nitroarginine and Endotoxemia

We have investigated the mechanisms underlying acute changes in gastric motor function triggered by endotoxemia. In fundal strips from rats pre-treated with endotoxin (40 microg/kg, i.p. 30 min), mechanical activity was analyzed and the source of nitric oxide (NO) was visualized by confocal microscopy of tissue loaded with the fluorescent dye DAF-FM. NOS expression was determined by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot, and enzyme activity by the citrulline assay. Strips from endotoxin-treated rats were hypo-contractile. This was prevented by pre-incubation with the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin, the gangliar blocker hexamethonium, or non-selective and neuronal-specific NOS inhibitors (L-NOARG and TRIM, respectively). The soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) inhibitor ODQ and the inhibitor of small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels apamin prevented relaxation induced by endotoxin, nicotine, exogenous NO (DETA-NONOate), and the NO-independent sGC activator BAY 41-2272. NO synthesis was observed in neuronal soma, axons, and nerve endings of the myenteric plexus in the fundus of endotoxin-treated rats and was prevented by L-NAME, tetrodotoxin, and hexamethonium. nNOS and iNOS mRNA and protein contents were unchanged. Our findings demonstrate synthesis of NO in post-ganglionic myenteric neurons during early endotoxemia that mediates gastric hypo-contractility. The effect of NO is mediated via sGC and small conductance Ca2+-activated K+channels.

Topics: Animals; Apamin; Autonomic Fibers, Postganglionic; Carbachol; Dexamethasone; Endotoxemia; Gastric Fundus; Gastrointestinal Motility; Guanylate Cyclase; Microscopy, Confocal; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Nicotine; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Donors; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Nitroarginine; Nitroso Compounds; Peptide Fragments; Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated; Pyrazoles; Pyridines; Pyridoxal Phosphate; Rats; Suramin; Tetrodotoxin; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

We examined the contribution of nitric oxide (NO) on the contractile impairment in diaphragm muscles of endotoxemic rats. Force-frequency relationship was depressed 24 h after lipopolysaccharide administration. 7-Nitroindazole, aminoguanidine and 1H-[1,2,4]Oxadiazole (4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) partially restored the contractile impairment, Nomega-Nitro-L-Arginine (L-NNA) was ineffective. K+ contractions were reduced by 50% in endotoxemic muscles, 7-nitroindazole partially recovered, while aminoguanidine and L-NNA were ineffective. Verapamil reduced contractility to a greater extent in endotoxemic muscles. Caffeine and ryanodine contractions were augmented during endotoxemia without NOS contribution. L-NNA, 7-nitroindazole, ODQ and hemoglobin did not affect, but aminoguanidine completely restored partially inhibited neurotransmission by d-tubocurarine. Endotoxemia did not change membrane potentials and neurotransmitter release but slightly increased excitability. At this stage of endotoxemia, (1) constitutive NOS appears to be the dominant isoform, (2) NO does not have a major role on contractile dysfunction and (3) impairment could be explained by altered sensitivity of the voltage sensor. (4) NO does not substantially modulate neuromuscular transmission in normal and endotoxemic rats.

Topics: Animals; Caffeine; Diaphragm; Endotoxemia; Enzyme Inhibitors; Guanidines; In Vitro Techniques; Indazoles; Lipopolysaccharides; Male; Muscle Contraction; Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Nitroarginine; Oxadiazoles; Quinoxalines; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Ryanodine; Tubocurarine; Vasodilator Agents; Verapamil

The late phase of severe septic shock is associated with reduced cardiac output (CO) and activation of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). This study examined the effects of 1400 W (N-3-aminomethyl-benzyl-acetamidine), a new selective inhibitor of inducible NOS (iNOS), relative to those of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, non-selective inhibitor of NOS) and the vehicle, on mean arterial pressure (MAP), CO, total peripheral resistance (TPR) and tissue blood flow (BF) in thiobutabarbital-anesthetized rats with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 mg/kg, i.v.) induced endotoxemia. At 2.5 as well as 4 h after injection of LPS, MAP, CO, and BF of the stomach, skeletal muscle and skin were decreased, but TPR was increased, BF to the heart and kidneys were also decreased at 4 h after injection of LPS. Treatment of endotoxemic rats with 1400 W (3 mg/kg followed by 3 mg/kg/h, i.v.) at 2.5 h after endotoxin challenge prevented the late phase fall in MAP without exacerbating the decreases in CO and tissue BF. In contrast, treatment with L-NNA (8 mg/kg followed by 3 mg/kg/h, i.v.) at 2.5 h did not prevent the decline in MAP in the LPS-treated rats. Furthermore, CO drastically decreased, TPR markedly increased, and BF to the heart, brain, intestine and skeletal muscle were decreased at 4 h relative to the readings in saline- or 1400 W-treated endotoxemic rats. Therefore, selective inhibition of iNOS by 1400 W restores MAP without compromising CO, but non-selective inhibition of NOS is detrimental at the late stage of septic shock.

