dominant effects. In last few years, endothelial control mechanism, which is part of metabolic control, was intensive investigated. Dominant topic of endothelial-investigation was bioregulatory L-arginine: NO system, with his effective product--nitric oxide (NO). On the other hand, cyclooxygenase metabolic pathway products of arachidonic acid plays an important role in the control of vasomotor tone of coronary arteries. For this purpose, the aim of our study was to evaluate role of L-arginine: NO system, cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid, as well as, their interactions in the control of CA of the isolated rat heart.. In our study rat hearts autoregulate CF between 50 and 90 cm H2O of CPP. Basal release (at 60 cm H2O) of NO (as nitrite), cAMP, cGMP and HX+X (i.e. adenosine) amounted to 2.85+/-0.25 nmol/min/g wt, 29.45+/-2.22 pmol/min/g wt, 0.43+/-0.08 pmol/min/g wt and 37.50+/-2.89 nmol/min/g wt respectively. Release of NO, cAMP and cGMP were strictly parallel with CPP-CF curve, while release of adenosine (i.e. HX + X) was an inverse function of perfusion pressure. Inhibition of NOS (L-NAME, 30 micromol/l) significantly widened autoregulatory range (40-100 cm H2O), with significant reduction in CF and NO- and cGMP release, while release of cAMP was completely reversed in the presence of L-NAME. However, inhibition of cyclooxygenase didn't influence autoregulatory range, with similar changes of NO- and cAMP-release and completely inversed values of released adenosine. When L-NAME an indomethacin (an nonspecific COX-inhibitor), 3 micromol/l where added together, they exhibit interactions between these two enzymatic systems. Namely, when L-NAME was added first, indomethacin didn't influence hemodynamic effects of NOS-inhibitor. On the other hand, when COX-inhibitor was added first, L-NAME widened autoregulatory range in small manner as after control autoregulatory experiments (40-90 cm H2O). All hemodynamic changes were followed with similar changes in NO-release, what suggest that exist interaction between L-arginine: NO system and COX-metabolites in the regulation of coronary autoregulation.     

The effects of vitamin C and nitric oxide synthase inhibition on coronary flow and oxidative stress markers in isolated rat heart

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) on coronary flow and oxidative stress markers with or without non-specific inhibition of nitric oxide synthase by N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine monomethyl ester (L-NAME) in isolated rat hearts. The hearts of male Wistar albino rats (n = 12, age 8 weeks, body mass 180-200 g) were retrograde perfused according to the Langendorff technique at gradually increased constant perfusion pressure (40-120 cm H2O). Coronary flow, nitrite outflow, superoxide anion production, and index of lipid peroxidation (by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) in coronary effluent were determined. The experiments were performed during control conditions and in presence of vitamin C (100 μM) alone or vitamin C (100 μM) + L-NAME (30 μM). Administration of vitamin C induced only increase of nitrite levels, while vitamin C + L-NAME induced significant decrease of coronary flow above autoregulatory range, i.e. especially at higher coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) values, accompanied with similar dynamic in nitrite outflow. Vitamin C + L-NAME also induced significant decrease in TBARS production. The results of our study show no significant effects of vitamin C administration either on ROS levels or on coronary flow in isolated rat heart.     

The effects of folic acid and nitric oxide synthase inhibition on coronary flow and oxidative stress markers in isolated rat heart

