Sample records for endotoxin-induced nitric oxide

  1. The role of inducible nitric oxide synthase in vascular hyporeactivity of endotoxin-treated and portal hypertensive rats.

    PubMed

    Heinemann, A; Stauber, R E

    1995-05-04

    The involvement of the inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase in the vascular hyporeactivity in portal vein-ligated rats was assessed in isolated perfused mesenteric arterial beds. Aminoguanidine, a selective inhibitor of the inducible NO synthase, restored the pressor responses to methoxamine in arteries of endotoxin-treated rats, but was ineffective in hyporeactive portal vein-ligated vessels. NG-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester enhanced the responsiveness both in portal vein-ligated and sham-operated rats, without changing the difference between the two groups. These results not only indicate that the inducible NO synthase is not involved in the hyporeactivity to methoxamine in mesenteric arteries of portal hypertensive rats, but also suggest a role for factors other than NO.

  2. Involvement of nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide induced anorexia.

    PubMed

    Riediger, Thomas; Cordani, Caroline; Potes, Catarina Soares; Lutz, Thomas A

    2010-11-01

    Treatment with the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a commonly used model to induce disease-related anorexia. Following LPS treatment inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is expressed in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC), where nitric oxide (NO) inhibits orexigenic neurons. Intracellular STAT signaling is triggered by inflammatory stimuli and has been linked to the transcriptional regulation of iNOS. We evaluated whether pharmacological blockade of iNOS by the specific inhibitor 1400W attenuates LPS-induced anorexia. Furthermore, we hypothesized that the tolerance to the anorectic effect occurring after repeated LPS treatment is paralleled by a blunted STAT3 phosphorylation in the ARC. Rats treated with a subcutaneous injection of 1400W (10 mg/kg) showed an attenuated anorectic LPS response relative to control rats receiving only LPS (100 µg/kg; i.p.). Similarly, iNOS blockade attenuated LPS-induced adipsia, hyperthermia, inactivity and the concomitant drop in energy expenditure. While single LPS treatment increased STAT3 phosphorylation in the ARC, rats treated repeatedly with LPS showed no anorectic response and also no STAT3 phosphorylation in the ARC after the second and third LPS injections, respectively. Hence, pSTAT3 signaling in the ARC might be part of the intracellular cascades translating pro-inflammatory stimuli into suppression of food intake. The current findings substantiate a role of iNOS dependent NO formation in disease-related anorexia. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Contribution of vasoactive eicosanoids and nitric oxide production to the effect of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, NS-398, on endotoxin-induced hypotension in rats.

    PubMed

    Tunctan, Bahar; Korkmaz, Belma; Cuez, Tuba; Kemal Buharalioglu, C; Sahan-Firat, Seyhan; Falck, John; Malik, Kafait U

    2010-11-01

    Our previous studies with the use of non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, indomethacin, demonstrated that prostanoids produced during endotoxaemia increase inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression and nitric oxide synthesis, and decrease cyctochrome P450 (CYP) 4A1 protein expression and CYP 4A activity. The results suggest that dual inhibition of iNOS and COX by indomethacin restores blood pressure presumably due to increased production of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) derived from CYP 4A in endotoxaemic rats. The present study examined whether increased levels of vasoconstrictor eicosanoids, 20-HETE, prostaglandin F(2α) (PGF(2α) )and thromboxane A(2) (TxA(2) ), would contribute to the effect of selective COX-2 inhibition to prevent endotoxin (ET)-induced fall in blood pressure associated with an increase in the production of vasodilator prostanoids, prostaglandin I(2) (PGI(2) ) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2) ) and nitric oxide synthesis. Mean arterial blood pressure fell by 31 mmHg and heart rate (HR) rose by 90 beats/min. in male Wistar rats treated with ET (10 mg/kg, i.p.). The fall in mean arterial pressure and increase in HR were associated with increased levels of 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1α) (6-keto-PGF(1α) ), PGE(2) , TxB(2) , and nitrite in the serum, kidney, heart, thoracic aorta and/or superior mesenteric artery. Systemic and renal 20-HETE and PGF(2α) levels were also decreased in endotoxaemic rats. These effects of ET were prevented by a selective COX-2 inhibitor, N-(2-cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl)methansulphonamide (10 mg/kg, i.p.), given 1 hr after injection of ET. These data suggest that an increase in 20-HETE and PGF(2α) levels associated with decreased production of PGI(2) , PGE(2) , and TxA(2) , and nitric oxide synthesis contributes to the effect of selective COX-2 inhibitor to prevent the hypotension during rat endotoxaemia. © 2010 The Authors. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology © 2010 Nordic

  4. Effect of fluoroquinolone on the enhanced nitric oxide-induced peripheral vasodilation seen in cirrhosis.

    PubMed

    Chin-Dusting, J P; Rasaratnam, B; Jennings, G L; Dudley, F J

    1997-12-01

    In patients with cirrhosis, portosystemic shunts allow intestinal bacteria and endotoxin to enter the systemic circulation. Endotoxemia may induce increased synthesis of nitric oxide, thereby contributing to arterial vasodilation. To test the hypothesis that the antibiotic norfloxacin blocks the effects of nitric oxide. Placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study. Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. 9 patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis and 10 healthy controls. Norfloxacin, 400 mg twice daily, for 4 weeks. Peripheral blood flow was measured by using forearm venous occlusion plethysmography. Basal forearm blood flow was higher in patients with cirrhosis than in controls (3.69 +/- 0.27 mL/100 mL per minute and 2.47 +/- 0.40 mL/100 mL per minute; P = 0.014) but returned toward normal after norfloxacin was given (2.64 +/- 0.31 mL/100 mL of tissue per minute in patients with cirrhosis). Responses to NG-monomethyl-L-arginine were greater in patients with cirrhosis but returned to normal after norfloxacin was given. Bacterial endotoxemia in patients with cirrhosis induces increased synthesis of nitric oxide that can be corrected with norfloxacin.

  5. [Effect of inducible nitric oxide on intracellular homeostasis of hepatocytes].

    PubMed

    Tang, Xi-Feng; Zhou, Dong-Yao; Kang, Ge-Fei

    2002-02-01

    To investigate the effects of inducible nitric oxide (NO) and exogenous NO on the intracellular homeostasis of the hepatocytes. Endogenous NO was induced by combined action of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cytokines in cultured rat hepatocytes, and exogenous NO was supplied by sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to stimulate the hepatocytes. The changes in intracellular malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione(GSH) and free calcium ([Ca2+]i) were observed. substantial increase by 7.97 times in intracellular MDA level and a decrease by 57.9% in GSH occurred in the hepatocytes after the cells had been incubated with LPS and cytokines for 24 h, which were reversed by 43.5% and 98.4% respectively by treatment with N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA), a competitive nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor. Verapamil significantly reduced both endogenous NO production and oxidative stress, while the effect of A23187 was not conspicuous. Incubation with chlorpromazine and Vitamine E (VitE), however, did not result in decreased release of NO by LPS- and cytokines-induced hepatocytes. After SNP exposure of the hepatocytes, the oxidative status was reversibly enhanced in a time-dependent manner. Short exposure to SNP led to a concentration-dependent inhibition of the rapid and transient increase in free calcium induced by K(+) depolarization and hepatopoietin-coupled calcium mobilization. Inducible NO may initiate and play a key role in the latter stages of metabolic and functional stress responses of hepatocytes against endotoxin and cytokines, when the reduction occurs in the capacity of NO to independently mediate lipid peroxidation and counteract oxidation. The inhibitory effect of NO on [Ca2+]i mobilization may be an important autoregulatory mechanism by means of negative feedback on protein kinase C-associated NOS induction.

  6. Identification of inducible nitric oxide synthase in human macrophages surrounding loosened hip prostheses.

    PubMed Central

    Watkins, S. C.; Macaulay, W.; Turner, D.; Kang, R.; Rubash, H. E.; Evans, C. H.

    1997-01-01

    Exposure of rodent macrophages to certain cytokines and endotoxin results in the synthesis of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS or NOS-II) leading to the production of large amounts of nitric oxide (NO). Cultures of human macrophages, in contrast, do not produce iNOS after cytokine stimulation, and their ability to act as a physiological source of NO remains questionable. Here we have used immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization to demonstrate the presence of iNOS within human macrophages present in the interfacial membrane and pseudocapsule that surround failed prosthetic hip joints. Synovial tissue recovered from normal human joints did not express iNOS. Many of the iNOS-positive macrophages within the interfacial membrane had phagocytosed large amounts of polyethylene wear debris, suggesting a role for phagocytic stimuli in inducing iNOS in human macrophages. These findings additionally support a role for NO in modulating the localized bone resorption that accompanies the aseptic loosening of prosthetic joints. Images Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 PMID:9094976

  7. Expression and Activity of Nitric Oxide Synthase Isoforms in Methamphetamine-Induced Striatal Dopamine Toxicity

    PubMed Central

    Friend, Danielle M.; Son, Jong H.; Keefe, Kristen A.

    2013-01-01

    Nitric oxide is implicated in methamphetamine (METH)-induced neurotoxicity; however, the source of the nitric oxide has not been identified. Previous work has also revealed that animals with partial dopamine loss induced by a neurotoxic regimen of methamphetamine fail to exhibit further decreases in striatal dopamine when re-exposed to methamphetamine 7–30 days later. The current study examined nitric oxide synthase expression and activity and protein nitration in striata of animals administered saline or neurotoxic regimens of methamphetamine at postnatal days 60 and/or 90, resulting in four treatment groups: Saline:Saline, METH:Saline, Saline:METH, and METH:METH. Acute administration of methamphetamine on postnatal day 90 (Saline:METH and METH:METH) increased nitric oxide production, as evidenced by increased protein nitration. Methamphetamine did not, however, change the expression of endothelial or inducible isoforms of nitric oxide synthase, nor did it change the number of cells positive for neuronal nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression or the amount of neuronal nitric oxide synthase mRNA per cell. However, nitric oxide synthase activity in striatal interneurons was increased in the Saline:METH and METH:METH animals. These data suggest that increased nitric oxide production after a neurotoxic regimen of methamphetamine results from increased nitric oxide synthase activity, rather than an induction of mRNA, and that constitutively expressed neuronal nitric oxide synthase is the most likely source of nitric oxide after methamphetamine administration. Of interest, animals rendered resistant to further methamphetamine-induced dopamine depletions still show equivalent degrees of methamphetamine-induced nitric oxide production, suggesting that nitric oxide production alone in response to methamphetamine is not sufficient to induce acute neurotoxic injury. PMID:23230214

  8. Nitric oxide is cytoprotective to breast cancer spheroids vulnerable to estrogen-induced apoptosis

    PubMed Central

    Shafran, Yana; Zurgil, Naomi; Ravid-Hermesh, Orit; Sobolev, Maria; Afrimzon, Elena; Hakuk, Yaron; Shainberg, Asher; Deutsch, Mordechai

    2017-01-01

    Estrogen-induced apoptosis has become a successful treatment for postmenopausal metastatic, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Nitric oxide involvement in the response to this endocrine treatment and its influence upon estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer progression is still unclear. Nitric oxide impact on the MCF7 breast cancer line, before and after estrogen-induced apoptosis, was investigated in 3D culture systems using unique live-cell imaging methodologies. Spheroids were established from MCF7 cells vulnerable to estrogen-induced apoptosis, before and after exposure to estrogen. Spheroids derived from estrogen-treated cells exhibited extensive apoptosis levels with downregulation of estrogen receptor expression, low proliferation rate and reduced metabolic activity, unlike spheroids derived from non-treated cells. In addition to basic phenotypic differences, these two cell cluster types are diverse in their reactions to exogenous nitric oxide. A dual effect of nitric oxide was observed in the breast cancer phenotype sensitive to estrogen-induced apoptosis. Nitric oxide, at the nanomolar level, induced cell proliferation, high metabolic activity, downregulation of estrogen receptor and enhanced collective invasion, contributing to a more aggressive phenotype. Following hormone supplementation, breast cancer 3D clusters were rescued from estrogen-induced apoptosis by these low nitric oxide-donor concentrations, since nitric oxide attenuates cell death levels, upregulates survivin expression and increases metabolic activity. Higher nitric oxide concentrations (100nM) inhibited cell growth, metabolism and promoted apoptosis. These results suggest that nitric oxide, in nanomolar concentrations, may inhibit estrogen-induced apoptosis, playing a major role in hormonal therapy. Inhibiting nitric oxide activity may benefit breast cancer patients and ultimately reduce tumor recurrence. PMID:29312577

  9. Nitric oxide ameliorates the damaging effects of oxidative stress induced by iron deficiency in cyanobacterium Anabaena 7120.

    PubMed

    Kaushik, Manish Singh; Srivastava, Meenakshi; Srivastava, Alka; Singh, Anumeha; Mishra, Arun Kumar

    2016-11-01

    In cyanobacterium Anabaena 7120, iron deficiency leads to oxidative stress with unavoidable consequences. Nitric oxide reduces pigment damage and supported the growth of Anabaena 7120 in iron-deficient conditions. Elevation in nitric oxide accumulation and reduced superoxide radical production justified the role of nitric oxide in alleviating oxidative stress in iron deficiency. Increased activities of antioxidative enzymes and higher levels of ROS scavengers (ascorbate, glutathione and thiol) in iron deficiency were also observed in the presence of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide also supported the membrane integrity of Anabaena cells and reduces protein and DNA damage caused by oxidative stress induced by iron deficiency. Results suggested that nitric oxide alleviates the damaging effects of oxidative stress induced by iron deficiency in cyanobacterium Anabaena 7120.

  10. Nitric oxide-induced interstrand cross-links in DNA.

    PubMed

    Caulfield, Jennifer L; Wishnok, John S; Tannenbaum, Steven R

    2003-05-01

    The DNA damaging effects of nitrous acid have been extensively studied, and the formation of interstrand cross-links have been observed. The potential for this cross-linking to occur through a common nitrosating intermediate derived from nitric oxide is investigated here. Using a HPLC laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) system, the amount of interstrand cross-link formed on nitric oxide treatment of the 5'-fluorescein-labeled oligomer ATATCGATCGATAT was determined. This self-complimentary sequence contains two 5'-CG sequences, which is the preferred site for nitrous acid-induced cross-linking. Nitric oxide was delivered to an 0.5 mM oligomer solution at 15 nmol/mL/min to give a final nitrite concentration of 652 microM. The resulting concentration of the deamination product, xanthine, in this sample was found to be 211 +/- 39 nM, using GC/MS, and the amount of interstrand cross-link was determined to be 13 +/- 2.5 nM. Therefore, upon nitric oxide treatment, the cross-link is found at approximately 6% of the amount of the deamination product. Using this system, detection of the cross-link is also possible for significantly lower doses of nitric oxide, as demonstrated by treatment of the same oligomer with NO at a rate of 18 nmol/mL/min resulting in a final nitrite concentration of 126 microM. The concentration of interstrand cross-link was determined to be 3.6 +/- 0.1 nM in this sample. Therefore, using the same dose rate, when the total nitric oxide concentration delivered drops by a factor of approximately 5, the concentration of cross-link drops by a factor of about 4-indicating a qausi-linear response. It may now be possible to predict the number of cross-links in a small genome based on the number of CpG sequences and the yield of xanthine derived from nitrosative deamination.

  11. Nitric oxide-induced calcium release: activation of type 1 ryanodine receptor by endogenous nitric oxide.

    PubMed

    Kakizawa, Sho; Yamazawa, Toshiko; Iino, Masamitsu

    2013-01-01

    Ryanodine receptors (RyRs), located in the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum (SR/ER) membrane, are required for intracellular Ca2+ release that is involved in a wide range of cellular functions. In addition to Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release in cardiac cells and voltage-induced Ca2+ release in skeletal muscle cells, we recently identified another mode of intracellular Ca2+ mobilization mediated by RyR, i.e., nitric oxide-induced Ca2+ release (NICR), in cerebellar Purkinje cells. NICR is evoked by neuronal activity, is dependent on S-nitrosylation of type 1 RyR (RyR1) and is involved in the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) of cerebellar synapses. In this addendum, we examined whether peroxynitrite, which is produced by the reaction of nitric oxide with superoxide, may also have an effect on the Ca2+ release via RyR1 and the cerebellar LTP. We found that scavengers of peroxynitrite have no significant effect either on the Ca2+ release via RyR1 or on the cerebellar LTP. We also found that an application of a high concentration of peroxynitrite does not reproduce neuronal activity-dependent Ca2+ release in Purkinje cells. These results support that NICR is induced by endogenous nitric oxide produced by neuronal activity through S-nitrosylation of RyR1.

  12. Effect of thalidomide on endotoxin-induced decreases in activity and expression of hepatic cytochrome P450 3A2.

    PubMed

    Ueyama, Jun; Nadai, Masayuki; Zhao, Ying Lan; Kanazawa, Hiroaki; Takagi, Kenji; Kondo, Takaaki; Takagi, Kenzo; Wakusawa, Shinya; Abe, Fumie; Saito, Hiroko; Miyamoto, Ken-Ichi; Hasegawa, Takaaki

    2008-08-01

    Thalidomide has been reported to inhibit the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide (NO) that are involved in the down-regulation of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) induced by endotoxin. In the present study, we investigated the effects of thalidomide on endotoxin-induced decreases in the activity and expression of hepatic CYP3A2 in rats. Thalidomide (50 mg/kg) was administered orally 22 h and 2 h before intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin (1 mg/kg). Twenty-four hours after the injection of endotoxin, antipyrine clearance experiments were conducted, in which the rats were sacrificed and protein levels of hepatic CYP3A2 were measured. There were no significant differences in the histopathological changes in the liver between the endotoxin-treated and endotoxin plus thalidomide-treated rats. Thalidomide had no effect on the systemic clearance of antipyrine, which is a proper indicator for hepatic CYP3A2 activity, whereas it enhanced endotoxin-induced decrease in the systemic clearance of antipyrine. Western blot analysis revealed that thalidomide had no effect on the protein levels of hepatic CYP3A2, whereas it enhanced the down-regulation of hepatic CYP3A2 by endotoxin. However, there were no significant differences in the concentrations of TNF-alpha and NO in plasma between the endotoxin-treated and endotoxin plus thalidomide-treated rats. The present findings suggest that thalidomide enhances endotoxin-induced decreases in the activity and expression of hepatic CYP3A2.