Topics: Amidines; Animals; Benzylamines; Blood Pressure; Cardiac Output; Endotoxemia; Enzyme Inhibitors; Escherichia coli; Heart Rate; Hemodynamics; Lipopolysaccharides; Male; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Nitroarginine; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Regional Blood Flow; Time Factors

We examined the effects of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) inhibition on the longitudinal distribution of pulmonary vascular resistance and on arachidonic acid metabolism during endotoxemia in awake sheep. Mean pulmonary artery (Ppa), left atrial (Pla), and systemic artery pressure (Psa) were continuously measured, and cardiac output (CO) was continuously monitored by an implanted ultrasonic flow probe. We advanced a 7-French Swan-Ganz catheter into distal pulmonary artery and measured the pulmonary microwedge pressure (Pmw) with the balloon deflated, allowing calculation of upstream pulmonary vascular resistance (PVRup = [Ppa - Pmw]/CO) and down-stream PVR (PVRdown = [Pmw - Pla]/CO), respectively. In paired studies, endotoxin (1 micro g/kg) was infused over 30 minutes with and without N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (NLA) treatment. NLA (20 mg/kg) was administered 30 minutes before endotoxin infusion. Endotoxin caused increases in PVRup and PVRdown. Pretreatment with NLA increases PVRup at baseline and enhanced increases in both PVRup and PVRdown during endotoxemia. Plasma level of thromboxane B(2) (TxB(2)) and prostacyclin (6-keto = PGF(1alpha)) significantly increased 1 hour after endotoxin administration (TxB(2), 308.3 +/- 94.8 [SE] to 2163.5 +/- 988.5 pg ml(-1), P <.05; 6-keto=PGF(1alpha), 155.6 +/- 91.4 to 564.9 +/- 131.8 pg ml(-1), P <.05), but the increased levels were similar to those in the NLA-pretreated animals. We conclude that endogenous NO mainly regulates precapillary vascular tone at baseline, and that NO modulated pre- and postcapillary vascular constriction during endotoxemia in sheep. It appears that cyclooxygenase production in response to endotoxin is unaffected by NO and its vascular effects.

Topics: 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; Animals; Endotoxemia; Enzyme Inhibitors; Hemodynamics; Nitric Oxide; Nitroarginine; Oxygen; Partial Pressure; Prostaglandins; Pulmonary Circulation; Sheep; Thromboxane B2; Vascular Resistance

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Arachidonic Acid; Arginine; Endotoxemia; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Lipopolysaccharides; Male; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Nitroarginine; Rabbits; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn

This study tested the hypothesis that overproduction of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) during endotoxemia may modulate coronary autoregulation and myocardial reactive hyperemia.. Hearts of endotoxin-pretreated rats and controls were isolated and arranged for perfusion in a Langendorff preparation. Autoregulation was studied by examining flow-pressure relations during stepwise changes in perfusion pressure. The contribution of nitric oxide was examined by perfusion with N omega-nitro-L-arginine (NNLA), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis and methylene blue (MB), an inhibitor of soluble guanylate-cyclase.. Endotoxin-treated hearts showed massive coronary vasodilatation and autoregulatory function was impaired at perfusion pressures from 20 to 60 mmHg. Both NNLA and MB reduced coronary flow, improved autoregulation and eliminated differences in coronary flow and autoregulation between the control and endotoxin-treated group. Vasoconstriction with vasopressin, a direct smooth muscle constrictor, could not eliminate differences in autoregulation between groups. Reactive hyperemia following coronary occlusion in endotoxin-treated hearts showed decreased duration, flow repayment and repayment ratio. In the presence of NNLA or MB, however, no significant differences in reactive hyperemic flow patterns were present.. These observations suggest that massive coronary vasodilatation due to increased myocardial NO synthesis can result in autoregulatory dysfunction and altered myocardial reactive hyperemia during endotoxemia.