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of folic acid on coronary flow and oxidative stress markers with or without non-specific inhibition of nitric oxide synthase by l-NAME in isolated rat hearts. The hearts of male Wistar albino rats (n = 12, age 8 weeks, body mass 180–200 g) were retrograde perfused according to the Langendorff technique at gradually increased constant perfusion pressure (40–120 cmH₂O). Coronary flow and markers of oxidative stress: nitrite outflow, superoxide anion production, and index of lipid peroxidation (by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) in coronary effluent were calculated. The experiments were performed during control conditions and in presence of folic acid (100 μM) alone or folic acid (100 μM) plus l-NAME (30 μM). Control values of coronary flow varied in range from 4.37 ± 0.10 ml/min/g wt at 40 cmH₂O to 12.05 ± 0.42 ml/min/g wt at 120 cmH₂O. Nitrite outflow varied from 1.68 ± 0.17 nmol/min/g wt at 40 cmH₂O to 3.56 ± 0.17 nmol/min/g wt at 120 cmH₂O and was parallel with coronary perfusion pressure-coronary flow curve. Folic acid significantly increased coronary flow (40–120 cmH₂O, 5.63 ± 0.10 ml/min/g wt and 15.2 ± 0.42 ml/min/g wt, respectively) and was accompanied by significant increase in nitrite outflow (2.28 ± 0.29 nmol/min/g wt at 40 cmH₂O to 6.66 ± 0.50 nmol/min/g wt at 120 cmH₂O). In addition, folic acid significantly decreased superoxide anion production especially at upper coronary perfusion pressure values (60% at 120 cmH₂O) and increased index of lipid peroxidation (37.16% at 120 cmH₂O), respectively. Folic acid plus l-NAME did not change control values of coronary flow significantly. However, folic acid plus l-NAME increased nitrite outflow especially at upper coronary perfusion pressure values (43.05% at 120 cmH₂O) and did not change significantly superoxide anion production or index of lipid peroxidation versus control values, respectively. The results clearly showed that on isolated rat hearts at gradually increased constant perfusion pressure, folic acid increased coronary flow, increased nitrite outflow, decreased superoxide anion production, and increased index of lipid peroxidation. These effects were reversed or blocked by l-NAME thus demonstrating mediation or at least participation of NO in the mechanism of the folic acid-induced effects.     

Pressure-dependent vasoactive effects of histamine in the coronary circulation

Twenty-one isolated, perfused, spontaneously rhythmic guinea pig hearts (Langendorff preparation) were used to investigate the effects of coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) on the coronary vasoactive response to a continuous infusion of histamine. Heart rate (HR), coronary perfusate flow (CPF), left ventricular pressure, dp/dtmax, oxygen extraction, and myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) were measured at constant CPP of 40 (n = 9), 53 (n = 6), and 65 cm H2O (n = 6) in the absence and presence of continuous intracoronary infusion of histamine [0.9 +/- 0.2 microgram/(min X g)]. At 40 cm H2O histamine caused significant coronary vasodilation. At 65 cm H2O histamine caused significant coronary vasoconstriction. At an intermediate pressure of 53 cm H2O histamine had no effect on CPF. At all three pressures HR, left ventricular pressure, dp/dtmax, and oxygen extraction increased significantly in response to histamine. MVO2 was unchanged by histamine at 65 cm H2O (flow was reduced but extraction increased. MVO2 increased modestly but significantly at 53 cm H2O (12% increase; flow unchanged but extraction increased), and increased prominently at 40 cm H2O (50% increase; flow and extraction increased). We conclude that the coronary vascular effects of continuously infused histamine are dependent on the preexisting, steady-state level of CPP in the isolated perfused guinea pig heart.     

High in comparison with low tidal volume ventilation aggravates oxidative stress-induced lung injury

Ventilator settings influence the development and outcome of acute lung injury. This study investigates the influence of low versus high tidal volume (V(t)) on oxidative stress-induced lung injury.Isolated rabbit lungs were subjected to one of three ventilation patterns (V(t)-positive end-expiratory pressure, PEEP): LVZP (6 ml/kg-0 cm H(2)O), HVZP (12 ml/kg-0 cm H(2)O), LV5P (6 ml/kg-5 cm H(2)O). These ventilation patterns allowed a comparison between low and high V(t) without dependence on peak inspiratory pressure (PIP). Infusion of hypochlorite (1000 nmol/min) or buffer (control) was started at t=0 min. Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), PIP and weight were continuously recorded. Capillary filtration coefficient [K(f,c) (10(-4) ml s(-1) cm H(2)O(-1) g(-1))] was gravimetrically determined (-15/30/60/90/120 min).PIP averaged 5.8+/-0.6/13.9+/-0.6/13.9+/-0.4 cm H(2)O in the LVZP, HVZP and LV5P groups. PIP, K(f,c) or PAP did not change in control groups, indicating that none of the ventilation patterns caused lung injury by themselves. Hypochlorite-induced increase in K(f,c) but not hypochlorite-induced increase in PAP, was significantly attenuated in the LVZP-/LV5P- versus the HVZP-group (K(f,c,max.) 1.0+/-0.23/1.4+/-0.40 versus 3.2+/-1.0*). Experiments with hypochlorite were terminated due to excessive edema (>50 g) at 97+/-2.2/94.5+/-4.5 min in the LVZP-/LV5P-group versus 82+/-3.8* min in the HVZP-group (*: P<0.05).Low V(t) attenuated oxidative stress-induced increase in vascular permeability independently from PIP and PEEP.     