  13. Apigenin Alleviates Endotoxin-Induced Myocardial Toxicity by Modulating Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Autophagy

    PubMed Central

    Li, Fang; Lang, Fangfang; Zhang, Huilin; Xu, Liangdong; Wang, Yidan; Zhai, Chunxiao

    2017-01-01

    Apigenin, a component in daily diets, demonstrates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we intended to explore the mechanism of apigenin-mediated endotoxin-induced myocardial injury and its role in the interplay among inflammation, oxidative stress, and autophagy. In our lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced myocardial injury model, apigenin ameliorated cardiac injury (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK)), cell death (TUNEL staining, DNA fragmentation, and PARP activity), and tissue damage (cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and cardiac myosin light chain-1 (cMLC1)) and improved cardiac function (ejection fraction (EF) and end diastolic left ventricular inner dimension (LVID)). Apigenin also alleviated endotoxin-induced myocardial injury by modulating oxidative stress (nitrotyrosine and protein carbonyl) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, MIP-1α, and MIP-2) along with their master regulator NFκB. Apigenin modulated redox homeostasis, and its anti-inflammatory role might be associated with its ability to control autophagy. Autophagy (determined by LAMP1, ATG5, and p62), its transcriptional regulator transcription factor EB (TFEB), and downstream target genes including vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 11 (Vps11) and microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (Map1lc3) were modulated by apigenin. Thus, our study demonstrated that apigenin may lead to potential development of new target in sepsis treatment or other myocardial oxidative and/or inflammation-induced injuries. PMID:28828145

  14. Apigenin Alleviates Endotoxin-Induced Myocardial Toxicity by Modulating Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Autophagy.

    PubMed

    Li, Fang; Lang, Fangfang; Zhang, Huilin; Xu, Liangdong; Wang, Yidan; Zhai, Chunxiao; Hao, Enkui

    2017-01-01

    Apigenin, a component in daily diets, demonstrates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we intended to explore the mechanism of apigenin-mediated endotoxin-induced myocardial injury and its role in the interplay among inflammation, oxidative stress, and autophagy. In our lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced myocardial injury model, apigenin ameliorated cardiac injury (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK)), cell death (TUNEL staining, DNA fragmentation, and PARP activity), and tissue damage (cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and cardiac myosin light chain-1 (cMLC1)) and improved cardiac function (ejection fraction (EF) and end diastolic left ventricular inner dimension (LVID)). Apigenin also alleviated endotoxin-induced myocardial injury by modulating oxidative stress (nitrotyrosine and protein carbonyl) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF- α , IL-1 β , MIP-1 α , and MIP-2) along with their master regulator NF κ B. Apigenin modulated redox homeostasis, and its anti-inflammatory role might be associated with its ability to control autophagy. Autophagy (determined by LAMP1, ATG5, and p62), its transcriptional regulator transcription factor EB (TFEB), and downstream target genes including vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 11 (Vps11) and microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (Map1lc3) were modulated by apigenin. Thus, our study demonstrated that apigenin may lead to potential development of new target in sepsis treatment or other myocardial oxidative and/or inflammation-induced injuries.

  15. Endotoxin-induced nitric oxide production rescues airway growth and maturation in atrophic fetal rat lung explants

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Rae, C.; Cherry, J.I.; Land, F.M.

    Inflammation induces premature maturation of the fetal lung but the signals causing this effect remain unclear. We determined if nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, evoked by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 2 {mu}g ml{sup -1}), participated in this process. Fetal rat lung airway surface complexity rose 2.5-fold over 96 h in response to LPS and was associated with increased iNOS protein expression and activity. iNOS inhibition by N6-(1-iminoethyl)-L-lysine-2HCl (L-NIL) abolished this and induced airway atrophy similar to untreated explants. Surfactant protein-C (SP-C) expression was also induced by LPS and abolished by L-NIL. As TGF{beta} suppresses iNOS activity, we determined if feedback regulationmore » modulated NO-dependent maturation. LPS induced TGF{beta}1 release and SMAD4 nuclear translocation 96 h after treatment. Treatment of explants with a blocking antibody against TGF{beta}1 sustained NO production and airway morphogenesis whereas recombinant TGF{beta}1 antagonized these effects. Feedback regulation of NO synthesis by TGF{beta} may, thus, modulate airway branching and maturation of the fetal lung.« less

  16. Investigation on oxidative stress of nitric oxide synthase interacting protein from Clonorchis sinensis.

    PubMed

    Bian, Meng; Xu, Qingxia; Xu, Yanquan; Li, Shan; Wang, Xiaoyun; Sheng, Jiahe; Wu, Zhongdao; Huang, Yan; Yu, Xinbing

    2016-01-01

    Numerous evidences indicate that excretory-secretory products (ESPs) from liver flukes trigger the generation of free radicals that are associated with the initial pathophysiological responses in host cells. In this study, we first constructed a Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis, Cs)-infected BALB/c mouse model and examined relative results respectively at 3, 5, 7, and 9 weeks postinfection (p.i.). Quantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR indicated that the transcriptional level of both endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) gradually decreased with lastingness of infection, while the transcriptional level of inducible NOS (iNOS) significantly increased. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in sera of infected mouse significantly increased versus the healthy control group. These results showed that the liver of C. sinensis-infected mouse was in a state with elevated levels of oxidation stress. Previously, C. sinensis NOS interacting protein coding gene (named CsNOSIP) has been isolated and recombinant CsNOSIP (rCsNOSIP) has been expressed in Escherichia coli, which has been confirmed to be a component present in CsESPs and confirmed to play important roles in immune regulation of the host. In the present paper, we investigated the effects of rCsNOSIP on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activated RAW264.7, a murine macrophage cell line. We found that endotoxin-free rCsNOSIP significantly promoted the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) after pretreated with rCsNOSIP, while the level of SOD decreased. Furthermore, rCsNOSIP could also increase the level of lipid peroxidation MDA. Taken together, these results suggested that CsNOSIP was a key molecule which was involved in the production of nitric oxide (NO) and its reactive intermediates, and played an important role in oxidative stress during C. sinensis infection.

  17. Nitric oxide protects murine embryonic liver cells (BNL CL.2) from cytotoxicity induced by glucose deprivation.

    PubMed

    Pae, H O; Kim, H G; Paik, Y S; Paik, S G; Kim, Y M; Oh, G S; Chung, H T

    2000-03-01

    We investigated the protective effects of nitric oxide on cell death of murine embryonic liver cells (BNL CL.2) after glucose deprivation. Endogenous nitric oxide production by BNL CL.2 cells was induced by 6 hr pretreatment with interferon-gamma and lipopolysaccharide. We used sodium nitroprusside and S-nitroso-L-glutathione as exogenous nitric oxide-generating compounds. All agents were used at doses that did not show direct cytotoxicity as measured by crystal violet staining assay. In the BNL CL.2 cells, the viability dropped very steeply after 24 hr incubation with glucose-free media. Endogenous nitric oxide produced by treatment of the cells with interferon-gamma and lipopolysaccharide protected the cells from glucose deprivation-induced cytotoxicity, but did not protect them in the presence of the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor, N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine. Exogenous nitric oxide protected the cells from glucose deprivation-induced cytotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. Cytoprotection by nitric oxide donors was abolished by the use of nitric oxide scavenger, 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5,-tetramethylimidazole, but not by the soluble guanosine cyclase inhibitor, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one. In addition, cytoprotective effects comparable to endogenous or exogenous nitric oxide were not observed when the cells were incubated with dibutyl guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. Based upon these results, we suggest that nitric oxide may enhance the cell survival of BNL CL.2 cells after glucose deprivation via a guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-independent pathway.

  18. Nitric oxide: a physiologic messenger.

    PubMed

    Lowenstein, C J; Dinerman, J L; Snyder, S H

    1994-02-01

    To review the physiologic role of nitric oxide, an unusual messenger molecule that mediates blood vessel relaxation, neurotransmission, and pathogen suppression. A MEDLINE search of articles published from 1987 to 1993 that addressed nitric oxide and the enzyme that synthesizes it, nitric oxide synthase. Animal and human studies were selected from 3044 articles to analyze the clinical importance of nitric oxide. Descriptions of the structure and function of nitric oxide synthase were selected to show how nitric oxide acts as a biological messenger molecule. Biochemical and physiologic studies were analyzed if the same results were found by three or more independent observers. Two major classes of nitric oxide synthase enzymes produce nitric oxide. The constitutive isoforms found in endothelial cells and neurons release small amounts of nitric oxide for brief periods to signal adjacent cells, whereas the inducible isoform found in macrophages releases large amounts of nitric oxide continuously to eliminate bacteria and parasites. By diffusing into adjacent cells and binding to enzymes that contain iron, nitric oxide plays many important physiologic roles. It regulates blood pressure, transmits signals between neurons, and suppresses pathogens. Excess amounts, however, can damage host cells, causing neurotoxicity during strokes and causing the hypotension associated with sepsis. Nitric oxide is a simple molecule with many physiologic roles in the cardiovascular, neurologic, and immune systems. Although the general principles of nitric oxide synthesis are known, further research is necessary to determine what role it plays in causing disease.

  19. Pu-erh Tea Reduces Nitric Oxide Levels in Rats by Inhibiting Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression through Toll-Like Receptor 4

    PubMed Central

    Xu, Yang; Wang, Guan; Li, Chunjie; Zhang, Min; Zhao, Hang; Sheng, Jun; Shi, Wei

    2012-01-01

    Pu-erh tea undergoes a unique fermentation process and contains theabrownins, polysaccharides and caffeine; although it is unclear about which component is associated with the down regulation of nitric oxide levels or how this process is mediated. To address this question we examined the effects of pu-erh tea on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) genes. Cohorts of rats were separately given four-week treatments of water as control, pu-erh tea, or the tea components: theabrownins, caffeine or polysaccharides. Five experimental groups were injected with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to induce nitric oxide (NO) production, while the corresponding five control groups were injected with saline as a negative control. The serum and liver NO concentrations were examined and the NOS expression of both mRNA and protein was measured in liver. The results showed that the rats which were fed pu-erh tea or polysaccharides had lower levels of NO which corresponded with the down-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. We further demonstrate that this effect is mediated through reduction of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling. Thus we find that the polysaccharide components in pu-erh tea reduce NO levels in an animal model by inhibiting the iNOS expression via signaling through TLR4. PMID:22837686

  20. Ethanol exposure induces oxidative stress and impairs nitric oxide availability in the human placental villi: a possible mechanism of toxicity.

    PubMed

    Kay, H H; Grindle, K M; Magness, R R

    2000-03-01

    We undertook this investigation to explore the effects of ethanol exposure on nitric oxide synthase levels and nitric oxide release. Our hypothesis was that ethanol exposure modifies nitric oxide activity within the placenta as a result of oxidative stress. Four 10-g samples of term normal human placental villous tissue were perifused with nonrecirculating Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium and 25-mmol/L N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-[2-ethanesulfonic acid] with 0-, 50-, 100-, or 200-mmol/L ethanol. After 2 hours of exposure, tissue was removed, fixed, and frozen for analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed for subtype I or neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), subtype II or inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and subtype III or endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) localization. Western blot analysis was performed for eNOS quantitation. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate and copper-zinc superoxide dismutase levels were measured by electroimmunoassay and kinetic assay, respectively. Nitric oxide release was analyzed by a Sievers nitric oxide analyzer. Immunohistochemical examination confirmed that only eNOS was localized to the syncytiotrophoblasts. After ethanol exposure, eNOS protein expression increased 2.5- to 3.0-fold over that of the control. Tissue cyclic guanosine monophosphate content and nitric oxide release into the effluent were decreased, whereas superoxide dismutase levels were increased at higher ethanol levels (P <.05). Ethanol exposure appears to induce oxidative stress, which may account for the decreased nitric oxide release, because nitric oxide may be shunted toward scavenging free radicals. Increased eNOS protein expression may be a response to the increased demand for nitric oxide. Decreased nitric oxide availability could adversely affect placental blood flow regulation, which could, in turn, account for the growth restriction seen in ethanol-exposed fetuses.

  1. Investigation on Quantitative Structure Activity Relationships of a Series of Inducible Nitric Oxide.

    PubMed

    Sharma, Mukesh C; Sharma, S

    2016-12-01

    A series of 2-dihydro-4-quinazolin with potent highly selective inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide synthase activities was subjected to quantitative structure activity relationships (QSAR) analysis. Statistically significant equations with high correlation coefficient (r 2  = 0.8219) were developed. The k-nearest neighbor model has showed good cross-validated correlation coefficient and external validation values of 0.7866 and 0.7133, respectively. The selected electrostatic field descriptors the presence of blue ball around R1 and R4 in the quinazolinamine moiety showed electronegative groups favorable for nitric oxide synthase activity. The QSAR models may lead to the structural requirements of inducible nitric oxide compounds and help in the design of new compounds.

  2. Expression Profile of Cationic Amino Acid Transporters in Rats with Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis

    PubMed Central

    Chang, Shu-Wen; Lee, Yi-An; Kao, Tzu-Yun

    2016-01-01

    Purpose. The transcellular arginine transportation via cationic amino acid transporter (CAT) is the rate-limiting step in nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, which is crucial in intraocular inflammation. In this study, CAT isoforms and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression was investigated in endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU). Methods. EIU was induced in Lewis rats by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. In the treatment group, the rats were injected intraperitoneally with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib before EIU induction. After 24 hours, leukocyte quantification, NO measurement of the aqueous humor, and histopathological examination were evaluated. The expression of CAT isoforms and iNOS was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) binding activity was evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 was used to validate the in vivo findings. Results. LPS significantly stimulated iNOS, CAT-2A, and CAT-2B mRNA and protein expression but did not affect CAT-1 in EIU rats and RAW 264.7 cells. Bortezomib attenuated inflammation and inhibited iNOS, CAT-2A, and CAT-2B expression through NF-κB inhibition. Conclusions. CAT-2 and iNOS, but not CAT-1, are specifically involved in EIU. NF-κB is essential in the induction of CAT-2 and iNOS in EIU. PMID:27413255

  3. Crocin Suppresses LPS-Stimulated Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase by Upregulation of Heme Oxygenase-1 via Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase 4

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Ji-Hee; Park, Ga-Young; Bang, Soo Young; Park, Sun Young; Bae, Soo-Kyung; Kim, YoungHee

    2014-01-01

    Crocin is a water-soluble carotenoid pigment that is primarily used in various cuisines as a seasoning and coloring agent, as well as in traditional medicines for the treatment of edema, fever, and hepatic disorder. In this study, we demonstrated that crocin markedly induces the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) which leads to an anti-inflammatory response. Crocin inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and nitric oxide production via downregulation of nuclear factor kappa B activity in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. These effects were abrogated by blocking of HO-1 expression or activity. Crocin also induced Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular pools and phosphorylation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 4 (CAMK4). CAMK4 knockdown and kinase-dead mutant inhibited crocin-mediated HO-1 expression, Nrf2 activation, and phosphorylation of Akt, indicating that HO-1 expression is mediated by CAMK4 and that Akt is a downstream mediator of CAMK4 in crocin signaling. Moreover, crocin-mediated suppression of iNOS expression was blocked by CAMK4 inhibition. Overall, these results suggest that crocin suppresses LPS-stimulated expression of iNOS by inducing HO-1 expression via Ca2+/calmodulin-CAMK4-PI3K/Akt-Nrf2 signaling cascades. Our findings provide a novel molecular mechanism for the inhibitory effects of crocin against endotoxin-mediated inflammation. PMID:24839356

  4. Progesterone modulates the LPS-induced nitric oxide production by a progesterone-receptor independent mechanism.

    PubMed

    Wolfson, Manuel Luis; Schander, Julieta Aylen; Bariani, María Victoria; Correa, Fernando; Franchi, Ana María

    2015-12-15

    Genital tract infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria induce miscarriage and are one of the most common complications of human pregnancy. LPS administration to 7-day pregnant mice induces embryo resorption after 24h, with nitric oxide playing a fundamental role in this process. We have previously shown that progesterone exerts protective effects on the embryo by modulating the inflammatory reaction triggered by LPS. Here we sought to investigate whether the in vivo administration of progesterone modulated the LPS-induced nitric oxide production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from pregnant and non-pregnant mice. We found that progesterone downregulated LPS-induced nitric oxide production by a progesterone receptor-independent mechanism. Moreover, our results suggest a possible participation of glucocorticoid receptors in at least some of the anti-inflammatory effects of progesterone. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. c-Jun N-terminal kinase modulates oxidant stress and peroxynitrite formation independent of inducible nitric oxide synthase in acetaminophen hepatotoxicity

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Saito, Chieko; Lemasters, John J.; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425

    Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose, which causes liver injury in animals and humans, activates c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Although it was shown that the JNK inhibitor SP600125 effectively reduced APAP hepatotoxicity, the mechanisms of protection remain unclear. C57Bl/6 mice were treated with 10 mg/kg SP600125 or vehicle (8% dimethylsulfoxide) 1 h before 600 mg/kg APAP administration. APAP time-dependently induced JNK activation (detected by JNK phosphorylation). SP600125, but not the vehicle, reduced JNK activation, attenuated mitochondrial Bax translocation and prevented the mitochondrial release of apoptosis-inducing factor at 4-12 h. Nuclear DNA fragmentation, nitrotyrosine staining, tissue GSSG levels and liver injury (plasma ALT releasemore » and necrosis) were partially attenuated by the vehicle (- 65%) and completely eliminated by SP600125 (- 98%) at 6 and 12 h. Furthermore, SP600125 attenuated the increase of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein. However, APAP did not enhance plasma nitrite + nitrate levels (NO formation); SP600125 had no effect on this parameter. The iNOS inhibitor L-NIL did not reduce NO formation or injury after APAP but prevented NO formation caused by endotoxin. Since SP600125 completely eliminated the increase in hepatic GSSG levels, an indicator of mitochondrial oxidant stress, it is concluded that the inhibition of peroxynitrite was mainly caused by reduced superoxide formation. Our data suggest that the JNK inhibitor SP600125 protects against APAP-induced liver injury in part by attenuation of mitochondrial Bax translocation but mainly by preventing mitochondrial oxidant stress and peroxynitrite formation and thereby preventing the mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, a key event in APAP-induced cell necrosis.« less

  6. (-)-Epicatechin-induced recovery of mitochondria from simulated diabetes: Potential role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

    PubMed

    Ramírez-Sánchez, Israel; Rodríguez, Alonso; Moreno-Ulloa, Aldo; Ceballos, Guillermo; Villarreal, Francisco

    2016-05-01

    (-)-Epicatechin increases indicators associated with mitochondrial biogenesis in endothelial cells and myocardium. We investigated endothelial nitric oxide synthase involvement on (-)-epicatechin-induced increases in indicators associated with mitochondrial biogenesis in human coronary artery endothelial cells cultured in normal-glucose and high-glucose media, as well as to restore indicators of cardiac mitochondria from the effects of simulated diabetes. Here, we demonstrate the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase on (-)-epicatechin-induced increases in mitochondrial proteins, transcription factors and sirtuin 1 under normal-glucose conditions. In simulated diabetes endothelial nitric oxide synthase function, mitochondrial function-associated and biogenesis-associated indicators were adversely impacted by high glucose, effects that were reverted by (-)-epicatechin. As an animal model of type 2 diabetes, 2-month old C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. Fasting and fed blood glucose levels were increased and NO plasma levels decreased. High-fat-diet-fed mice myocardium revealed endothelial nitric oxide synthase dysfunction, reduced mitochondrial activity and markers of mitochondrial biogenesis. The administration of 1 mg/kg (-)-epicatechin for 15 days by oral gavage shifted these endpoints towards control mice values. Results suggest that endothelial nitric oxide synthase mediates (-)-epicatechin-induced increases of indicators associated with mitochondrial biogenesis in endothelial cells. (-)-Epicatechin also counteracts the negative effects that high glucose or simulated type 2 diabetes has on endothelial nitric oxide synthase function. © The Author(s) 2016.

  7. Nitrite/Nitrate responses to endotoxin in calves.

    PubMed

    Hüsler, B R; Blum, J W

    2001-10-01

    Plasma concentrations and urinary excretions of nitrite plus nitrate (NOx) increase in heifers after endotoxin-induced nitric oxide synthase activation. The rise can be enhanced by administration of arginine, the substrate for the production of nitric oxide, whose effects may be modified by the iron status. In 10-week-old veal calves (six Simmental x Red Holstein) arginine (0.5 g/kg body weight for 6 h) was intravenously infused. At 2 h after the start of the infusions Escherichia coli endotoxin O26:B6 (2 microg/kg body weight) was intravenously injected. This caused a rise of rectal temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, and of urinary NOx excretion, but not of plasma NOx concentrations, in contrast to the experience with older cattle to which the same amounts of arginine were infused before and during endotoxin administration. In 8-week-old veal calves (18 Simmental x Red Holstein) the question of whether oral supplementation with arginine and iron modifies NOx responses to endotoxin (2 microg/kg) was also investigated. The calves were divided between three groups (GrA-, GirA+, GrC) and before endotoxin injections GrA- was fed 0.5 g arginine/kg for 4 days, GrA+ was fed 0.5 g arginine/kg for 4 days plus 80 mg iron/kg milk for 2 weeks, whereas GrC was not supplemented with arginine or iron. Iron supplementation increased plasma iron concentrations and arginine supplementation increased plasma arginine and urea concentrations and urinary urea excretion. Ensuing administration of endotoxin enhanced plasma tumour necrosis factor-alpha concentrations, rectal temperature, heart rate, and respiration rate, but not plasma NOx concentrations in GrC and GrA- and only transiently and slightly increased plasma NOx concentrations in GrA+ but did not affect urinary NOx excretions. In conclusion, the expected stimulation of NOx responses to endotoxin by intravenous arginine infusion appears to be much weaker in young veal calves than in older cattle. The NOx responses in

  8. Modulation of opioid actions by nitric oxide signaling.

    PubMed

    Toda, Noboru; Kishioka, Shiroh; Hatano, Yoshio; Toda, Hiroshi

    2009-01-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) plays pivotal roles in controlling physiological functions, participates in pathophysiological intervention, and is involved in mechanisms underlying beneficial or untoward actions of therapeutic agents. Endogenous nitric oxide is formed by three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase: endothelial, neurogenic and inducible. The former two are constitutively present mainly in the endothelium and nervous system, respectively, and the latter one is induced by lipopolysaccharides or cytokines mainly in mitochondria and glial cells. Constitutively formed nitric oxide modulates the actions of morphine and related analgesics by either enhancing or reducing antinociception. Tolerance to and dependence on morphine or its withdrawal syndrome are likely prevented by nitric oxide synthase inhibition. Information concerning modulation of morphine actions by nitric oxide is undoubtedly useful in establishing new strategies for efficient antinociceptive treatment and for minimizing noxious and unintended reactions.

  9. Induction of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase by Lipopolysaccharide and the Influences of Cell Volume Changes, Stress Hormones and Oxidative Stress on Nitric Oxide Efflux from the Perfused Liver of Air-Breathing Catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis

    PubMed Central

    Choudhury, Mahua G.; Saha, Nirmalendu

    2016-01-01

    The air-breathing singhi catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) is frequently being challenged by bacterial contaminants, and different environmental insults like osmotic, hyper-ammonia, dehydration and oxidative stresses in its natural habitats throughout the year. The main objectives of the present investigation were to determine (a) the possible induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene with enhanced production of nitric oxide (NO) by intra-peritoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (a bacterial endotoxin), and (b) to determine the effects of hepatic cell volume changes due to anisotonicity or by infusion of certain metabolites, stress hormones and by induction of oxidative stress on production of NO from the iNOS-induced perfused liver of singhi catfish. Intra-peritoneal injection of LPS led to induction of iNOS gene and localized tissue specific expression of iNOS enzyme with more production and accumulation of NO in different tissues of singhi catfish. Further, changes of hydration status/cell volume, caused either by anisotonicity or by infusion of certain metabolites such as glutamine plus glycine and adenosine, affected the NO production from the perfused liver of iNOS-induced singhi catfish. In general, increase of hydration status/cell swelling due to hypotonicity caused decrease, and decrease of hydration status/cell shrinkage due to hypertonicity caused increase of NO efflux from the perfused liver, thus suggesting that changes in hydration status/cell volume of hepatic cells serve as a potent modulator for regulating the NO production. Significant increase of NO efflux from the perfused liver was also observed while infusing the liver with stress hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine, accompanied with decrease of hydration status/cell volume of hepatic cells. Further, oxidative stress, caused due to infusion of t-butyl hydroperoxide and hydrogen peroxide separately, in the perfused liver of singhi catfish, resulted in

  10. Induction of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase by Lipopolysaccharide and the Influences of Cell Volume Changes, Stress Hormones and Oxidative Stress on Nitric Oxide Efflux from the Perfused Liver of Air-Breathing Catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis.

    PubMed

    Choudhury, Mahua G; Saha, Nirmalendu

    2016-01-01

    The air-breathing singhi catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) is frequently being challenged by bacterial contaminants, and different environmental insults like osmotic, hyper-ammonia, dehydration and oxidative stresses in its natural habitats throughout the year. The main objectives of the present investigation were to determine (a) the possible induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene with enhanced production of nitric oxide (NO) by intra-peritoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (a bacterial endotoxin), and (b) to determine the effects of hepatic cell volume changes due to anisotonicity or by infusion of certain metabolites, stress hormones and by induction of oxidative stress on production of NO from the iNOS-induced perfused liver of singhi catfish. Intra-peritoneal injection of LPS led to induction of iNOS gene and localized tissue specific expression of iNOS enzyme with more production and accumulation of NO in different tissues of singhi catfish. Further, changes of hydration status/cell volume, caused either by anisotonicity or by infusion of certain metabolites such as glutamine plus glycine and adenosine, affected the NO production from the perfused liver of iNOS-induced singhi catfish. In general, increase of hydration status/cell swelling due to hypotonicity caused decrease, and decrease of hydration status/cell shrinkage due to hypertonicity caused increase of NO efflux from the perfused liver, thus suggesting that changes in hydration status/cell volume of hepatic cells serve as a potent modulator for regulating the NO production. Significant increase of NO efflux from the perfused liver was also observed while infusing the liver with stress hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine, accompanied with decrease of hydration status/cell volume of hepatic cells. Further, oxidative stress, caused due to infusion of t-butyl hydroperoxide and hydrogen peroxide separately, in the perfused liver of singhi catfish, resulted in

  11. Role of inducible nitric oxide synthase in transplant arteriosclerosis.

    PubMed

    Lee, P C; Shears, L L; Billiar, T R

    1999-12-01

    1. Transplant arteriosclerosis is a major obstacle to long-term allograft survival. Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated as a mediator in the development of this disease. 2. We and others have shown that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is up-regulated in allografts with transplant arteriosclerosis. Despite the acute cytotoxic effects produced by high levels of NO, a chronic increase in NO availability is protective against neointimal hyperplasia, mainly by suppressing the inflammatory cell recruitment and neointimal smooth muscle cell accumulation. 3. Currently, we have the technology to directly transfer the iNOS gene to allografts. We have demonstrated that this exciting strategy is feasible and therapeutic and may improve the long-term survival and function of allografts. Future challenges include optimizing the methods and the vectors of gene delivery.

  12. iNOS-derived nitric oxide promotes glycolysis by inducing pyruvate kinase M2 nuclear translocation in ovarian cancer.

    PubMed

    Li, Linlin; Zhu, Lingqun; Hao, Bingtao; Gao, Wenwen; Wang, Qianli; Li, Keyi; Wang, Meng; Huang, Mengqiu; Liu, Zhengjun; Yang, Qiaohong; Li, Xiqing; Zhong, Zhuo; Huang, Wenhua; Xiao, Guanghui; Xu, Yang; Yao, Kaitai; Liu, Qiuzhen

    2017-05-16

    Aerobic glycolysis is essential for tumor growth and survival. Activation of multiple carcinogenic signals contributes to metabolism reprogramming during malignant transformation of cancer. Recently nitric oxide has been noted to promote glycolysis but the mechanism remains elusive. We report here the dual role of nitric oxide in glycolysis: low/physiological nitric oxide (≤ 100 nM) promotes glycolysis for ATP production, oxidative defense and cell proliferation of ovary cancer cells, whereas excess nitric oxide (≥ 500 nM) inhibits it. Nitric oxide has a positive effect on glycolysis by inducing PKM2 nuclear translocation in an EGFR/ERK2 signaling-dependent manner. Moreover, iNOS induced by mild inflammatory stimulation increased glycolysis and cell proliferation by producing low doses of nitric oxide, while hyper inflammation induced iNOS inhibited it by producing excess nitric oxide. Finally, iNOS expression is abnormally increased in ovarian cancer tissues and is correlated with PKM2 expression. Overexpression of iNOS is associated with aggressive phenotype and poor survival outcome in ovarian cancer patients. Our study indicated that iNOS/NO play a dual role of in tumor glycolysis and progression, and established a bridge between iNOS/NO signaling pathway and EGFR/ERK2/PKM2 signaling pathway, suggesting that interfering glycolysis by targeting the iNOS/NO/PKM2 axis may be a valuable new therapeutic approach of treating ovarian cancer.

  13. iNOS-derived nitric oxide promotes glycolysis by inducing pyruvate kinase M2 nuclear translocation in ovarian cancer

    PubMed Central

    Hao, Bingtao; Gao, Wenwen; Wang, Qianli; Li, Keyi; Wang, Meng; Huang, Mengqiu; Liu, Zhengjun; Yang, Qiaohong; Li, Xiqing; Zhong, Zhuo; Huang, Wenhua; Xiao, Guanghui; Xu, Yang; Yao, Kaitai; Liu, Qiuzhen

    2017-01-01

    Aerobic glycolysis is essential for tumor growth and survival. Activation of multiple carcinogenic signals contributes to metabolism reprogramming during malignant transformation of cancer. Recently nitric oxide has been noted to promote glycolysis but the mechanism remains elusive. We report here the dual role of nitric oxide in glycolysis: low/physiological nitric oxide (≤ 100 nM) promotes glycolysis for ATP production, oxidative defense and cell proliferation of ovary cancer cells, whereas excess nitric oxide (≥ 500 nM) inhibits it. Nitric oxide has a positive effect on glycolysis by inducing PKM2 nuclear translocation in an EGFR/ERK2 signaling-dependent manner. Moreover, iNOS induced by mild inflammatory stimulation increased glycolysis and cell proliferation by producing low doses of nitric oxide, while hyper inflammation induced iNOS inhibited it by producing excess nitric oxide. Finally, iNOS expression is abnormally increased in ovarian cancer tissues and is correlated with PKM2 expression. Overexpression of iNOS is associated with aggressive phenotype and poor survival outcome in ovarian cancer patients. Our study indicated that iNOS/NO play a dual role of in tumor glycolysis and progression, and established a bridge between iNOS/NO signaling pathway and EGFR/ERK2/PKM2 signaling pathway, suggesting that interfering glycolysis by targeting the iNOS/NO/PKM2 axis may be a valuable new therapeutic approach of treating ovarian cancer. PMID:28380434

  14. Possible involvement of nitric oxide in pilocarpine induced seminal emission in rats.

    PubMed

    Tomé, A R; da Silva, J C; Souza, A A; Mattos, J P; Vale, M R; Rao, V S

    1999-12-01

    Intraperitoneal injection of pilocarpine (0.75-3.0 mg/kg) caused a dose-related seminal emission in adult male rats. The seminal emission response to 3 mg/kg of pilocarpine was greatly reduced in atropinized (5 and 10 mg/kg, SC) animals, suggesting a cholinomimetic effect. Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, SC), a nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor, also inhibited the pilocarpine-induced seminal emission, which was reversed by L-arginine (600 mg/kg, SC) or by coinjection of sodium nitroprusside (0.5 mg/kg, SC). Urine analysis for levels of nitric oxide metabolites, nitrate/nitrite (NO3-/NO2-), showed marked alterations in accordance with the drug treatments. The results suggest that nitric oxide mediates the inhibitory neurotransmission responsible for seminal emission in pilocarpine stimulated rats.

  15. Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthesis by azathioprine in a macrophage cell line.

    PubMed

    Moeslinger, Thomas; Friedl, Roswitha; Spieckermann, Paul Gerhard

    2006-06-20

    Azathioprine is used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Although there are numerous data demonstrating cytotoxic and immunosuppressive properties of azathioprine and its metabolite 6-mercaptopurine, the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory action of azathioprine has not yet been fully clarified. During our study, we investigated the effects of azathioprine on the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide stimulated murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) by measurement of iNOS protein (immunoblotting), iNOS mRNA (semiquantitative competitive RT-PCR), and NO production (nitrite levels). Azathioprine (0-210 muM) induces a concentration dependent inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthesis (IC50: 33.5 muM). iNOS protein expression showed a concentration dependent reduction as revealed by immunoblotting when cells were incubated with increasing amounts of azathioprine. Azathioprine decreases iNOS mRNA levels as shown by semiquantitative competitive RT-PCR. In contrast, 6-mercaptopurine showed no inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthesis. Azathioprine did not reduce iNOS mRNA stability after the addition of actinomycin D. Enzymatic activity assays with increasing concentrations of azathioprine (0-210 muM) showed no statistically significant inhibition of iNOS enzyme activity compared to cell lysates without azathioprine. Nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65 subunit and binding of NF-kappaB p50 subunit from nuclear extracts to a biotinylated-consensus sequence was unaffected by azathioprine treatment. iNOS inhibition by azathioprine was associated with a decreased expression of IRF-1 (interferon regulatory factor 1) and IFN-beta (beta-interferon) mRNA. Azathioprine induced iNOS inhibition seems to be associated with an action of the methylnitroimidazolyl substituent. This suggests a route to the rational design of nontoxic anti-inflammatory agents by replacing the 6-mercaptopurine component of azathioprine with other substituents. The inhibition of

  16. Intrathecal oxotremorine affects formalin-induced behavior and spinal nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity in rats.