Topics: Animals; Coronary Circulation; Coronary Vessels; Endotoxemia; Guanylate Cyclase; Homeostasis; Hyperemia; Male; Methylene Blue; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Nitroarginine; Nitroprusside; Oxygen Consumption; Perfusion; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Vasodilator Agents

The contractile and electrical properties of the mouse diaphragm during endotoxemia were studied, and the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) on these changes was investigated. The mice were injected intraperitoneally with E. coli. lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin, LPS) at various times before isolation of the diaphragm to induce endotoxemia. It was observed that direct twitch tension was slightly increased, and that there was a significant increase in tetanic tension when compared with controls. The potentiation of direct twitch tension induced by a Cl--channel blocker (9-anthracene carboxylic acid), but not the potentiation by a Na+-channel activator (veratridine) or by K+-channel blockers (uranyl ion, 4-aminopyridine and tetraethylammonium ion), was attenuated in the diaphragm of LPS-treated mice. Moreover, the resting membrane potential was significantly reduced and the membrane input resistance was significantly increased, largely due to a decrease in Cl--conductance. However, the membrane K+-conductance remained unaltered. These results imply that the sarcolemmal Cl--channel is markedly affected in the mouse diaphragm during endotoxemia. These changes of contractile and electrical characteristics of the mouse diaphragm during endotoxemia could be reversed by treatment with dexamethasone and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (NO synthase inhibitors). On the other hand, in in vitro studies, LPS (20 microg/ml), by itself, applied directly to the diaphragm, did not alter the muscle contractions or the membrane potentials. A NO donor, added to the diaphragm bath, increased the tetanus/twitch ratio and induced a transient depolarization. All of these findings suggest that LPS may, at least in part, affect the sarcolemmal electrical properties and muscle contractions during endotoxemia through the L-arginine:NO pathway.

Topics: Animals; Anthracenes; Chloride Channels; Dexamethasone; Diaphragm; Endotoxemia; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Lipopolysaccharides; Male; Membrane Potentials; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Smooth; Nitric Oxide; Nitroarginine; Nitroprusside

The Na+,K(+)-ATPase catalytic (alpha) subunit in sciatic nerve of lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin, LPS)-treated rat was investigated. Using Western blot to determine subunit isoform polypeptide levels in rat sciatic nerve, we found a substantial reduction in alpha 1 polypeptide, but not that of alpha 2 and alpha 3 polypeptides, after the administration of LPS. Moreover, when rats were treated with polymyxin B (a LPS neutralizer) and NG-nitro-L-arginine (an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase), the effects of LPS were reversed. These results implicate a specific marked deficit in alpha 1 subunit isoform of Na+,K(+)-ATPase in the pathogenesis of neuropathy during endotoxemia, through, at least in part, the L-arginine/NO pathway.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Binding Sites; Catalysis; Endotoxemia; Enzyme Inhibitors; Isoenzymes; Lipopolysaccharides; Male; Nitric Oxide; Nitroarginine; Peptide Fragments; Polymyxin B; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sciatic Nerve; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase

In this study we compared the circulatory effects of the arginine analogue non-specific nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine (NNA), and the specific inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitor S-methylisothiourea (SMT) and S-(2-aminoethyl)-isothiourea (AEST) in a hyperdynamic endotoxemic dog model. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), and myocardial contractility (MC) were measured. A hyperdynamic circulatory response was elicited with a 2-h infusion of a total dose of 5.3 micrograms/kg E. coli endotoxin (ETX). NOS inhibitory treatment (2 mg/kg) was administrated from the 45th min of endotoxemia. ETX induced a hyperdynamic circulatory response, and a significant myocardial depression. NNA induced a prolonged, SMT a transient increase in MC, both drugs elevated MAP, but decreased CO. AEST significantly prolonged the elevation in CO, but did not affect MAP. Selective inhibition of the iNOS may be a beneficial in sepsis.