Pathophysiological consequences of enhanced intracellular superoxide formation in isolated perfused rat liver.

The potential toxicity of enhanced intracellular reactive oxygen formation was investigated in isolated perfused livers of male Fischer rats. The presence of the redox-cycling agent diquat in the perfusate (200 microM) increased the basal efflux of glutathione disulfide (GSSG) into bile (2.65 +/- 0.26 nmol GSH-equivalents/min per g liver wt.) and perfusate (0.55 +/- 0.15 nmol/min per g) approximately 10-fold. Since no evidence was found for degradation of GSSG in the biliary tract of these animals, it could be estimated that diquat induced a constant O2- generation of approximately 1000 nmol/min per g liver wt for 1 h. Thus, reactive oxygen formation under these conditions was 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than under various pathophysiological conditions. Only minor liver injury (release of lactate dehydrogenase activity) was observed. To increase the susceptibility of the liver to the oxidant stress, animals were pretreated in vivo with 200 mg/kg body wt. phorone, which caused a 90% depletion of the hepatic glutathione content, 100 mg/kg ferrous sulfate, a combination of phorone and ferrous sulfate, or 40 mg/kg BCNU, which caused a 60% inhibition of hepatic GSSG reductase. Only the combined treatment of phorone + ferrous sulfate or BCNU caused a significant increase of the diquat-induced liver injury. Our results demonstrated an extremely high resistance of the liver against intracellular reactive oxygen formation (even with impaired detoxification systems) and can serve as reference for the evaluation of potential contributions of reactive oxygen to liver injury in various disease states.     

Lung dysfunction after thermal injury in relation to prostanoid and oxygen radical release

We studied whether changes in lung function after burns (1- to 12-h period) were due to changes in lung water or airways resistance and the relationship of the changes to prostanoid and O2 radical activity (measured as lipid peroxidation). Twenty-five anesthetized mechanically ventilated adult sheep were given a 40% of body surface scald burn and resuscitated to restore and maintain base-line filling pressures. Dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) decreased by 40% from 38 +/- 5 to 24 +/- 4 ml/cmH2O at 12 h. Venous thromboxane B2 transiently increased from 210 +/- 40 to 1,100 +/- 210 pg/ml, and the value in lung lymph increased from 180 +/- 80 to 520 +/- 80 pg/ml. Prostacyclin levels in lung lymph and plasma remained at base line. Protein-poor lung lymph flow increased two- to threefold, but postmortem lung analysis revealed no increase in lung water from the control of 3.5 +/- 0.3 g H2O/g dry wt. No increase in protein permeability was seen. However, the lipid peroxidation of lung tissue measured as malondialdehyde was significantly increased from the control value of 56 +/- 4 nmol/g lung to a value of 69 +/- 6. Ibuprofen pretreatment (12.5 mg/kg) markedly attenuated the decrease in Cdyn, with the value at 12 h being 90% of base line. Ibuprofen also decreased the amount of lung lipid peroxidation but did not decrease the lung lymph response. We conclude that the decrease in Cdyn seen early postburn is not due to increased lung water, but, rather, is due to a mediator-induced bronchoconstriction, attenuated by ibuprofen; the mediator being either thromboxane or a byproduct of O2 radicals as evidenced by increased lipid peroxide production in lung tissue.     