    PubMed

    Przewlocka, B; Mika, J; Capone, F; Machelska, H; Pavone, F

    1999-03-01

    The present research was undertaken to investigate, by behavioral and immunohistochemical methods, the effects of intrathecal (i.th.) injection of the muscarinic agonist oxotremorine on the response to the long-lasting nociceptive stimulus induced by injection of formalin into the rat hind paw. Formalin injection induced a biphasic, pain-induced behavioral response (paw jerks), as well as an increase in the number of nitric oxide (NO) synthase-labeled neurons in laminae I-III, IV, and X, but not in laminae V-VI. Oxotremorine (0.1-10 ng, i.th.) inhibited paw-jerk frequency in both phases of formalin-induced behavior. The immunohistochemical results showed that i.th.-injected oxotremorine differently affected the level of NO synthase in lumbar part of the spinal cord: no change or increase after the dose of 1 ng, and a significant reduction of nitric oxide synthase neurons after the higher dose (10 ng). These results evidenced a role of cholinergic system in the modulation of tonic pain and in nitric oxide synthase expression at the spinal cord level, which further suggests that these two systems could be involved in phenomena induced by long-lasting nociceptive stimulation.

  17. Estriol-induced fibrinolysis due to the activation of plasminogen to plasmin by nitric oxide synthesis in platelets.

    PubMed

    Jana, Pradipta; Maiti, Smarajit; Kahn, Nighat N; Sinha, Asru K

    2015-04-01

    Estriol, an oestrogen, at 0.6 nmol/l was reported to inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation through nitric oxide synthesis. As nitric oxide has been reported to cause fibrinolysis due to the activation of plasminogen to plasmin, the role of estriol as a fibrinolytic agent was investigated. Also, the mechanism of estriol-induced nitric oxide synthesis in anucleated platelets was investigated. The estriol-induced lysis of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) clot was determined by photography of the clot lysis and by the assay of fibrin degradation products in the lysate and was obtained by SDS-PAGE. Nitric oxide was determined by methemoglobin method. The platelet membrane protein was isolated from the platelets by using Triton X-100 (0.05% v/v). The binding of estriol to the protein was determined by Scatchard plot by using an ELISA for estriol. Estriol at 0.6 nmol/l was found to lyse the clotted PRP due to fibrinolysis that produced fibrin degradation products in the lysate. The amino acid analysis of the platelet membrane protein, which resembles with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, was activated nearly 10-fold over the control in the presence of estriol and was identified to be a human serum albumin precursor (Mr. 69 kDa) that binds to estriol with Kd1 of 6.0 × 10 mol/l and 39 ± 2 molecules of estriol bound the NOS molecule. The estriol-induced nitric oxide is capable of inducing fibrinolysis of the clotted PRP. The binding of estriol to platelet membrane NOS activated the enzyme in the absence of DNA in the platelet.

  18. In vitro inducible nitric oxide synthesis inhibitory active constituents from Fraxinus rhynchophylla.

    PubMed

    Kim, N Y; Pae, H O; Ko, Y S; Yoo, J C; Choi, B M; Jun, C D; Chung, H T; Inagaki, M; Higuchi, R; Kim, Y C

    1999-10-01

    Bioassay-guided fractionation of an H2O extract of the barks of Fraxinus rhynchophylla has furnished two inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitory compounds, ferulaldehyde (1) and scopoletin (3) together with a coumarin, fraxidin (2). Compounds 1 and 3 showed inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in a dose-dependent manner by murine macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The inhibition of NO synthesis of 1 was reflected in the decreased amount of iNOS protein, as determined by Western blotting.

  19. Effect of selective inhibition of renal inducible nitric oxide synthase on renal blood flow and function in experimental hyperdynamic sepsis.

    PubMed

    Ishikawa, Ken; Calzavacca, Paolo; Bellomo, Rinaldo; Bailey, Michael; May, Clive N

    2012-08-01

    Nitric oxide plays an important role in the control of renal blood flow and renal function. In sepsis, increased levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase produce excessive nitric oxide, which may contribute to the development of acute kidney injury. We, therefore, examined the effects of intrarenal infusion of selective inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitors in a large animal model of hyperdynamic sepsis in which acute kidney injury occurs in the presence of increased renal blood flow. Prospective crossover randomized controlled interventional studies. University-affiliated research institute. Twelve unilaterally nephrectomized Merino ewes. Infusion of a selective (1400W) and a partially selective inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (aminoguanidine) into the renal artery for 2 hrs after the induction of sepsis, and comparison with a nonselective inhibitor (Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester). In sheep with nonhypotensive hyperdynamic sepsis, creatinine clearance halved (32 to 16 mL/min, ratio [95% confidence interval] 0.51 [0.28-0.92]) despite increased renal blood flow (241 to 343 mL/min, difference [95% confidence interval] 102 [78-126]). Infusion of 1400W did not change renal blood flow, urine output, or creatinine clearance, whereas infusion of Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and a high dose of aminoguanidine normalized renal blood flow, but did not alter creatinine clearance. In hyperdynamic sepsis, intrarenal infusion of a highly selective inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor did not reduce the elevated renal blood flow or improve renal function. In contrast, renal blood flow was reduced by infusion of a nonselective NOS inhibitor or a high dose of a partially selective inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. The renal vasodilatation in septic acute kidney injury may be due to nitric oxide derived from the endothelial and neural isoforms of nitric oxide synthase, but their blockade did not restore renal function.

  20. In vivo Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in Experimentally Induced Neurologic Diseases

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Koprowski, Hilary; Zheng, Yong Mu; Heber-Katz, Ellen; Fraser, Nigel; Rorke, Lucy; Fu, Zhen Fang; Hanlon, Cathleen; Dietzschold, Bernhard

    1993-04-01

    The purpose of this study was to investigate the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA in the brain tissue of rats and mice under the following experimental conditions: in rats infected with borna disease virus and rabies virus, in mice infected with herpes simplex virus, and in rats after the induction of experimental allergic encephalitis. The results showed that iNOS mRNA, normally nondetectable in the brain, was present in animals after viral infection or after induction of experimental allergic encephalitis. The induction of iNOS mRNA coincided with the severity of clinical signs and in some cases with the presence of inflammatory cells in the brain. The results indicate that nitric oxide produced by cells induced by iNOS may be the toxic factor accounting for cell damage and this may open the door to approaches to the study of the pathogenesis of neurological diseases.

  1. Auxin-induced nitric oxide, cGMP and gibberellins were involved in the gravitropism

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cai, Weiming; Hu, Liwei; Hu, Xiangyang; Cui, Dayong; Cai, Weiming

    Gravitropism is the asymmetric growth or curvature of plant organs in response to gravistimulation. There is a complex signal transduction cascade which involved in the differential growth of plants in response to changes in the gravity vector. The role of auxin in gravitropism has been demonstrated by many experiments, but little is known regarding the molecular details of such effects. In our studies before, mediation of the gravitropic bending of soybean roots and rice leaf sheath bases by nitric oxide, cGMP and gibberellins, are induced by auxin. The asymmetrical distribution of nitric oxide, cGMP and gibberellins resulted from the asymmetrical synthesis of them in bending sites. In soybean roots, inhibitions of NO and cGMP synthesis reduced differential NO and cGMP accumulation respectively, which both of these effects can lead to the reduction of gravitropic bending. Gibberellin-induced OsXET, OsEXPA4 and OsRWC3 were also found involved in the gravitropic bending. These data indicated that auxin-induced nitric oxide, cGMP and gibberellins were involved in the gravitropism. More experiments need to prove the more detailed mechanism of them.

  2. The light-induced reduction of horizontal cell receptive field size in the goldfish retina involves nitric oxide.

    PubMed

    Daniels, Bryan A; Baldridge, William H

    2011-03-01

    Horizontal cells of the vertebrate retina have large receptive fields as a result of extensive gap junction coupling. Increased ambient illumination reduces horizontal cell receptive field size. Using the isolated goldfish retina, we have assessed the contribution of nitric oxide to the light-dependent reduction of horizontal cell receptive field size. Horizontal cell receptive field size was assessed by comparing the responses to centered spot and annulus stimuli and from the responses to translated slit stimuli. A period of steady illumination decreased the receptive field size of horizontal cells, as did treatment with the nitric oxide donor (Z)-1-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl)amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (100 μM). Blocking the endogenous production of nitric oxide with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (1 mM), decreased the light-induced reduction of horizontal cell receptive field size. These findings suggest that nitric oxide is involved in light-induced reduction of horizontal cell receptive field size. Copyright © Cambridge University Press, 2011

  3. Therapeutic strategies to address neuronal nitric oxide synthase deficiency and the loss of nitric oxide bioavailability in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

    PubMed

    Timpani, Cara A; Hayes, Alan; Rybalka, Emma

    2017-05-25

    Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a rare and fatal neuromuscular disease in which the absence of dystrophin from the muscle membrane induces a secondary loss of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and the muscles capacity for endogenous nitric oxide synthesis. Since nitric oxide is a potent regulator of skeletal muscle metabolism, mass, function and regeneration, the loss of nitric oxide bioavailability is likely a key contributor to the chronic pathological wasting evident in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. As such, various therapeutic interventions to re-establish either the neuronal nitric oxide synthase protein deficit or the consequential loss of nitric oxide synthesis and bioavailability have been investigated in both animal models of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and in human clinical trials. Notably, the efficacy of these interventions are varied and not always translatable from animal model to human patients, highlighting a complex interplay of factors which determine the downstream modulatory effects of nitric oxide. We review these studies herein.

  4. Nitric Oxide Signaling in Hypergravity-Induced Neuronal Plasticity

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Holstein, Gay R.

    2003-01-01

    The goal of this research project was to identify the neurons and circuits in the vestibular nuclei and nucleus prepositus hypoglossi that utilize nitric oxide (NO) for intercellular signaling during gravity-induced plasticity. This objective was pursued using histochemical and immunocytochemical approaches to localize NO-producing neurons and characterize the fine morphology of the cells in ground-based studies of normal rats, rats adapted to hypergravity, and rats adapted to hypergravity and then re-adapted to the 1G environment. NO-producing neurons were identified and studied using four methodologies: i) immunocytochemistry employing polyclonal antibodies directed against neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), to provide an indication of the capacity of a cell for NO production; ii) immunocytochemistry employing a monoclonal antibody directed against L-citrulline, to provide an indirect index of the enzyme's activity; iii) histochemistry based on the NADPH-diaphorase reaction, for fuI1 cytological visualization of neurons; and iv) double immunofluorescence to co-localize nNOS and L-citrulline in individual vestibular nuclei (VN) and neurons.

  5. MitoQ administration prevents endotoxin-induced cardiac dysfunction.

    PubMed

    Supinski, G S; Murphy, M P; Callahan, L A

    2009-10-01

    Sepsis elicits severe alterations in cardiac function, impairing cardiac mitochondrial and pressure-generating capacity. Currently, there are no therapies to prevent sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction. We tested the hypothesis that administration of a mitochondrially targeted antioxidant, 10-(6'-ubiquinonyl)-decyltriphenylphosphonium (MitoQ), would prevent endotoxin-induced reductions in cardiac mitochondrial and contractile function. Studies were performed on adult rodents (n = 52) given either saline, endotoxin (8 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)), saline + MitoQ (500 microM), or both endotoxin and MitoQ. At 48 h animals were killed and hearts were removed for determination of either cardiac mitochondrial function (using polarography) or cardiac pressure generation (using the Langendorf technique). We found that endotoxin induced reductions in mitochondrial state 3 respiration rates, the respiratory control ratio, and ATP generation. Moreover, MitoQ administration prevented each of these endotoxin-induced abnormalities, P < 0.001. We also found that endotoxin produced reductions in cardiac pressure-generating capacity, reducing the systolic pressure-diastolic relationship. MitoQ also prevented endotoxin-induced reductions in cardiac pressure generation, P < 0.01. One potential link between mitochondrial and contractile dysfunction is caspase activation; we found that endotoxin increased cardiac levels of active caspases 9 and 3 (P < 0.001), while MitoQ prevented this increase (P < 0.01). These data demonstrate that MitoQ is a potent inhibitor of endotoxin-induced mitochondrial and cardiac abnormalities. We speculate that this agent may prove a novel therapy for sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction.

  6. Improvement of Tissue Survival of Skin Flaps by 5α-Reductase Inhibitors: Possible Involvement of Nitric Oxide and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase

    PubMed Central

    Karimi, Ali Asghar; Ajami, Marjan; Asadi, Yasin; Aboutaleb, Nahid; Gorjipour, Fazel; Malekloo, Roya; Pazoki-Toroudi, Hamidreza

    2015-01-01

    Background: Skin flap grafting is a popular approach for reconstruction of critical skin and underlying soft tissue injuries. In a previous study, we demonstrated the beneficial effects of two 5α-reductase inhibitors, azelaic acid and finasteride, on tissue survival in a rat model of skin flap grafting. In the current study, we investigated the involvement of nitric oxide and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in graft survival mediated by these agents. Methods: A number of 42 male rats were randomly allocated into six groups: 1, normal saline topical application; 2, azelaic acid (100 mg/flap); 3, finasteride (1 mg/flap); 4, injection of L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (i.p., 20 mg/kg); 5, L-NAME (20 mg/kg, i.p.) + azelaic acid (100 mg/flap, topical); 6, L-NAME (20 mg/kg, i.p.) + finasteride (1 mg/flap, topical). Tissue survival, level of nitric oxide, and iNOS expression in groups were measured. Results: Our data revealed that azelaic acid and finasteride significantly increased the expression of iNOS protein and nitric oxide (NO) levels in graft tissue (P < 0.05). These increases in iNOS expression and NO level were associated with higher survival of the graft tissue. Conclusion: It appears that alterations of the NO metabolism are implicated in the azelaic acid- and finasteride-mediated survival of the skin flaps. PMID:25864816

  7. Ferulic acid and its water-soluble derivatives inhibit nitric oxide production and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in rat primary astrocytes.

    PubMed

    Kikugawa, Masaki; Ida, Tomoaki; Ihara, Hideshi; Sakamoto, Tatsuji

    2017-08-01

    We recently reported that two water-soluble derivatives of ferulic acid (1-feruloyl glycerol, 1-feruloyl diglycerol) previously developed by our group exhibited protective effects against amyloid-β-induced neurodegeneration in vitro and in vivo. In the current study, we aimed to further understand this process by examining the derivatives' ability to suppress abnormal activation of astrocytes, the key event of neurodegeneration. We investigated the effects of ferulic acid (FA) derivatives on nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in rat primary astrocytes. The results showed that these compounds inhibited NO production and iNOS expression in a concentration-dependent manner and that the mechanism underlying these effects was the suppression of the nuclear factor-κB pathway. This evidence suggests that FA and its derivatives may be effective neuroprotective agents and could be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

  8. Role of nitric oxide in adenosine-induced vasodilation in humans

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Costa, F.; Biaggioni, I.; Robertson, D. (Principal Investigator)

    1998-01-01

    Vasodilation is one of the most prominent effects of adenosine and one of the first to be recognized, but its mechanism of action is not completely understood. In particular, there is conflicting information about the potential contribution of endothelial factors. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of nitric oxide in the vasodilatory effect of adenosine. Forearm blood flow responses to intrabrachial adenosine infusion (125 microg/min) were assessed with venous occlusion plethysmography during intrabrachial infusion of saline or the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) (12.5 mg/min). Intrabrachial infusions of acetylcholine (50 microg/min) and nitroprusside (3 microg/min) were used as a positive and negative control, respectively. These doses were chosen to produce comparable levels of vasodilation. In a separate study, a second saline infusion was administered instead of L-NMMA to rule out time-related effects. As expected, pretreatment with L-NMMA reduced acetylcholine-induced vasodilation; 50 microg/min acetylcholine increased forearm blood flow by 150+/-43% and 51+/-12% during saline and L-NMMA infusion, respectively (P<.01, n=6). In contrast, L-NMMA did not affect the increase in forearm blood flow produced by 3 microg/min nitroprusside (165+/-30% and 248+/-41% during saline and L-NMMA, respectively) or adenosine (173+/-48% and 270+/-75% during saline and L-NMMA, respectively). On the basis of our observations, we conclude that adenosine-induced vasodilation is not mediated by nitric oxide in the human forearm.

  9. MitoQ administration prevents endotoxin-induced cardiac dysfunction

    PubMed Central

    Murphy, M. P.; Callahan, L. A.