Topics: Animals; beta-Aminoethyl Isothiourea; Blood Circulation; Blood Pressure; Cardiac Output; Disease Models, Animal; Dogs; Endotoxemia; Endotoxins; Enzyme Inhibitors; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Hemodynamics; Isothiuronium; Myocardial Contraction; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Nitroarginine; Ventricular Function, Left; Ventricular Pressure

Nitric oxide (NO) produced by the induced NO synthase (NOS) enzyme has been implicated in the mechanisms of the circulatory changes that occur in the later stages of sepsis. As NO produced by the constitutive form of the enzyme is known to play a role in the regulation of normal circulation, we have performed a series of experiments to study the early circulatory effects of inhibition of NOS in a hyperdynamic endotoxemic dog model. Pentobarbital-anesthetized animals were used. Cardiac output (CO) was measured by thermodilution. Myocardial contractility (MC) was estimated from the slope of the left ventricular end-systolic pressure-diameter relationship obtained from sonomicrometer- and catheter-tip manometer signals in closed chest animals. All animals received a 15 mL/kg/h infusion of Ringer's lactate. A hyperdynamic response was elicited by a 2 h infusion of a total dose of 5.3 micrograms/kg Escherichia coli O55:B5 endotoxin (ETX). CO increased initially by about 25%, and total peripheral resistance decreased by 35%. These changes subsided in 60-90 min, after which a sustained decrease in CO occurred. MC elevated transiently by 25% after the first 30 min of ETX infusion, then decreased gradually below the control level. Administration of 2 mg/kg of the NOS inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine (NNA) between the 45th and 55th min of the ETX infusion increased MC to the level in the control group, but accelerated the decline of the initially increased CO and caused a sustained increase in total peripheral resistance to about 50% above the control level. In normal (nonendotoxin treated) dogs, NNA also caused a similar increase in MC which, however, lasted at least 3 h. Left ventricular diameter increased in the NNA-treated groups. This increase also occurred in the endotoxin-only group but with a delay of about 2.5 h. Our results demonstrate the participation of constitutive NOS-produced NO in the early hyperdynamic response of endotoxemia. Suppression of NO is associated with increased myocardial contractility. NNA treatment may be favorable for the restoration of depressed cardiac contractility during endotoxemia, but this treatment is probably detrimental for the compensatory systemic flow (CO) increase.

Topics: Anesthesia; Animals; Blood Pressure; Cardiac Output; Disease Models, Animal; Dogs; Endotoxemia; Endotoxins; Enzyme Inhibitors; Female; Heart Rate; Heart Ventricles; Hemodynamics; Male; Myocardial Contraction; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Nitroarginine; Vascular Resistance

We have studied the effects of NG-nitro-L-arginine (NNA) a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, and aminoguanidine (AG) a diamine oxidase inhibitor, on hemodynamic parameters and plasma histamine level using a dog model in which a hyperdynamic circulatory response was elicited with a 2-hour infusion of a low dose (13.75 micrograms/kg) of E. coli 055:B5 endotoxin (ETX). AG (50 mg/kg) or NNA (0.5 mg/kg) was administered intravenously as pretreatment. Hemodynamic variables were studied for 4 hours after the beginning of the ETX infusion. The ETX-elicited hyperdynamic response was abolished by NNA and partially inhibited by AG. AG prevented the increases in cardiac output and heart rate and delayed the early decrease in total peripheral resistance (TPR). The plasma histamine concentration elevation was higher in animals receiving AG than in those receiving only ETX. In the group treated with ETX plus NNA the cardiac output was lower and the TPR was higher than in the ETX plus AG group. In future studies, AG should be considered as one of the possible therapeutic tools in sepsis, as its adverse effect on the compensatory hyperdynamic response is less than that of NOS inhibitors of the L-arginine analog type, while it may favourably influence the deleterious excessive activity of the inducible NOS in the later stages.

Topics: Animals; Blood Pressure; Cardiac Output; Dogs; Endotoxemia; Endotoxins; Escherichia coli; Guanidines; Heart Rate; Hemodynamics; Histamine; Histamine Release; Nitroarginine; Stroke Volume; Time Factors; Vascular Resistance