Influence of tidal volume on pulmonary NO release,tissue lipid peroxidation and surfactant phospholipids

Mechanical stress during ventilation may cause or aggravate acute lung injury. This study investigates the influence of low vs. high tidal volume (V(t)) on factors known to play key roles in acute lung injury: nitric oxide release, eNOS and iNOS gene expression, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and surfactant phospholipids (PL). Isolated rabbit lungs were subjected to one of three ventilation patterns for 135 min (V(t)-PEEP): 6 ml/kg-0 cm H(2)O. 12 ml/kg-0 cm H(2)O 6 ml/kg-5 cm H(2)O, 12 ml/kg-0 cm H(2)O, and 6 ml/kg-5 cm H(2)O resulted in comparable peak inspiratory pressure (PIP). This allowed comparing low and high V(t) without dependence on PIP. Ventilatory patterns did not induce changes in pulmonary artery pressure, vascular permeability (K(f,c)), PIP or pulmonary compliance. High V(t) in comparison with both of the low V(t) groups caused an increase in BALF-nitrite (30.6+/-3.0* vs. 21.4+/-2.2 and 16.2+/-3.3 microM), BALF-PL (1110+/-19* vs. 750+/-68 and 634+/-82 microg/ml), and tissue LPO product accumulation (0.62+/-0.051* vs. 0.48+/-0.052 and 0.43+/-0.031 nmol/mg), *P<0.05 each. Perfusate nitrite and BALF-PL composition (assessed by use of 31P-NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry) did not differ among the groups. High V(t) ventilation reduced eNOS gene expression but did not affect iNOS expression. The increased release of NO and the accumulation of LPO products may represent early lung injury while elevated BALF-PL may reflect distension-induced surfactant secretion.     

环加氧酶-2抑制剂尼美舒利通过改善内皮功能和增加NO含量对抗大鼠心肌氧化应激损伤

本文旨在研究冠状动脉内皮和NO在选择性环加氧酶2（cyclooxygenase2,COX-2）抑制剂尼美舒利（nimesulide）对抗心肌氧化损伤中的作用。离体大鼠心脏行Langendorff灌流,给予H2O2（140Bmol／L）观察心脏收缩功能。用U-46619灌流心脏,使冠状动脉预收缩后,观察冠状动脉对内皮依赖性舒张因子5-HT和内皮非依赖性舒张因子硝普钠（sodiumnitroprusside,SNP）的反应。结果显示：（1）与空白对照组（100％）相比,H202灌流20min后,左心室发展压[left ventriculardevelo pedpressure,LVDP,（54．8±4．0）％],和心室内压最大变化速率【±dp／dtmax（50．8±3．1）％和（46．2±2．9）％]明显降低。H2O2灌流前尼美舒利（5μmol/L）预处理10min,能够显著抑制H2O2引起的LVDP和μdp/dtmax下降[（79．9±2．8）％,（80．3±2．6）％和（81．4±2．6）％,P〈0．0l]。（2）与空白对照组相比,H2O2灌流后,5-HT和SNP引起内皮依赖性和内皮非依赖性血管舒张功能均明显下降;而尼美舒利预处理10min能明显对抗内皮依赖性血管舒张功能的下降[（-22．2±4．2）％vsH2O2组（-6．0±2．5）％,P〈0．0l],但对其内皮非依赖性血管舒张功能的下降没有明显作用[（-2．0±1．8）％vsH202组（-7．0±3．5）％,P〉0．05]。（3）一氧化氮合酶（nitric oxide synthase,NOS）抑制剂L-NAME能够部分取消尼美舒利预处理对H20,应激心脏心功能指标的改善作用ILVDP和±dp/dtmax分别为（60．2±2．1）％,（63．9±2．4）％和（63．1±2．9）％,P〈0．01]。同时尼美舒利预处理10min能使H202应激心肌NO含量增加[（2．63±0．40）vs（1．36±0．23）nmol／gprotein,P〈0．051,而L-NAME抑制此作用。（4）选择性COX-1抑制剂吡罗昔康（piroxicam）预处理不能抑制H202引起的LVDP和±dp/dtmax下降,但促进左心室舒张末压（1eftventricular end diastolicpressure,LVEDP）升高;吡罗昔康对H202引起的内皮依赖性和内皮非依赖性血管舒张功能下降无显著作用。以上结果提示,选择性COX-2抑制剂尼美舒利能够对抗大鼠离体心肌氧化应激损伤,其机制可能是通过改善内皮依赖性血管舒张功能和增加心肌NO含量起作用。     