    2009-01-01

    Sepsis elicits severe alterations in cardiac function, impairing cardiac mitochondrial and pressure-generating capacity. Currently, there are no therapies to prevent sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction. We tested the hypothesis that administration of a mitochondrially targeted antioxidant, 10-(6′-ubiquinonyl)-decyltriphenylphosphonium (MitoQ), would prevent endotoxin-induced reductions in cardiac mitochondrial and contractile function. Studies were performed on adult rodents (n = 52) given either saline, endotoxin (8 mg·kg−1·day−1), saline + MitoQ (500 μM), or both endotoxin and MitoQ. At 48 h animals were killed and hearts were removed for determination of either cardiac mitochondrial function (using polarography) or cardiac pressure generation (using the Langendorf technique). We found that endotoxin induced reductions in mitochondrial state 3 respiration rates, the respiratory control ratio, and ATP generation. Moreover, MitoQ administration prevented each of these endotoxin-induced abnormalities, P < 0.001. We also found that endotoxin produced reductions in cardiac pressure-generating capacity, reducing the systolic pressure-diastolic relationship. MitoQ also prevented endotoxin-induced reductions in cardiac pressure generation, P < 0.01. One potential link between mitochondrial and contractile dysfunction is caspase activation; we found that endotoxin increased cardiac levels of active caspases 9 and 3 (P < 0.001), while MitoQ prevented this increase (P < 0.01). These data demonstrate that MitoQ is a potent inhibitor of endotoxin-induced mitochondrial and cardiac abnormalities. We speculate that this agent may prove a novel therapy for sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction. PMID:19657095

  10. Manganese-induced effects on cerebral trace element and nitric oxide of Hyline cocks.

    PubMed

    Liu, Xiaofei; Zuo, Nan; Guan, Huanan; Han, Chunran; Xu, Shi Wen

    2013-08-01

    Exposure to Manganese (Mn) is a common phenomenon due to its environmental pervasiveness. To investigate the Mn-induced toxicity on cerebral trace element levels and crucial nitric oxide parameters on brain of birds, 50-day-old male Hyline cocks were fed either a commercial diet or a Mn-supplemented diet containing 600, 900, 1,800 mg kg(-1). After being treated with Mn for 30, 60, and 90 days, the following were determined: the changes in contents of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), selenium (Se) in brain; inducible nitric oxide synthase-nitric oxide (iNOS-NO) system activity in brain; and histopathology and ultrastructure changes of cerebral cortex. The results showed that Mn was accumulated in brain and the content of Cu and Fe increased. However, the levels of Zn and Se decreased and the Ca content presented no obvious regularity. Exposure to Mn significantly elevated the content of NO and the expression of iNOS mRNA. Activity of total NO synthase (T NOS) and iNOS appeared with an increased tendency. These findings suggested that Mn exposure resulted in the imbalance of cerebral trace elements and influenced iNOS in the molecular level, which are possible underlying nervous system injury mechanisms induced by Mn exposure.

  11. Enhancement of fracture healing in the rat, modulated by compounds that stimulate inducible nitric oxide synthase: Acceleration of fracture healing via inducible nitric oxide synthase.

    PubMed

    Rajfer, R A; Kilic, A; Neviaser, A S; Schulte, L M; Hlaing, S M; Landeros, J; Ferrini, M G; Ebramzadeh, E; Park, S-H

    2017-02-01

    We investigated the effects on fracture healing of two up-regulators of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in a rat model of an open femoral osteotomy: tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and the recently reported nutraceutical, COMB-4 (consisting of L-citrulline, Paullinia cupana, ginger and muira puama), given orally for either 14 or 42 days. Unilateral femoral osteotomies were created in 58 male rats and fixed with an intramedullary compression nail. Rats were treated daily either with vehicle, tadalafil or COMB-4. Biomechanical testing of the healed fracture was performed on day 42. The volume, mineral content and bone density of the callus were measured by quantitative CT on days 14 and 42. Expression of iNOS was measured by immunohistochemistry. When compared with the control group, the COMB-4 group exhibited 46% higher maximum strength ( t -test, p = 0.029) and 92% higher stiffness ( t -test, p = 0.023), but no significant changes were observed in the tadalafil group. At days 14 and 42, there was no significant difference between the three groups with respect to callus volume, mineral content and bone density. Expression of iNOS at day 14 was significantly higher in the COMB-4 group which, as expected, had returned to baseline levels at day 42. This study demonstrates an enhancement in fracture healing by an oral natural product known to augment iNOS expression. Cite this article: R. A. Rajfer, A. Kilic, A. S. Neviaser, L. M. Schulte, S. M. Hlaing, J. Landeros, M. G. Ferrini, E. Ebramzadeh, S-H. Park. Enhancement of fracture healing in the rat, modulated by compounds that stimulate inducible nitric oxide synthase: Acceleration of fracture healing via inducible nitric oxide synthase. Bone Joint Res 2017:6:-97. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.62.BJR-2016-0164.R2. © 2017 Park et al.

  12. Nitric oxide contributes to substance P-induced increases in lung rapidly adapting receptor activity in guinea-pigs.

    PubMed Central

    Joad, J P; Kott, K S; Bonham, A C

    1997-01-01

    1. Substance P induces fluid flux via nitric oxide, and fluid flux stimulates lung rapidly adapting receptors (RARs). We therefore proposed that nitric oxide contributes to substance P-evoked increases in RAR activity. Since substance P decreases dynamic compliance (Cdyn), which can stimulate RARs, we also determined whether nitric oxide contributed to substance P-induced effects on pulmonary function. 2. In anaesthetized guinea-pigs, the effects of substance P on RAR activity, Cdyn, pulmonary resistance (RL), and arterial blood pressure were measured before and after i.v. infusion of NG-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), or L-NMMA followed by L-arginine (a nitric oxide precursor which reverses the effects of L-NMMA). 3. Substance P-evoked increases in RAR activity were blunted by L-NMMA (P = 0.006) but not by L-NMMA-L-arginine (P = 0.42). 4. Substance P-evoked decreases in Cdyn were slightly inhibited by L-NMMA (P = 0.02) and slightly enhanced by L-NMMA-L-arginine (P = 0.004). However, at the time at which L-NMMA maximally reduced substance P-induced RAR stimulation (the first 30 s), it did not change substance P-induced decreases in Cdyn. 5. Substance P-evoked increases in RL were not changed by L-NMMA (P = 0.10) and were enhanced by L-NMMA-L-arginine (P = 0.03). 6. L-NMMA-evoked increases in mean arterial blood pressure were reversed by L-arginine. Substance P-evoked decreases in mean arterial blood pressure were not changed by L-NMMA or by L-NMMA-L-arginine. 7. We conclude that nitric oxide contributes to substance P-evoked increases in RAR activity and that the increases are most probably independent of decreases in Cdyn. PMID:9379417

  13. UV Induced Oxidation of Nitric Oxide

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Parrish, Clyde, F. (Inventor); Luecke, Dale E. (Inventor)

    2007-01-01

    Nitric oxide in a gaseous stream is converted to nitrogen dioxide using oxidizing species generated at least in part using in situ UV radiation sources. The sources of the oxidizing species include oxygen and/or hydrogen peroxide. The oxygen may be a component of the gaseous stream or added to the gaseous stream, preferably near a UV radiation source, and is converted to ozone by the UV irradiation. The hydrogen peroxide is decomposed through a combination of vaporization and UV irradiation. The hydrogen peroxide is preferably stored at stable concentration levels, i.e., approximately 50% by volume and increased in concentration in a continuous process preceding vaporization within the flow channel of the gaseous stream and in the presence of the UV radiation sources.

  14. Oxidative degradation of endotoxin by advanced oxidation process (O3/H2O2 & UV/H2O2).

    PubMed

    Oh, Byung-Taek; Seo, Young-Suk; Sudhakar, Dega; Choe, Ji-Hyun; Lee, Sang-Myeong; Park, Youn-Jong; Cho, Min

    2014-08-30

    The presence of endotoxin in water environments may pose a serious public health hazard. We investigated the effectiveness of advanced oxidative processes (AOP: O3/H2O2 and UV/H2O2) in the oxidative degradation of endotoxin. In addition, we measured the release of endotoxin from Escherichia coli following typical disinfection methods, such as chlorine, ozone alone and UV, and compared it with the use of AOPs. Finally, we tested the AOP-treated samples in their ability to induce tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in mouse peritoneal macrophages. The production of hydroxyl radical in AOPs showed superior ability to degrade endotoxin in buffered solution, as well as water samples from Korean water treatment facilities, with the ozone/H2O2 being more efficient compared to UV/H2O2. In addition, the AOPs proved effective not only in eliminating E. coli in the samples, but also in endotoxin degradation, while the standard disinfection methods lead to the release of endotoxin following the bacteria destruction. Furthermore, in the experiments with macrophages, the AOPs-deactivated endotoxin lead to the smallest induction of TNF-α, which shows the loss of inflammation activity, compared to ozone treatment alone. In conclusion, these results suggest that AOPs offer an effective and mild method for endotoxin degradation in the water systems. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Nitric Oxide as a Mediator of Oxidant Lung Injury Due to Paraquat

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Berisha, Hasan I.; Pakbaz, Hedayatollah; Absood, Afaf; Said, Sami I.

    1994-08-01

    At low concentrations, nitric oxide is a physiological transmitter, but in excessive concentrations it may cause cell and tissue injury. We report that in acute oxidant injury induced by the herbicide paraquat in isolated guinea pig lungs, nitric oxide synthesis was markedly stimulated, as evidenced by increased levels of cyclic GMP in lung perfusate and of nitrite and L-citrulline production in lung tissue. All signs of injury, including increased airway and perfusion pressures, pulmonary edema, and protein leakage into the airspaces, were dose-dependently attenuated or totally prevented by either N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester or N^ω-nitro-L-arginine, selective and competitive inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase. Protection was reversed by excess L-arginine but not by its enantiomer D-arginine. When blood was added to the lung perfusate, the paraquat injury was moderated or delayed as it was when paraquat was given to anesthetized guinea pigs. The rapid onset of injury and its failure to occur in the absence of Ca2+ suggest that constitutive rather than inducible nitric oxide synthase was responsible for the stimulated nitric oxide synthesis. The findings indicate that nitric oxide plays a critical role in the production of lung tissue injury due to paraquat, and it may be a pathogenetic factor in other forms of oxidant tissue injury.

  16. Immune-relevant thrombocytes of common carp undergo parasite-induced nitric oxide-mediated apoptosis.

    PubMed

    Fink, Inge R; Ribeiro, Carla M S; Forlenza, Maria; Taverne-Thiele, Anja; Rombout, Jan H W M; Savelkoul, Huub F J; Wiegertjes, Geert F

    2015-06-01

    Common carp thrombocytes account for 30-40% of peripheral blood leukocytes and are abundant in the healthy animals' spleen, the thrombopoietic organ. We show that, ex vivo, thrombocytes from healthy carp express a large number of immune-relevant genes, among which several cytokines and Toll-like receptors, clearly pointing at immune functions of carp thrombocytes. Few studies have described the role of fish thrombocytes during infection. Carp are natural host to two different but related protozoan parasites, Trypanoplasma borreli and Trypanosoma carassii, which reside in the blood and tissue fluids. We used the two parasites to undertake controlled studies on the role of fish thrombocytes during these infections. In vivo, but only during infection with T. borreli, thrombocytes were massively depleted from the blood and spleen leading to severe thrombocytopenia. Ex vivo, addition of nitric oxide induced a clear and rapid apoptosis of thrombocytes from healthy carp, supporting a role for nitric oxide-mediated control of immune-relevant thrombocytes during infection with T. borreli. The potential advantage for parasites to selectively deplete the host of thrombocytes via nitric oxide-induced apoptosis is discussed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Calcium mobilization in HeLa cells induced by nitric oxide.

    PubMed

    Huang, Yimei; Zheng, Liqin; Yang, Hongqin; Chen, Jiangxu; Wang, Yuhua; Li, Hui; Xie, Shusen

    2014-01-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) has been proposed to be involved in tumor growth and metastasis. However, the mechanism by which nitric oxide modulates cancer cell growth and metastasis on cellular and molecular level is still not fully understood. This work utilized confocal microscopy and fluorescence microplate reader to investigate the effects of exogenous NO on the mobilization of calcium, which is one of the regulators of cell migration, in HeLa cells. The results show that NO elevates calcium in concentration-dependent manner in HeLa cells. And the elevation of calcium induced by NO is due to calcium influx and calcium release from intracellular calcium stores. Moreover, calcium release from intracellular stores is dominant. Furthermore, calcium release from mitochondria is one of the modulation pathways of NO. These findings would contribute to recognizing the significance of NO in cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  18. Mitochondrial dysfunction associated with nitric oxide pathways in glutamate neurotoxicity.

    PubMed

    Manucha, Walter

    Multiple mechanisms underlying glutamate-induced neurotoxicity have recently been discussed. Likewise, a clear deregulation of the mitochondrial respiratory mechanism has been described in patients with neurodegeneration, oxidative stress, and inflammation. This article highlights nitric oxide, an atypical neurotransmitter synthesized and released on demand by the post-synaptic neurons, and has many important implications for nerve cell survival and differentiation. Consequently, synaptogenesis, synapse elimination, and neurotransmitter release, are nitric oxide-modulated. Interesting, an emergent role of nitric oxide pathways has been discussed as regards neurotoxicity from glutamate-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that nitric oxide pathways modulation could prevent oxidative damage to neurons through apoptosis inhibition. This review aims to highlight the emergent aspects of nitric oxide-mediated signaling in the brain, and how they can be related to neurotoxicity, as well as the development of neurodegenerative diseases development. Copyright © 2016 Sociedad Española de Arteriosclerosis. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  19. Endotoxin inactivation by selected drinking water treatment oxidants.

    PubMed

    Anderson, William B; Mayfield, Colin I; Dixon, D George; Huck, Peter M

    2003-11-01

    Exposure to endotoxins in treated drinking water can occur through ingestion, dermal abrasions, inhalation of water vapor, intravenous injection or during dialysis. While the risks associated with endotoxin ingestion and entry through dermal abrasions are not well quantified, adverse effects of intravenous injection and dialysis are well known and some studies indicate that inhalation of moisture-laden air may impact human health. This study quantifies the inactivation of endotoxin derived from Escherichia coli O55:B5 by three substances used either as disinfectants or oxidants in drinking water treatment: chlorine, monochloramine and potassium permanganate. Inactivation rates were found to be 1.4, 1.0 and 0.7 endotoxin units (EU)/mL h, for free chlorine, potassium permanganate and monochloramine, respectively. These rates are relatively slow given that contact times in drinking water distribution systems are typically less than 48 h. While small amounts of endotoxin may be removed by oxidation the observed removals are much less than those provided by physical removal processes. The significance of this finding is important for dialysis considerations but is as yet unclear with regard to inhalation, as the risk of inhaling sufficient quantities of endotoxin-containing aerosolized water droplets to adversely affect human health has not yet been adequately quantified.

  20. Treatment of sunitinib-induced hypertension in solid tumor by nitric oxide donors☆

    PubMed Central

    León-Mateos, L.; Mosquera, J.; Antón Aparicio, L.

    2015-01-01

    Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGFR) are overexpressed in the majority of renal cell carcinomas. This characteristic has supported the rationale of targeting VEGF-driven tumour vascularization, especially in clear cell RCC. VEGF-inhibiting strategies include the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (sunitinib, axitinib, pazopanib, and sorafenib) and neutralizing antibodies such as bevacizumab. Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most common adverse effects of angiogenesis inhibitors. HTN observed in clinical trials appears to correlate with the potency of VEGF kinase inhibitor against VEGFR-2: agents with higher potency are associated with a higher incidence of HTN. Although the exact mechanism by tyrosine kinase inhibitors induce HTN has not yet been completely clarified, two key hypotheses have been postulated. First, some studies have pointed to a VEGF inhibitors-induced decrease in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and nitric oxide (NO) production, that can result in vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure. VEGF, mediated by PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathway, upregulates the endothelial nitric oxide synthase enzyme leading to up-regulation of NO production. So inhibition of signaling through the VEGF pathway would lead to a decrease in NO production, resulting in an increase in vascular resistance and blood pressure. Secondly a decrease in the number of microvascular endothelial cells and subsequent depletion of normal microvessel density (rarefaction) occurs upon VEGF signaling inhibition. NO donors could be successfully used not only for the treatment of developed angiogenesis-inhibitor-induced hypertension but also for preventive effects. PMID:26386874

  1. Nitric oxide induced by Indian ginseng root extract inhibits Infectious Bursal Disease virus in chicken embryo fibroblasts in vitro.

    PubMed

    Ganguly, Bhaskar; Umapathi, Vijaypillai; Rastogi, Sunil Kumar

    2018-01-01

    Infectious Bursal Disease is a severe viral disease of chicken responsible for serious economic losses to poultry farmers. The causative agent, Infectious Bursal Disease virus, is inhibited by nitric oxide. Root extract of the Indian ginseng, Withania somnifera , inhibits Infectious Bursal Disease virus in vitro. Also, Withania somnifera root extract is known to induce nitric oxide production in vitro. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine if the inhibitory activity of Withania somnifera against Infectious Bursal Disease virus was based on the production of nitric oxide. We show that besides other mechanisms, the inhibition of Infectious Bursal Disease virus by Withania somnifera involves the production of nitric oxide. Our results also highlight the paradoxical role of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of Infectious Bursal Disease.

  2. Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid effects on murine macrophage nitric oxide production.

    PubMed

    Lyle, Daniel B; Breger, Joyce C; Baeva, Larissa F; Shallcross, Jonathan C; Durfor, Charles N; Wang, Nam Sun; Langone, John J

    2010-09-01

    Hyaluronic acid (HA) is increasingly used for a number of medical device applications. Since the chemical structure of HA is identical no matter its bacterial or animal origin, it should be the ideal biomaterial. However, short term transient inflammatory reactions are common, while rare long-term adverse events may correlate with subclinical chronic inflammation. Concern has been raised that low molecular weight components or degradation fragments from implanted HA may directly stimulate inflammatory reactions. This study examined a panel of HA molecular weights from the unitary disaccharide up to 1.7 x 10(6) Dalton lengths, in which endotoxin was assayed at a very low level (less than 0.03 EU/mg). The murine cell line RAW 264.7, rat splenocytes, and rat adherent differentiated primary macrophages were assayed for nitric oxide production under a variety of inflammatory conditions plus or minus HA. Under the highest inflammatory states, nitric oxide production was mildly suppressed by HMW-HA while slightly augmented by LMW-HA at mg/mL concentrations. However, at micromolar concentrations fragments below 5000 Daltons, thought to have drug-like qualities, were without effect. These data support the hypothesis that if endotoxin is reduced to an extremely low level, LMW-HA may not directly provoke normal tissue macrophage-mediated inflammatory reactions. (c) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  3. Nitric oxide mitigates arsenic-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in Vicia faba L.