The oxidants hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide induce distinct patterns of acute lung injury

Oxidative stress due to activated neutrophils, macrophages and endothelial cells plays a crucial role in acute lung injury. This study compares the effects of the nonradical oxidants hypochlorite (HOCl) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on pulmonary artery pressure [PAPtorr], capillary filtration coefficient (Kf,c), tissue lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduced glutathione (GSH) depletion. HOCl, H2O2 (1000 nmol min(-1)) or buffer (control) is infused into isolated rabbit lungs. PAP, K(f,c) and lung weight were measured. Experiments were terminated after 105 min or when fluid retention exceeded 50 g. Lung tissue was analyzed for LPO products and GSH. The oxidants induced comparable maximum effects. However, the patterns of lung injury were distinct: H2O2 infusion evoked an early biphasic pressure response (DeltaPAPmax 2.8+/-0.22/4.2+/-0.37 after 5.7+/-1.4/39+/-4.0 min) and a sixfold increase in Kf,c after 90 min. HOCl application caused a late pressure response (DeltaPAPmax 7.6+/-1.7 after 50.6+/-3.7 min) and a sevenfold increase in Kf,c after 60 min. H2O2-induced effects were attenuated by desferal. This may suggest an involvement of transition metal catalysed hydroxyl radical formation. Different oxidants induced distinct patterns of changes in PAP and Kf,c , which are accompanied by a comparable accumulation of LPO products and by a distinct degree of GSH depletion.     

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid is a potent in vitro scavenger of peroxynitrite, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion and hypochlorous acid and prevents in vivo ozone-induced tyrosine nitration in lungs

The antioxidant nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) has recently become well known as a putative anticancer drug. In this paper, it was evaluated the in vitro peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)), singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)), hydroxyl radical (OH(v)), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), superoxide anion and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) scavenging capacity of NDGA. It was found that NDGA scavenges: (a) ONOO(-) (IC(50) = 4 +/- 0.94 microM) as efficiently as uric acid; (b) (1)O(2) (IC(50) = 151 +/- 20 microM) more efficiently than dimethyl thiourea, lipoic acid, N-acetyl-cysteine and glutathione; (c) OH(v) (IC(50) = 0.15 +/- 0.02 microM) more efficiently than dimethyl thiourea, uric acid, trolox, dimethyl sulfoxide and mannitol, (d) (IC(50) = 15 +/- 1 microM) more efficiently than N-acetyl-cysteine, glutathione, tempol and deferoxamine and (e) HOCl (IC(50) = 622 +/- 42 microM) as efficiently as lipoic acid and N-acetyl-cysteine. NDGA was unable to scavenge H(2)O(2). In an in vivo study in rats, NDGA was able to prevent ozone-induced tyrosine nitration in lungs. It is concluded that NDGA is a potent in vitro scavenger of ONOO(-), (1)O(2), OH(v), and HOCl and is able to prevent lung tyrosine nitration in vivo.     

Postnatal development of the hepatobiliary transport of phenolsulfonphthalein in rats

1. The postnatal development of the biliary excretion of phenolsulfonphthalein (PSP) was studied in male Wistar rats. 2. Following i.v. injection of PSP at 200 mumol/kg body wt, a maximal biliary excretion of 175 +/- 10 nmol/min/100 g body wt and 32 +/- 5 nmol/min/100 g body wt was reached for unconjugated and conjugated PSP, respectively, in the adult group. 3. The maximal biliary excretion of conjugated PSP was significantly lower in the 20-, 30- and 40-day-old groups as compared to the adults. The excretion of unconjugated dye was also significantly lower in 20- and 30-day-old rats. 4. The postnatal development of PSP excretion was unrelated to changes in the activity of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase. The importance of other factors is also discussed.     

The NADH oxidase activity of the plasma membrane of synaptosomes is a major source of superoxide anion and is inhibited by peroxynitrite

Plasma membrane vesicles from adult rat brain synaptosomes (PMV) have an ascorbate-dependent NADH oxidase activity of 35-40 nmol/min/(mg protein) at saturation by NADH. NADPH is a much less efficient substrate of this oxidase activity, with a Vmax 10-fold lower than that measured for NADH. Ascorbate-dependent NADH oxidase activity accounts for more than 90% of the total NADH oxidase activity of PMV and, in the absence of NADH and in the presence of 1 mm ascorbate, PMV produce ascorbate free radical (AFR) at a rate of 4.0 +/- 0.5 nmol AFR/min/(mg protein). NADH-dependent *O2- production by PMV occurs with a rate of 35 +/- 3 nmol/min/(mg protein), and is a coreaction product of the NADH oxidase activity, because: (i) it is inhibited by more than 90% by addition of ascorbate oxidase, (ii) it is inhibited by 1 micro g/mL wheat germ agglutinin (a potent inhibitor of the plasma membrane AFR reductase activity), and (iii) the KM(NADH) of the plasma membrane NADH oxidase activity and of NADH-dependent *O2- production are identical. Treatment of PMV with repetitive micromolar ONOO- pulses produced almost complete inhibition of the ascorbate-dependent NADH oxidase and *O2- production, and at 50% inhibition addition of coenzyme Q10 almost completely reverts this inhibition. Cytochrome c stimulated 2.5-fold the plasma membrane NADH oxidase, and pretreatment of PMV with repetitive 10 microm ONOO- pulses lowers the K0.5 for cytochrome c stimulation from 6 +/- 1 (control) to 1.5 +/- 0.5 microm. Thus, the ascorbate-dependent plasma membrane NADH oxidase activity can act as a source of neuronal.O2-, which is up-regulated by cytosolic cytochrome c and down-regulated under chronic oxidative stress conditions producing ONOO-.     

Human hepatic N-acetylglutamate content and N-acetylglutamate synthase activity. Determination by stable isotope dilution.

N-Acetyl-L-glutamate (N-acetylglutamate) content and N-acetylglutamate synthase activity ranges were established in human liver tissue homogenates by stable isotope dilution. The methods employ N-[methyl-2H3]acetyl[15N]glutamate as internal standard, extraction of N-acetylglutamate by anion-exchange technique and its determination by g.l.c.-mass spectrometry by using selected ion monitoring. Hepatic N-acetylglutamate content in 16 different human livers, normal in structure and function, ranged from 6.8 to 59.7 nmol/g wet wt. (25.0 +/- 13.4 mean +/- S.D.) or from 64.6 to 497.6 nmol/g of protein (223.2 +/- 104.2 mean +/- S.D.). In vitro, N-acetylglutamate synthase activity in liver tissue homogenate ranged from 44.5 to 374.5 (132.0 +/- 90.6 mean +/- S.D.) nmol/min per g wet wt. or from 491.7 to 3416.9 (1159.6 +/- 751.1 mean +/- S.D.) nmol/min per g of protein. No correlation was found between hepatic N-acetylglutamate concentrations and the respective maximal enzymic activities in vitro of N-acetylglutamate synthase. The marked variability in this system among individual livers may reflect its regulatory role in ureagenesis.     