    PubMed

    Shukla, Pratiksha; Singh, A K

    2015-09-01

    The protective effects of nitric oxide (NO) against arsenic (As)-induced structural disturbances in Vicia faba have been investigated. As treatment (0.25, 0.50, and 1 mM) resulted in a declined growth of V. faba seedlings. Arsenic treatment stimulates the activity of SOD and CAT while the activities of APX and GST content were decreased. The oxidative stress markers such as superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde (lipid peroxidation) contents were enhanced by As. Overall results revealed that significant accumulation of As suppressed growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, APX, and GST activity), mitotic index, and induction of different chromosomal abnormalities, hence led to oxidative stress. The concentration of SNP (0.02 mM) was very effective in counteracting the adverse effect of As toxicity. These abnormalities use partially or fully reversed by a simultaneous application of As and NO donor and sodium nitroprusside and has an ameliorating effect against As-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in V. faba roots.

  4. Arginine supplementation induces myoblast fusion via augmentation of nitric oxide production.

    PubMed

    Long, Jodi H D; Lira, Vitor A; Soltow, Quinlyn A; Betters, Jenna L; Sellman, Jeff E; Criswell, David S

    2006-01-01

    The semi-essential amino acid, L-arginine (L-Arg), is the substrate for endogenous synthesis of nitric oxide, a molecule that is involved in myoblast proliferation and fusion. Since L-Arg supply may limit nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in endothelial cells, we examined L-Arg supplementation in differentiating mouse myoblasts and tested the hypothesis that L-Arg exerts direct effects on myoblast fusion via augmentation of endogenous nitric oxide production. C(2)C(12) myoblasts in differentiation media received one of the following treatments for 120 h: 1 mM L-Arg, 0.1 mM N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), L-Arg + L-NAME, 10 mM L-Lysine, or no supplement (Control). Cultures were fixed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for microphotometric image analysis of myotube density, nuclear density, and fusion index (% of total nuclei in myotubes). Endogenous production of nitric oxide during the treatment period peaked between 24 and 48 h. L-Arg amplified nitric oxide production between 0 and 24 h and increased myotube density, total nuclei number, and nuclear fusion index. These L-Arg effects were prevented by the NOS inhibitor, L-NAME. Further, L-Lysine, a competitive inhibitor of L-Arg uptake, repressed nitric oxide production and reduced myotube density and fusion index. In summary, L-Arg augments myotube formation and increases nitric oxide production in a process limited by cellular L-Arg uptake.

  5. Effects of endogenous nitric oxide and of DETA NONOate in arteriogenesis.

    PubMed

    Troidl, Kerstin; Tribulova, Silvia; Cai, Wei-Jun; Rüding, Inka; Apfelbeck, Hanna; Schierling, Wilma; Troidl, Christian; Schmitz-Rixen, Thomas; Schaper, Wolfgang

    2010-02-01

    Previous studies showed that targeted endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) disruption in mice with femoral artery occlusion does not impede and transgenic eNOS overexpression does not stimulate collateral artery growth after femoral artery occlusion, suggesting that nitric oxide from eNOS does not play a role in arteriogenesis. However, pharmacologic nitric oxide synthase inhibition with L-NAME markedly blocks arteriogenesis, suggestive of an important role of nitric oxide. To solve the paradox, we studied targeted deletion of eNOS and of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in mice and found that only iNOS knockout could partially inhibit arteriogenesis. However, the combination of eNOS knockout and treatment with the iNOS inhibitor L-NIL completely abolished arteriogenesis. mRNA transcription studies (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) performed on collateral arteries of rats showed that eNOS and especially iNOS (but not neural nitric oxide synthase) become upregulated in shear stress-stimulated collateral vessels, which supports the hypothesis that nitric oxide is necessary for arteriogenesis but that iNOS plays an important part. This was strengthened by the observation that the nitric oxide donor DETA NONOate strongly stimulated collateral artery growth, activated perivascular monocytes, and increased proliferation markers. Shear stress-induced nitric oxide may activate the innate immune system and activate iNOS. In conclusion, arteriogenesis is completely dependent on the presence of nitric oxide, a large part of it coming from mononuclear cells.

  6. Cytosolic NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase protects macrophages from LPS-induced nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species.

    PubMed

    Maeng, Oky; Kim, Yong Chan; Shin, Han-Jae; Lee, Jie-Oh; Huh, Tae-Lin; Kang, Kwang-il; Kim, Young Sang; Paik, Sang-Gi; Lee, Hayyoung

    2004-04-30

    Macrophages activated by microbial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) produce bursts of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Redox protection systems are essential for the survival of the macrophages since the nitric oxide and ROS can be toxic to them as well as to pathogens. Using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) we found that cytosolic NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDPc) is strongly upregulated by nitric oxide in macrophages. The levels of IDPc mRNA and of the corresponding enzymatic activity were markedly increased by treatment of RAW264.7 cells or peritoneal macrophages with LPS or SNAP (a nitric oxide donor). Over-expression of IDPc reduced intracellular peroxide levels and enhanced the survival of H2O2- and SNAP-treated RAW264.7 macrophages. IDPc is known to generate NADPH, a cellular reducing agent, via oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate. The expression of enzymes implicated in redox protection, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, was relatively unaffected by LPS and SNAP. We propose that the induction of IDPc is one of the main self-protection mechanisms of macrophages against LPS-induced oxidative stress.

  7. Flavone inhibits nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, nitric oxide production and protein S-nitrosylation in breast cancer cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhu, Wenzhen; Yang, Bingwu; Fu, Huiling

    As the core structure of flavonoids, flavone has been proved to possess anticancer effects. Flavone's growth inhibitory functions are related to NO. NO is synthesized by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and generally increased in a variety of cancer cells. NO regulates multiple cellular responses by S-nitrosylation. In this study, we explored flavone-induced regulations on nitric oxide (NO)-related cellular processes in breast cancer cells. Our results showed that, flavone suppresses breast cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. Flavone restrains NO synthesis by does-dependent inhibiting NOS enzymatic activity. The decrease of NO generation was detected by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Flavone-inducedmore » inhibitory effect on NOS activity is dependent on intact cell structure. For the NO-induced protein modification, flavone treatment significantly down-regulated protein S-nitrosylation, which was detected by “Biotin-switch” method. The present study provides a novel, NO-related mechanism for the anticancer function of flavone. - Highlights: • Flavone inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. • Flavone decreases nitric oxide production by inhibiting NOS enzymatic activity in breast cancer cells. • Flavone down-regulates protein S-nitrosylation.« less

  8. Study of the nitric oxide system in the rat cerebellum during aging.

    PubMed

    Blanco, Santos; Molina, Francisco J; Castro, Lourdes; Del Moral, Maria L; Hernandez, Raquel; Jimenez, Ana; Rus, Alma; Martinez-Lara, Esther; Siles, Eva; Peinado, Maria A

    2010-06-24

    The cerebellum is the neural structure with the highest levels of nitric oxide, a neurotransmitter that has been proposed to play a key role in the brain aging, although knowledge concerning its contribution to cerebellar senescence is still unclear, due mainly to absence of integrative studies that jointly evaluate the main factors involved in its cell production and function. Consequently, in the present study, we investigate the expression, location, and activity of nitric oxide synthase isoenzymes; the protein nitration; and the production of nitric oxide in the cerebellum of adult and old rats. Our results show no variation in the expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms with aging, although, we have detected some changes in the cellular distribution pattern of the inducible isoform particularly in the cerebellar nuclei. There is also an increase in nitric oxide synthase activity, as well as greater protein-nitration levels, and maintenance of nitrogen oxides (NOx) levels in the senescent cerebellum. The nitric oxide/nitric oxide synthases system suffers from a number of changes, mainly in the inducible nitric oxide synthase distribution and in overall nitric oxide synthases activity in the senescent cerebellum, which result in an increase of the protein nitration. These changes might be related to the oxidative damage detected with aging in the cerebellum.

  9. Inducible nitric oxide synthase evoked nitric oxide counteracts capsaicin-induced airway smooth muscle contraction, but exacerbates plasma extravasation.

    PubMed

    Li, Ping-Chia; Shaw, Chen-Fu; Kuo, Tin-Fan; Chien, Chiang-Ting

    2005-04-18

    The contribution of nitric oxide (NO) to capsaicin-evoked airway responses was investigated in rats. The measurement of plasma NO level, airway dynamics, airway smooth muscle electromyogram, and plasma extravasation by India ink and Evans blue leakage technique was adapted. Capsaicin-evoked hypotension, bronchoconstriction, trachea plasma extravasation as well as increases in plasma NO level in a dose-dependent manner. L-732138 (NK1 receptor antagonist) or SR-48968 (NK2 receptor antagonist) pretreatment reduced capsaicin-enhanced hypotension, bronchoconstriction, plasma extravasation, and plasma NO level. N(G)-nitro-L-Arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 mg/kg, i.v.), a non-selective NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, or aminoguanidine (10 mg/kg, i.v.), a selective inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitor, reduced capsaicin-induced increases in plasma NO level and protected against capsaicin-induced plasma extravasation, whereas L-arginine (150 mg/kg, i.v.), a NO precursor, enhanced capsaicin-evoked plasma NO level and plasma extravasation. L-Arginine pretreatment ameliorated capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction, whereas L-NAME and aminoguanidine exaggerated capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction. In summary, NK1 and NK2 receptors and iNOS play a role in NO formation and on capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction and plasma extravasation. NO generated by iNOS counteracts tachykinin-mediated bronchoconstriction, but exacerbates tachykinin-mediated plasma extravasation.

  10. Endomembrane H-Ras Controls Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-induced Nitric-oxide Synthase-mediated Endothelial Cell Migration*

    PubMed Central

    Haeussler, Dagmar J.; Pimentel, David R.; Hou, Xiuyun; Burgoyne, Joseph R.; Cohen, Richard A.; Bachschmid, Markus M.

    2013-01-01

    We demonstrate for the first time that endomembrane-delimited H-Ras mediates VEGF-induced activation of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) and migratory response of human endothelial cells. Using thiol labeling strategies and immunofluorescent cell staining, we found that only 31% of total H-Ras is S-palmitoylated, tethering the small GTPase to the plasma membrane but leaving the function of the large majority of endomembrane-localized H-Ras unexplained. Knockdown of H-Ras blocked VEGF-induced PI3K-dependent Akt (Ser-473) and eNOS (Ser-1177) phosphorylation and nitric oxide-dependent cell migration, demonstrating the essential role of H-Ras. Activation of endogenous H-Ras led to recruitment and phosphorylation of eNOS at endomembranes. The loss of migratory response in cells lacking endogenous H-Ras was fully restored by modest overexpression of an endomembrane-delimited H-Ras palmitoylation mutant. These studies define a newly recognized role for endomembrane-localized H-Ras in mediating nitric oxide-dependent proangiogenic signaling. PMID:23548900

  11. Mycobacterial glycolipids di-O-acylated trehalose and tri-O-acylated trehalose downregulate inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide production in macrophages.

    PubMed

    Espinosa-Cueto, Patricia; Escalera-Zamudio, Marina; Magallanes-Puebla, Alejandro; López-Marín, Luz María; Segura-Salinas, Erika; Mancilla, Raúl

    2015-06-23

    Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious human health problem that affects millions of people in the world. Understanding the biology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is essential for tackling this devastating disease. Mtb possesses a very complex cell envelope containing a variety of lipid components that participate in the establishment of the infection. We have previously demonstrated that di-O-acylated trehalose (DAT), a non-covalently linked cell wall glycolipid, inhibits the proliferation of T lymphocytes and the production of cytokines. In this work we show that DAT and the closely related tri-O-acylated trehalose (TAT) inhibits nitric oxide (NO) production and the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in macrophages (MØ). These findings show that DAT and TAT are cell-wall located virulence factors that downregulate an important effector of the immune response against mycobacteria.

  12. Elevated nitric oxide in recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis - association with clinical findings.

    PubMed

    Alvendal, Cathrin; Ehrström, Sophia; Brauner, Annelie; Lundberg, Jon O; Bohm-Starke, Nina

    2017-03-01

    Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis is defined as having three to four episodes per year and causes substantial suffering. Little is known about the mechanisms leading to relapses in otherwise healthy women. Nitric oxide is part of the nonspecific host defense and is increased during inflammation. Nitric oxide levels were measured and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase was analyzed in the vagina during an acute episode of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and after treatment with fluconazole. Twenty-eight women with symptoms of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis were enrolled together with 31 healthy controls. Nitric oxide was measured with an air-filled 25-mL silicon catheter balloon incubated in the vagina for five minutes and then analyzed by chemiluminescence technique. Vaginal biopsies were analyzed for the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase. Symptoms and clinical findings were surveyed using a scoring system. The measurements and biopsies were repeated in patients after six weeks of fluconazole treatment. Nitric oxide levels were increased during acute infection (median 352 ppb) compared with controls (median 6 ppb), p < 0.0001. The levels decreased after treatment (median 18 ppb) but were still higher than in controls. Increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase was observed in the epithelial basal layer in patients before and after treatment compared with controls. Before treatment, there were positive correlations between nitric oxide and symptom (r s  = 0.644) and examination scores (r s  = 0.677), p < 0.001. Nitric oxide is significantly elevated in patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis during acute episodes of infection and decreases after antifungal treatment. The results illustrate the pronounced inflammatory response in recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis correlating to symptoms of pain and discomfort. © 2017 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

  13. Agmatine enhances the anticonvulsant effect of lithium chloride on pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in mice: Involvement of L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway.

    PubMed

    Bahremand, Arash; Ziai, Pouya; Khodadad, Tina Kabiri; Payandemehr, Borna; Rahimian, Reza; Ghasemi, Abbas; Ghasemi, Mehdi; Hedayat, Tina; Dehpour, Ahmad Reza

    2010-07-01

    After nearly 60years, lithium is still the mainstay in the treatment of mood disorders. In addition to its antimanic and antidepressant effects, lithium also has anticonvulsant properties. Similar to lithium, agmatine plays a protective role in the central nervous system against seizures and has been reported to enhance the effect of different antiepileptic agents. Moreover, both agmatine and lithium have modulatory effects on the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway. This study was designed to investigate: (1) whether agmatine and lithium exert a synergistic effect against clonic seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole and (2) whether or not this synergistic effect is mediated through inhibition of the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway. In our study, acute administration of a single potent dose of lithium chloride (30mg/kg ip) increased seizure threshold, whereas pretreatment with a low and independently noneffective dose of agmatine (3mg/kg) potentiated a subeffective dose of lithium (10mg/kg). N(G)-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, nonspecific nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) at 1 and 5mg/kg and 7-nitroindazole (7-NI, preferential neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) at 15 and 30mg/kg augmented the anticonvulsant effect of the noneffective combination of lithium (10mg/kg ip) and agmatine (1mg/kg), whereas several doses (20 and 40mg/kg) of aminoguanidine (inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) failed to alter the seizure threshold of the same combination. Furthermore, pretreatment with independently noneffective doses (30 and 60mg/kg) of L-arginine (substrate for nitric oxide synthase) inhibited the potentiating effect of agmatine (3mg/kg) on lithium (10mg/kg). Our findings demonstrate that agmatine and lithium chloride have synergistic anticonvulsant properties that may be mediated through the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway. In addition, the role of constitutive nitric oxide synthase versus inducible nitric oxide synthase is prominent in this phenomenon

  14. Esculin attenuates endotoxin shock induced by lipopolysaccharide in mouse and NO production in vitro through inhibition of NF-κB activation.

    PubMed

    Li, Weifeng; Wang, Yu; Wang, Xiumei; He, Zehong; Liu, Fang; Zhi, Wenbing; Zhang, Hailin; Niu, Xiaofeng

    2016-11-15

    Esculin, a coumarin compound derived from the traditional Chinese herbs such as Cortex Fraxini, has long been used for treating inflammatory and vascular diseases. In present study, we analyzed the role of esculin against macrophages and endotoxin shock induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. Here, we demonstrated that esculin suppressed inflammatory reactions in macrophages and protected mice from LPS-induced endotoxin shock. We found that esculin significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) production via the inhibition of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation in macrophages. In animal model, esculin pretreatment significantly improved the survival rate of mice. LPS-induced increase of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum, lung, liver and kidney were markedly inhibited by esculin. IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, was up-regulated by esculin. Moreover, the histopathological analyses showed that esculin significantly attenuated the tissues injury of lung, liver, kidney in endotoxic mice. In addition, esculin significantly diminished the protein expression of NF-κB p65 in lung, liver, kidney, which resulted in lower levels of inflammatory mediators. These results suggest that esculin may be a potential drug for treatment of various inflammatory diseases. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Relations of exhaled nitric oxide and FEV1 to personal endotoxin exposure in schoolchildren with asthma.

    PubMed

    Delfino, Ralph J; Staimer, Norbert; Tjoa, Thomas; Gillen, Daniel L

    2015-12-01

    Asthma prevalence and acute exacerbations have been associated with endotoxin exposure. However, there are limited data on relations between acute asthma outcomes in children and personal exposure to endotoxin or whether this relation is modified by personal air pollution exposures. We made repeated measurements of the fractional concentration of exhaled NO (FeNO), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and personal endotoxin exposures in patients with persistent asthma aged 9-18 years, each of whom was followed for 10 consecutive days in Riverside and Whittier, California. Endotoxin was measured in PM2.5, and simultaneously we measured personal exposure to air pollutants: NO2 and PM2.5 mass, elemental carbon and organic carbon. Endotoxin exposure-response relations and interactions between endotoxin and air pollutants were analysed with mixed models controlling for personal temperature, humidity and the 10-day period. Neither percent-predicted FEV1 nor FeNO was associated with personal endotoxin overall; however, endotoxin was associated with FEV1 among patients with average percent-predicted FEV1<80%. When NO2 was above its median, FeNO increased by 2.2% (95% CI -0.8% to 5.2%) for an interquartile increase in personal endotoxin, whereas FeNO was lower by -1.8% (95% CI -4% to 0.5%) when NO2 was≤its median. However, this is out of 12 interaction tests between personal endotoxin and a binary air pollutant for each outcome (FEV1 and FeNO), and there were no interactions with any continuous-scaled pollutant. Personal endotoxin exposure was not associated with acute daily changes in FeNO or FEV1 in a cohort panel of schoolchildren with asthma, except for decreased FEV1 among patients with more severe asthma (percent-predicted FEV1<80%). There was limited evidence of effect modification of endotoxin by personal exposure to air pollution. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to

  16. Doxorubicin-induced nitrosative stress is mitigated by vitamin C via the modulation of nitric oxide synthases.

    PubMed

    Akolkar, Gauri; Bagchi, Ashim K; Ayyappan, Prathapan; Jassal, Davinder S; Singal, Pawan K

    2017-04-01

    An increase in oxidative stress is suggested to be the main cause in Doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiotoxicity. However, there is now evidence that activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitrosative stress are also involved. The role of vitamin C (Vit C) in the regulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and reduction of nitrosative stress in Dox-induced cardiotoxicity is unknown. The present study investigated the effects of Vit C in the mitigation of Dox-induced changes in the levels of nitric oxide (NO), NOS activity, protein expression of NOS isoforms, and nitrosative stress as well as cytokines TNF-α and IL-10 in isolated cardiomyocytes. Cardiomyocytes isolated from adult Sprague-Dawley rats were segregated into four groups: 1 ) control, 2 ) Vit C (25 µM), 3 ) Dox (10 µM), and 4 ) Vit C + Dox. Dox caused a significant increase in the generation of superoxide radical (O 2 ·- ), peroxynitrite, and NO, and these effects of Dox were blunted by Vit C. Dox increased the expression of iNOS and altered protein expression as well as activation of endothelial NOS (eNOS). These changes were prevented by Vit C. Dox induced an increase in the ratio of monomeric/dimeric eNOS, promoting the production of O 2 ·- , which was prevented by Vit C by increasing the stability of the dimeric form of eNOS. Vit C protected against the Dox-induced increase in TNFα as well as a reduction in IL-10. These results suggest that Vit C provides cardioprotection by reducing oxidative/nitrosative stress and inflammation via a modulation of Dox-induced increase in the NO levels and NOS activity. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

  17. Nitric oxide released by Lactobacillus farciminis improves TNBS-induced colitis in rats.

    PubMed

    Lamine, F; Fioramonti, J; Bueno, L; Nepveu, F; Cauquil, E; Lobysheva, I; Eutamène, H; Théodorou, V

    2004-01-01

    Beneficial effects of lactobacilli have been reported in experimental colitis. On the other hand, despite the controversial role of nitric oxide (NO) in the inflammatory gut process, a protective action of exogenous NO in inflammation has been suggested. Consequently, this study aimed to determine the effect of (i) sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor and (ii) treatment with Lactobacillus farciminis, which produces NO in vitro, on trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats and to evaluate the role of exogenous NO in this effect. Rats were divided into three groups receiving one of the following: (i) a continuous intracolonic (IC) infusion of SNP for 4 days, (ii) L. farciminis orally for 19 days, or (iii) saline. On day 1 and day 15, respectively, TNBS and saline were administrated IC, followed by a continuous IC infusion of saline or haemoglobin, a NO scavenger. At the end of treatments, the following parameters were evaluated: macroscopic damage of colonic mucosa, myeloperoxidase and nitric oxide synthase activities and colonic luminal NO production. In colitic rats, SNP and L. farciminis treatment significantly (P < 0.05) reduced macroscopic damage scores, myeloperoxidase and nitric oxide synthase activities compared to controls. Haemoglobin infusion abolished the anti-inflammatory effect of both NO donor treatments, but had no effect per se on colitis. NO released intraluminally by SNP infusion or by L. farciminis given orally improves TNBS-induced colitis in rats. These results indicate a protective role of NO donation in colonic inflammation and show for the first time a mechanism involving NO delivery by a bacterial strain reducing an experimental colitis.

  18. Differential anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of dexamethasone and N-acetylcysteine in endotoxin-induced lung inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Rocksén, D; Lilliehöök, B; Larsson, R; Johansson, T; Bucht, A

    2000-01-01

    Inhalation of bacterial endotoxin induces an acute inflammation in the lower respiratory tract. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of the anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and the glucocorticoid dexamethasone were investigated in mice exposed to aerosolized endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)). Powerful reduction of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained by a single i.p. injection of dexamethasone (10 mg/kg), whereas treatment with NAC only resulted in reduction of neutrophils when administered at a high dose (500 mg/kg). Measurement of cytokine and chemokine expression in lung tissue revealed a significant decrease of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p40, and MIP-1α mRNA when mice where treated with dexamethasone but not when treated with NAC. Analysis of oxidative burst demonstrated a remarkable reduction of oxygen radicals in BALF neutrophils after treatment with dexamethasone, whereas the effect of NAC was not significantly different from that in untreated animals. In conclusion, dexamethasone exerted both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects in acute airway inflammation, probably by blocking early events in the inflammatory cascade. In contrast, treatment with NAC resulted in a weak reduction of the inflammatory response but no inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines or reduction of oxidative burst in neutrophils. These results demonstrate dramatic differences in efficiency and also indicate that the two drugs have different actions. Combined treatment with NAC and dexamethasone revealed an additive action but no synergy was observed. PMID:11091282

  19. The lethal effects of cytokine-induced nitric oxide on cardiac myocytes are blocked by nitric oxide synthase antagonism or transforming growth factor beta.

    PubMed Central

    Pinsky, D J; Cai, B; Yang, X; Rodriguez, C; Sciacca, R R; Cannon, P J

    1995-01-01

    Inducible nitric oxide (NO) produced by macrophages is cytotoxic to invading organisms and has an important role in host defense. Recent studies have demonstrated inducible NO production within the heart, and that cytokine-induced NO mediates alterations in cardiac contractility, but the cytotoxic potential of nitric oxide with respect to the heart has not been defined. To evaluate the role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) on cardiac myocyte cytotoxicity, we exposed adult rat cardiac myocytes to either cytokines alone or to activated J774 macrophages in coculture. Increased expression of both iNOS message and protein was seen in J774 macrophages treated with IFN gamma and LPS and cardiac myocytes treated with TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and IFN gamma. Increased NO synthesis was confirmed in both the coculture and isolated myocyte preparations by increased nitrite production. Increased NO synthesis was associated with a parallel increase in myocyte death as measured by CPK release into the culture medium as well as by loss of membrane integrity, visualized by trypan blue staining. Addition of the competitive NO synthase inhibitor L-NMMA to the culture medium prevented both the increased nitrite production and the cytotoxicity observed after cytokine treatment in both the isolated myocyte and the coculture experiments. Because transforming growth-factor beta modulates iNOS expression in other cell types, we evaluated its effects on cardiac myocyte iNOS expression and NO-mediated myocyte cytotoxicity. TGF-beta reduced expression of cardiac myocyte iNOS message and protein, reduced nitrite production, and reduced NO-mediated cytotoxicity in parallel. Taken together, these experiments show the cytotoxic potential of endogenous NO production within the heart, and suggest a role for TGF-beta or NO synthase antagonists to mute these lethal effects. These findings may help explain the cardiac response to sepsis or allograft rejection, as well as the progression of

  20. Endothelial expression of selectins during endotoxin preconditioning.

    PubMed

    Bauer, P; Welbourne, T; Shigematsu, T; Russell, J; Granger, D N

    2000-12-01

    Although bacterial endotoxins [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] can confer tissue resistance to subsequent inflammatory insults, the mechanisms that underlie this LPS-preconditioning (LPS-PC) response remain poorly defined. The dual-radiolabeled monoclonal antibody technique was used to examine whether LPS-PC alters the upregulation (protein) of E- and P-selectins after subsequent LPS challenge. In the gut of wild-type (C57BL/6J) mice, LPS-PC was associated with a reduction in E- (66%) and P-selectin (33%) expression. A similar reduction in E-selectin expression was observed in mutant mice that were genetically deficient in either the endothelial or inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase or that overexpressed the human gene for Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase. Severe combined immunodeficient mice, genetically devoid of lymphocytes, did exhibit partial inhibition of the LPS-PC response. We conclude that 1) LPS-PC can be demonstrated for E- and P-selectins in some vascular beds (e.g., gut), 2) the mechanism(s) underlying this blunted selectin response does not include a major role for either nitric oxide and superoxide, and 3) circulating lymphocytes may contribute to the LPS-PC response.

  1. Nitric oxide synthesis in patients with advanced HIV infection.

    PubMed Central

    Evans, T G; Rasmussen, K; Wiebke, G; Hibbs, J B

    1994-01-01

    The discovery that humans produce nitric oxide and that this molecule plays an important role in cell communication, host resistance to infection, and perhaps in host defence to neoplastic disease, has created much interest in further research on its function in the body. A cytokine-inducible high output L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway was recently detected in patients with advanced malignancy treated with IL-2. The production of nitric oxide was thus examined in patients with advanced HIV infection and in intensive care unit control patients. Extrinsic nitrate and nitrite consumption were carefully controlled in the diet or through the use of total parenteral nutrition. Seven of eight HIV+ patients were placed into positive nitrogen balance. Nitric oxide synthesis was found to be within the normal human range. In contrast, nitric oxide synthesis in extremely ill intensive care unit patients was low normal to depressed. PMID:8033424

  2. Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression is reduced in cystic fibrosis murine and human airway epithelial cells.

    PubMed Central

    Kelley, T J; Drumm, M L

    1998-01-01

    It has been reported that exhaled nitric oxide levels are reduced in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. We have examined the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the airways by immunostaining and found that iNOS is constitutively expressed in the airway epithelia of non-CF mouse and human tissues but essentially absent in the epithelium of CF airways. We explored potential consequences of lost iNOS expression and found that iNOS inhibition significantly increases mouse nasal trans-epithelial potential difference, and hindered the ability of excised mouse lungs to prevent growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The absence of continuous nitric oxide production in epithelial cells of CF airways may play a role in two CF-associated characteristics: hyperabsorption of sodium and susceptibility to bacterial infections. PMID:9739054

  3. Binding of /sup 125/I-labeled endotoxin to bovine, canine, and equine platelets and endotoxin-induced agglutination of canine platelets

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Meyers, K.M.; Boehme, M.; Inbar, O.

    Endotoxin from Escherichia coli O127:B8, Salmonella abortus-equi and S minnesota induced clumping of some canine platelets (PLT) at a final endotoxin concentration of 1 microgram/ml. Endotoxin-induced clumping of canine PLT was independent of PLT energy-requiring processes, because clumping was observed with canine PLT incubated with 2-deoxy-D-glucose and antimycin A. The PLT responded to adenosine diphosphate before, but not after, incubation with the metabolic inhibitors. Endotoxin induced a slight and inconsistant clumping of bovine and equine PLT at high (mg/ml) endotoxin concentration. High-affinity binding sites could not be demonstrated on canine, bovine, and equine PLT, using /sup 125/I-labeled E coli O127:B8more » endotoxin. Nonspecific binding was observed and appeared to be due primarily to an extraneous coat on the PLT surface that was removed by gel filtration. The endotoxin that was bound to PLT did not appear to modify PLT function. An attempt to identify plasma proteins that bound physiologically relevant amounts of endotoxin was not successful. The significance of the endotoxin-induced clumping or lack of it on the pathophysiology of endotoxemia is discussed.« less

  4. Prevention of dopaminergic neurotoxicity by targeting nitric oxide and peroxynitrite: implications for the prevention of methamphetamine-induced neurotoxic damage.

    PubMed

    Imam, S Z; Islam, F; Itzhak, Y; Slikker, W; Ali, S F

    2000-09-01

    Methamphetamine (METH) is a neurotoxic psychostimulant that produces catecholaminergic brain damage by producing oxidative stress and free radical generation. The role of oxygen and nitrogen radicals is well documented as a cause of METH-induced neurotoxic damage. In this study, we have obtained evidence that METH-induced neurotoxicity is the resultant of interaction between oxygen and nitrogen radicals, and it is mediated by the production of peroxynitrite. We have also assessed the effects of inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) as well as scavenger of nitric oxide and a peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst. Significant protective effects were observed with the inhibitor of nNOS, 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), as well as by the selective peroxynitrite scavenger or decomposition catalyst, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,4,6-trimethyl-3,5-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrinato iron III (FeTPPS). However, the use of a nitric oxide scavenger, 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (c-PTIO), did not provide any significant protection against METH-induced hyperthermia or peroxynitrite generation and the resulting dopaminergic neurotoxicity. In particular, treatment with FeTPPS completely prevented METH-induced hyperthermia, peroxynitrite production, and METH-induced dopaminergic depletion. Together, these data demonstrate that METH-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity is mediated by the generation of peroxynitrite, which can be selectively protected by nNOS inhibitors or peroxynitrite scavenger or decomposition catalysts.

  5. Alcohol, Intestinal Bacterial Growth, Intestinal Permeability to Endotoxin, and Medical Consequences

    PubMed Central

    Purohit, Vishnudutt; Bode, J. Christian; Bode, Christiane; Brenner, David A.; Choudhry, Mashkoor A.; Hamilton, Frank; Kang, Y. James; Keshavarzian, Ali; Rao, Radhakrishna; Sartor, R. Balfour; Swanson, Christine; Turner, Jerrold R.

    2008-01-01

    This report is a summary of the symposium on Alcohol, Intestinal Bacterial Growth, Intestinal Permeability to Endotoxin, and Medical Consequences, organized by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Office of Dietary Supplements, and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of National Institutes of Health in Rockville, Maryland, October 11, 2006. Alcohol exposure can promote the growth of Gram negative bacteria in the intestine which may result in accumulation of endotoxin. In addition, alcohol metabolism by Gram negative bacteria and intestinal epithelial cells can result in accumulation of acetaldehyde, which in turn can increase intestinal permeability to endotoxin by increasing tyrosine phosphorylation of tight junction and adherens junction proteins. Alcohol-induced generation of nitric oxide may also contribute to increased permeability to endotoxin by reacting with tubulin, which may cause damage to microtubule cytoskeleton and subsequent disruption of intestinal barrier function. Increased intestinal permeability can lead to increased transfer of endotoxin from the intestine to the liver and general circulation where endotoxin may trigger inflammatory changes in the liver and other organs. Alcohol may also increase intestinal permeability to peptidoglycan which can initiate inflammatory response in liver and other organs. In addition, acute alcohol exposure may potentiate the effect of burn injury on intestinal bacterial growth and permeability. Decreasing the number of Gram negative bacteria in the intestine can result in decreased production of endotoxin as well as acetaldehyde which is expected to decrease intestinal permeability to endotoxin. In addition, intestinal permeability may be preserved by administering epidermal growth factor, L-glutamine, oats supplementation, or zinc thereby preventing the transfer of endotoxin to the general circulation. Thus reducing the number of intestinal Gram negative bacteria and

  6. Nitric oxide is a mediator of methamphetamine (METH)-induced neurotoxicity. In vitro evidence from primary cultures of mesencephalic cells.

    PubMed

    Sheng, P; Cerruti, C; Ali, S; Cadet, J L

    1996-10-31

    METH is a monoaminergic toxic that destroys dopamine terminals in vivo. Oxidative mechanisms associated with DA metabolism are thought to play an important role in its toxic effects. These ideas were supported by the demonstration that CuZn-superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) transgenic mice were protected against the toxic effects of the drug. In the present study, we sought to determine if nitric oxide (NO) production was also involved in METH-induced neurotoxicity using primary cultures obtained from fetal rat mesencephalon. METH caused dose- and time-dependent cell death in vitro. Blockade of nitric oxide (NO) formation with several nitric oxide (NO) synthase blockers attenuated METH-mediated toxicity. Moreover, inhibition of ADP-ribosylation with nicotinamide and benzamide also provided protection against the toxicity of the drug. These results, together with our previous results in transgenic mice, support a role for free radicals in METH-induced toxic effects.

  7. Requirement of the inducible nitric oxide synthase pathway for IL-1-induced osteoclastic bone resorption

    PubMed Central

    van't Hof, R. J.; Armour, K. J.; Smith, L. M.; Armour, K. E.; Wei, X. Q.; Liew, F. Y.; Ralston, S. H.