Nitrite is an alternative source of NO in vivo

In this study, we investigated whether orally administered nitrite is changed to NO and whether nitrite attenuates hypertension in a dose-dependent manner. We utilized a stable isotope of [15N]nitrite (15NO2-) as a source of nitrite to distinguish between endogenous nitrite and that exogenously administered and measured hemoglobin (Hb)-NO as an index of circulating NO in whole blood using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. When 1 mg/kg Na15NO2 was orally administered to rats, an apparent EPR signal derived from Hb15NO (A(Z) = 23.4 gauss) appeared in the blood. The peak blood HbNO concentration occurred at the first measurement after intake (5 min) for treatment with 1 and 3 mg/kg (HbNO: 4.93 +/- 0.52 and 10.58 +/- 0.40 microM, respectively) and at 15 min with 10 mg/kg (HbNO: 38.27 +/- 9.23 microM). In addition, coadministration of nitrite (100 mg/l drinking water) with N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 1 g/l) for 3 wk significantly attenuated the L-NAME-induced hypertension (149 +/- 10 mmHg) compared with L-NAME alone (170 +/- 13 mmHg). Furthermore, this phenomenon was associated with an increase in circulating HbNO. Our findings clearly indicate that orally ingested nitrite can be an alternative to L-arginine as a source of NO in vivo and may explain, at least in part, the mechanism of the nitrite/nitrate-rich Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet-induced hypotensive effects.     

Characterization of superoxide-producing sites in isolated brain mitochondria

Mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I and III have been shown to produce superoxide but the exact contribution and localization of individual sites have remained unclear. We approached this question investigating the effects of oxygen, substrates, inhibitors, and of the NAD+/NADH redox couple on H2O2 and superoxide production of isolated mitochondria from rat and human brain. Although rat brain mitochondria in the presence of glutamate+malate alone do generate only small amounts of H2O2 (0.04 +/- 0.02 nmol H2O2/min/mg), a substantial production is observed after the addition of the complex I inhibitor rotenone (0.68 +/- 0.25 nmol H2O2/min/mg) or in the presence of the respiratory substrate succinate alone (0.80 +/- 0.27 nmol H2O2/min/mg). The maximal rate of H2O2 generation by respiratory chain complex III observed in the presence of antimycin A was considerably lower (0.14 +/- 0.07 nmol H2O2/min/mg). Similar observations were made for mitochondria isolated from human parahippocampal gyrus. This is an indication that most of the superoxide radicals are produced at complex I and that high rates of production of reactive oxygen species are features of respiratory chain-inhibited mitochondria and of reversed electron flow, respectively. We determined the redox potential of the superoxide production site at complex I to be equal to -295 mV. This and the sensitivity to inhibitors suggest that the site of superoxide generation at complex I is most likely the flavine mononucleotide moiety. Because short-term incubation of rat brain mitochondria with H2O2 induced increased H2O2 production at this site we propose that reactive oxygen species can activate a self-accelerating vicious cycle causing mitochondrial damage and neuronal cell death.     

Role of intracellular buffering power on the mitochondria-cytosol pH gradient in the rat liver perfused at 4 degrees C

The factors regulating the amplitude and the pH gradient between cytosol and mitochondria (DeltapHmito-cyt) were investigated in the isolated rat liver perfused at 4 degrees C. Liver ATP content, pH, and buffering power of cytosolic and mitochondrial compartments were evaluated in situ using phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. No DeltapHmito-cyt was detected in the liver perfused without bicarbonate. Permeant weak acid in the perfusate (H2CO3, 25 mM, or isobutyric acid, 25, 50, or 100 mM) acidified both cytosol and mitochondria and revealed a DeltapHmito-cyt from 0.06 to 0.31 pH unit. Nevertheless, the manipulations of the DeltapHmito-cyt were more effective under bicarbonate-free conditions, due to the absence of buffering by H2CO3/HCO-3. In the absence of bicarbonate, the intracellular buffering power was threefold higher in the mitochondria (110 mmol/pH unit at pHmito 7.16) than in the cytosol (44 mmol/pH unit at pHcyt 7.30) and dependent on the matrix and cytosol pH, respectively. These buffering powers were almost double in the presence of bicarbonate. In the bicarbonate-free perfused liver, the respiratory activity was 0.08 +/- 0.02 micromol O2/min. g liver wet weight and the ATP turnover was only 40 +/- 7 nmol/min. g liver wet weight, indicating the weak activity of liver mitochondria when DeltapHmito-cyt was <0.05 pH unit. The ATP turnover during a 50 mM isobutyric acid load was 35 +/- 4 nmol/min. g liver wet weight whereas DeltapHmito-cyt rose to 0.26 +/- 0.02 pH unit and pHmito remained alkaline. Hence, although DeltapHmito-cyt was increased the ATP turnover remained unchanged. This work is the first evaluation of the mitochondrial buffering power in the isolated liver. The DeltapHmito-cyt observed within various acid loads reflected the differential titration of cytosol and mitochondria containing proteins and H2CO3/HCO-3 buffering systems. Moreover, no direct relationship between DeltapHmito-cyt and ATP turnover could be shown.     

IL-2 induces pulmonary edema and vasoconstriction independent of circulating lymphocytes

We investigated the effect of IL-2 in the isolated guinea pig lung perfused with phosphate-buffered Ringer's solution (containing 0.5 g/100 ml albumin and 5.5 mM dextrose) to determine the mechanism of IL-2-induced pulmonary edema. IL-2 (0 to 10,000 U/ml) was added to the perfusate following a 10 min baseline steady-state period. Pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa), pulmonary capillary pressure (Ppc), and change in lung weight (as a measure of developing pulmonary edema) were recorded at 0, 10, 30, 40, and 60 min. The capillary filtration coefficient (Kf.c), an index of vascular permeability to water, was measured at 30 and 60 min. Infusion of IL-2 increased Ppc (from 3.9 +/- 0.1 cm H2O at baseline to 8.8 +/- 1.1 cm H2O at 60 min for IL-2 at 2000 U/ml, p less than 0.01; and from 3.8 +/- 0.1 cm H2O at baseline to 8.9 +/- 0.6 cm H2O at 60 min for IL-2 at 10,000 U/ml, p less than 0.01. The lung weight also increased (32% at IL-2 concentration of 2000 U/ml, and 26% at IL-2 concentration of 10,000 U/ml) The capillary filtration coefficient did not change with IL-2 infusion. The IL-2 response was prevented using the pulmonary vasodilator, papaverine. The infusion of IL-2 was associated with the generation of thromboxane A2(TxA2) in the effluent perfusate. Inhibition of TxA2 synthetase using Dazoxiben prevented the pulmonary vasoconstriction and edema response to IL-2. In addition, IL-2 had no effect on the transendothelial clearance of 125I-albumin. The results indicate that IL-2 causes pulmonary edema secondary to an increase in Ppc. The response is mediated by IL-2 stimulation of TxA2 generation from the lung.     

Evidence of nitric oxide and angiotensin II regulation of circulation and cutaneous drinking in Bufo marinus

The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) increased vascular resistance (VR) 10% above baseline of 3.08+/-0.08 (n=11) mmHg/mL/min at 10 mg/kg and 20% above 3.05+/-0.08 (n=9) at 50 mg/kg in anesthetized toads (Bufo marinus). Blood pressure was unaffected by either dose of L-NAME. Blood flow decreased at the higher dose of L-NAME. L-arginine (300 mg/kg) reversed the effects of L-NAME on VR and blood flow in toads treated with 10 mg/kg but not with 50 mg/kg. Injection of 50 mg/kg L-NAME into empty-bladder toads produced a 10% decrease in water uptake, J(v), resulting in a J(v) of 1,267+/-11 cm(3)/cm(2)/s x 10(-7) (n=9) compared to 1,385+/-12 (n=8) for controls. Injection of 10 microg/kg angiotensin II (ANG II) increased J(v) 15% across the pelvic patch (J(v), cm(3)/cm(2)/s x 10(-7)), resulting in a J(v) of 1,723+/-12 cm(3)/cm(2)/s x 10(-7) (n=8) compared to 1,471+/-12 (n=8) for controls. It is hypothesized that during cutaneous drinking blood flow into the capillary bed of the pelvic patch is regulated by nitric oxide and ANG II.