    2000-01-01

    Nitric oxide has been suggested to be involved in the regulation of bone turnover, especially in pathological conditions characterized by release of bone-resorbing cytokines. The cytokine IL-1 is thought to act as a mediator of periarticular bone loss and tissue damage in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. IL-1 is a potent stimulator of both osteoclastic bone resorption and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in bone cells and other cell types. In this study, we investigated the role that the iNOS pathway plays in mediating the bone-resorbing effects of IL-1 by studying mice with targeted disruption of the iNOS gene. Studies in vitro and in vivo showed that iNOS-deficient mice exhibited profound defects of IL-1-induced osteoclastic bone resorption but responded normally to calciotropic hormones such as 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 and parathyroid hormone. Immunohistochemical studies and electrophoretic mobility shift assays performed on bone marrow cocultures from iNOS-deficient mice showed abnormalities in IL-1-induced nuclear translocation of the p65 component of NFκB and in NFκB-DNA binding, which were reversed by treatment with the NO donor S-nitroso-acetyl penicillamine. These results show that the iNOS pathway is essential for IL-1-induced bone resorption and suggest that the effects of NO may be mediated by modulating IL-1-induced nuclear activation of NFκB in osteoclast precursors. PMID:10869429

  8. Nitric oxide, human diseases and the herbal products that affect the nitric oxide signalling pathway.

    PubMed

    Achike, Francis I; Kwan, Chiu-Yin

    2003-09-01

    1. Nitric oxide (NO) is formed enzymatically from l-arginine in the presence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Nitric oxide is generated constitutively in endothelial cells via sheer stress and blood-borne substances. Nitric oxide is also generated constitutively in neuronal cells and serves as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator in non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic nerve endings. Furthermore, NO can also be formed via enzyme induction in many tissues in the presence of cytokines. 2. The ubiquitous presence of NO in the living body suggests that NO plays an important role in the maintenance of health. Being a free radical with vasodilatory properties, NO exerts dual effects on tissues and cells in various biological systems. At low concentrations, NO can dilate the blood vessels and improve the circulation, but at high concentrations it can cause circulatory shock and induce cell death. Thus, diseases can arise in the presence of the extreme ends of the physiological concentrations of NO. 3. The NO signalling pathway has, in recent years, become a target for new drug development. The high level of flavonoids, catechins, tannins and other polyphenolic compounds present in vegetables, fruits, soy, tea and even red wine (from grapes) is believed to contribute to their beneficial health effects. Some of these compounds induce NO formation from the endothelial cells to improve circulation and some suppress the induction of inducible NOS in inflammation and infection. 4. Many botanical medicinal herbs and drugs derived from these herbs have been shown to have effects on the NO signalling pathway. For example, the saponins from ginseng, ginsenosides, have been shown to relax blood vessels (probably contributing to the antifatigue and blood pressure-lowering effects of ginseng) and corpus cavernosum (thus, for the treatment of men suffering from erectile dysfunction; however, the legendary aphrodisiac effect of ginseng may be an overstatement). Many plant extracts or

  9. Nitric oxide alleviates aluminum-induced oxidative damage through regulating the ascorbate-glutathione cycle in roots of wheat.

    PubMed

    Sun, Chengliang; Liu, Lijuan; Yu, Yan; Liu, Wenjing; Lu, Lingli; Jin, Chongwei; Lin, Xianyong

    2015-06-01

    The possible association with nitric oxide (NO) and ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle in regulating aluminum (Al) tolerance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was investigated using two genotypes with different Al resistance. Exposure to Al inhibited root elongation, and triggered lipid peroxidation and oxidation of AsA to dehydroascorbate and GSH to glutathione disulfide in wheat roots. Exogenous NO significantly increased endogenous NO levels, and subsequently alleviated Al-induced inhibition of root elongation and oxidation of AsA and GSH to maintain the redox molecules in the reduced form in both wheat genotypes. Under Al stress, significantly increased activities and gene transcriptional levels of ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and dehydroascorbate reductase, were observed in the root tips of the Al-tolerant genotype Jian-864. Nitric oxide application enhanced the activity and gene transcriptional level of these enzymes in both wheat genotypes. γ-Glutamylcysteine synthetase was not significantly affected by Al or NO, but NO treatments increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase to a greater extent than the Al-treated wheat seedlings. Proline was significantly decreased by Al, while it was not affected by NO. These results clearly suggest that NO protects wheat root against Al-induced oxidative stress, possibly through its regulation of the AsA-GSH cycle. © 2014 Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

  10. Inhibition of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Attenuates Monosodium Urate-induced Inflammation in Mice

    PubMed Central

    Ju, Tae-Jin; Dan, Jin-Myoung; Cho, Young-Je

    2011-01-01

    The present study elucidated the effect of the selective inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor N6-(1-iminoethyl)-L-lysine (L-NIL) on monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced inflammation and edema in mice feet. L-NIL (5 or 10 mg/kg/day) was administered intraperitoneally 4 h before injection of MSU (4 mg) into the soles of mice hindlimb feet. Twenty-four hours after MSU injection, foot thickness was increased by 160% and L-NIL pretreatment reduced food pad swelling in a dose dependent manner. Pretreatment of 10 mg/kg/day L-NIL significantly suppressed the foot pad swelling by MSU. Plasma level of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites and gene expression and protein level of iNOS in feet were increased by MSU, which was suppressed by L-NIL pretreatment. Similar pattern of change was observed in nitrotyrosine level. MSU increased the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β and L-NIL pretreatment suppressed MSU-induced cytokines expression. The mRNA levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase1 were increased by MSU and L-NIL pretreatment normalized the gene expression. Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 was increased by MSU, which was suppressed by L-NIL pretreatment. The mRNA levels of iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-1β were increased by MSU in human dermal fibroblasts, C2C12 myoblasts, and human fetal osteoblasts in vitro, which was attenuated by L-NIL in a dose dependent manner. This study shows that L-NIL inhibits MSU-induced inflammation and edema in mice feet suggesting that iNOS might be involved in MSU-induced inflammation. PMID:22359474

  11. Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Infected Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Unable to Express Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Propagate Tuberculosis in Mice.

    PubMed

    Reece, Stephen T; Vogelzang, Alexis; Tornack, Julia; Bauer, Wolfgang; Zedler, Ulrike; Schommer-Leitner, Sandra; Stingl, Georg; Melchers, Fritz; Kaufmann, Stefan H E

    2018-04-23

    Persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis within human bone marrow stem cells has been identified as a potential bacterial niche during latent tuberculosis. Using a murine model of tuberculosis, we show here that bone marrow stem and progenitor cells containing M. tuberculosis propagated tuberculosis when transferred to naive mice, given that both transferred cells and recipient mice were unable to express inducible nitric oxide synthase, which mediates killing of intracellular bacteria via nitric oxide. Our findings suggest that bone marrow stem and progenitor cells containing M. tuberculosis propagate hallmarks of disease if nitric oxide-mediated killing of bacteria is defective.

  12. Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Infected Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Unable to Express Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Propagate Tuberculosis in Mice

    PubMed Central

    Reece, Stephen T; Vogelzang, Alexis; Tornack, Julia; Bauer, Wolfgang; Zedler, Ulrike; Schommer-Leitner, Sandra; Stingl, Georg; Melchers, Fritz; Kaufmann, Stefan H E

    2018-01-01

    Abstract Persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis within human bone marrow stem cells has been identified as a potential bacterial niche during latent tuberculosis. Using a murine model of tuberculosis, we show here that bone marrow stem and progenitor cells containing M. tuberculosis propagated tuberculosis when transferred to naive mice, given that both transferred cells and recipient mice were unable to express inducible nitric oxide synthase, which mediates killing of intracellular bacteria via nitric oxide. Our findings suggest that bone marrow stem and progenitor cells containing M. tuberculosis propagate hallmarks of disease if nitric oxide-mediated killing of bacteria is defective. PMID:29471332

  13. Nitric oxide donors or nitrite counteract copper-[dithiocarbamate](2)-mediated tumor cell death and inducible nitric oxide synthase down-regulation: possible role of a nitrosyl-copper [dithiocarbamate](2) complex.

    PubMed

    Rhenals, Maricela Viola; Strasberg-Rieber, Mary; Rieber, Manuel

    2010-02-25

    In contrast to other metal-dithiocarbamate [DEDTC] complexes, the copper-DEDTC complex is highly cytotoxic, inducing oxidative stress, preferentially in tumor cells. Because nitric oxide (NO) forms adducts with Cu[DEDTC](2), we investigated whether NO donors like S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and nitrite, a NO decomposition product, modulate Cu[DEDTC](2) cytotoxicity against human tumor cells. We show that apoptosis-associated PARP cleavage and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) down-regulation induced by nanomolar Cu[DEDTC](2), are counteracted by 50 muM SNAP, SNP, or CoCl(2), an inducer of hypoxia and NO signaling. Nitrite was stochiometrically effective in antagonizing Cu[DEDTC](2) cytotoxicity and inducing shifts in the absorption spectrum of the binary complex in the 280 and 450 nm regions. Subtoxic concentrations of Cu[DEDTC](2) became lethal when tumor cells were pretreated with c-PTIO, a membrane-impermeable scavenger for extracellular NO. Our results suggest that: (a) reactive oxygen species induced by Cu[DEDTC](2) are scavenged by nitrite released from NO, (b) the extent of lethality of Cu[DEDTC](2) is dependent on the reciprocal formation of an inactive ternary Cu[DEDTC](2)NO copper-nitrosyl complex.

  14. Nitric oxide mediates alginate oligosaccharides-induced root development in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

    PubMed

    Zhang, Yunhong; Liu, Hang; Yin, Heng; Wang, Wenxia; Zhao, Xiaoming; Du, Yuguang

    2013-10-01

    Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS), which are marine oligosaccharides, are involved in regulating plant root growth, but the promotion mechanism for AOS remains unclear. Here, AOS (10-80 mg L(-1)) were found to induce the generation of nitric oxide (NO) in the root system of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), which promoted the formation and elongation of wheat roots in a dose-dependent manner. NO inhibitors suggested that nitrate reductase (NR), rather than nitric oxide synthase (NOS), was essential for AOS-induced root development. Further studies confirmed that AOS-induced NO generation in wheat roots by up-regulating the gene expression and enzyme activity of NR at the post-transcriptional level. The anatomy and RT-PCR results showed that AOS accelerated the division and growth of stele cells, leading to an increase in the ratio of stele area to root transverse area. This could be inhibited by the NR inhibitor, sodium tungstate, which indicated that NO catalyzed by the NR was involved in AOS regulation of root development. Taken together, in the early stage of AOS-induced root development, NO generation was a novel mechanism by which AOS regulated plant growth. The results also showed that this marine resource could be widely used for crop development. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  15. Mangiferin alleviates hypertension induced by hyperuricemia via increasing nitric oxide releases.

    PubMed

    Yang, Hua; Bai, Wenwei; Gao, Lihui; Jiang, Jun; Tang, Yingxi; Niu, Yanfen; Lin, Hua; Li, Ling

    2018-06-06

    Mangiferin, a natural glucosyl xanthone, was confirmed to be an effective uric acid (UA)- lowering agent with dual action of inhibiting production and promoting excretion of UA. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of mangiferin on alleviating hypertension induced by hyperuricemia. Mangiferin (30, 60, 120 mg/kg) was administered intragastrically to hyperuricemic rats induced by gavage with potassium oxonate (750 mg/kg). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), serum levels of UA, nitric oxide (NO), C-reactionprotein (CRP) and ONOO - were measured. The mRNA and protein levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), CRP were also analyzed. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used in vitro studies. Administration of mangiferin significantly decreased the serum urate level and SBP at 8 weeks and last to 12 weeks. Further more, mangiferin could increase the release of NO and decrease the level of CRP in blood. In addition, mangiferin reversed the protein expression of eNOS, CRP, ICAM-1 and ONOO - in aortic segments in hyperuricemic rats. The results in vitro were consistent with the observed results in vivo. Taken together, these data suggested that mangiferin has played an important part in alleviating hypertension induced by hyperuricemia via increasing NO secretion and improving endothelial function. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Transcriptional activation of the human inducible nitric-oxide synthase promoter by Kruppel-like factor 6.

    PubMed

    Warke, Vishal G; Nambiar, Madhusoodana P; Krishnan, Sandeep; Tenbrock, Klaus; Geller, David A; Koritschoner, Nicolas P; Atkins, James L; Farber, Donna L; Tsokos, George C

    2003-04-25

    Nitric oxide is a ubiquitous free radical that plays a key role in a broad spectrum of signaling pathways in physiological and pathophysiological processes. We have explored the transcriptional regulation of inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) by Krüppel-like factor 6 (KLF6), an Sp1-like zinc finger transcription factor. Study of serial deletion constructs of the iNOS promoter revealed that the proximal 0.63-kb region can support a 3-6-fold reporter activity similar to that of the full-length 16-kb promoter. Within the 0.63-kb region, we identified two CACCC sites (-164 to -168 and -261 to -265) that bound KLF6 in both electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Mutation of both these sites abrogated the KLF6-induced enhancement of the 0.63-kb iNOS promoter activity. The binding of KLF6 to the iNOS promoter was significantly increased in Jurkat cells, primary T lymphocytes, and COS-7 cells subjected to NaCN-induced hypoxia, heat shock, serum starvation, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate/ ionophore stimulation. Furthermore, in KLF6-transfected and NaCN-treated COS-7 cells, there was a 3-4-fold increase in the expression of the endogenous iNOS mRNA and protein that correlated with increased production of nitric oxide. These findings indicate that KLF6 is a potential transactivator of the human iNOS promoter in diverse pathophysiological conditions.

  17. Human endogenous retrovirus W env increases nitric oxide production and enhances the migration ability of microglia by regulating the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase.

    PubMed

    Xiao, Ran; Li, Shan; Cao, Qian; Wang, Xiuling; Yan, Qiujin; Tu, Xiaoning; Zhu, Ying; Zhu, Fan

    2017-06-01

    Human endogenous retrovirus W env (HERV-W env) plays a critical role in many neuropsychological diseases such as schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis (MS). These diseases are accompanied by immunological reactions in the central nervous system (CNS). Microglia are important immunocytes in brain inflammation that can produce a gasotransmitter-nitric oxide (NO). NO not only plays a role in the function of neuronal cells but also participates in the pathogenesis of various neuropsychological diseases. In this study, we reported increased NO production in CHME-5 microglia cells after they were transfected with HERV-W env. Moreover, HERV-W env increased the expression and function of human inducible nitric oxide synthase (hiNOS) and enhanced the promoter activity of hiNOS. Microglial migration was also enhanced. These data revealed that HERV-W env might contribute to increase NO production and microglial migration ability in neuropsychological disorders by regulating the expression of inducible NOS. Results from this study might lead to the identification of novel targets for the treatment of neuropsychological diseases, including neuroinflammatory diseases, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases.

  18. Chlorogenic acid ameliorates endotoxin-induced liver injury by promoting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhou, Yan; College of Food Safety, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025; Ruan, Zheng, E-mail: ruanzheng@ncu.edu.cn

    Acute or chronic hepatic injury is a common pathology worldwide. Mitochondrial dysfunction and the depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) play important roles in liver injury. Chlorogenic acids (CGA) are some of the most abundant phenolic acids in human diet. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that CGA may protect against chronic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury by modulating mitochondrial energy generation. CGA decreased the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. The contents of ATP and adenosine monophosphate (AMP), as well as the ratio of AMP/ATP, were increased after CGA supplementation. The activities of enzymes thatmore » are involved in glycolysis were reduced, while those of enzymes involved in oxidative phosphorylation were increased. Moreover, phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and mRNA levels of AMPK-α, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1, and mitochondrial DNA transcription factor A were increased after CGA supplementation. Collectively, these findings suggest that the hepatoprotective effect of CGA might be associated with enhanced ATP production, the stimulation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and the inhibition of glycolysis. - Highlights: • Dietary supplementation with chlorogenic acid (CGA) improved endotoxin-induced liver injury. • Chlorogenic acid enhances ATP increase and shifts energy metabolism, which is correlated with up-regulation AMPK and PGC-1α. • The possible mechanism of CGA on mitochondrial biogenesis was correlated with up-regulation AMPK and PGC-1α.« less

  19. Nitric oxide inhibits calpain-mediated proteolysis of talin in skeletal muscle cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Koh, T. J.; Tidball, J. G.

    2000-01-01

    We tested the hypothesis that nitric oxide can inhibit cytoskeletal breakdown in skeletal muscle cells by inhibiting calpain cleavage of talin. The nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside prevented many of the effects of calcium ionophore on C(2)C(12) muscle cells, including preventing talin proteolysis and release into the cytosol and reducing loss of vinculin, cell detachment, and loss of cellular protein. These results indicate that nitric oxide inhibition of calpain protected the cells from ionophore-induced proteolysis. Calpain inhibitor I and a cell-permeable calpastatin peptide also protected the cells from proteolysis, confirming that ionophore-induced proteolysis was primarily calpain mediated. The activity of m-calpain in a casein zymogram was inhibited by sodium nitroprusside, and this inhibition was reversed by dithiothreitol. Previous incubation with the active site-targeted calpain inhibitor I prevented most of the sodium nitroprusside-induced inhibition of m-calpain activity. These data suggest that nitric oxide inhibited m-calpain activity via S-nitrosylation of the active site cysteine. The results of this study indicate that nitric oxide produced endogenously by skeletal muscle and other cell types has the potential to inhibit m-calpain activity and cytoskeletal proteolysis.

  20. Effects of exercise training on stress-induced vascular reactivity alterations: role of nitric oxide and prostanoids

    PubMed Central

    Bruder-Nascimento, Thiago; Silva, Samuel T.; Boer, Patrícia A.; Cordellini, Sandra

    2015-01-01

    Background: Physical exercise may modify biologic stress responses. Objective: To investigate the impact of exercise training on vascular alterations induced by acute stress, focusing on nitric oxide and cyclooxygenase pathways. Method: Wistar rats were separated into: sedentary, trained (60-min swimming, 5 days/week during 8 weeks, carrying a 5% body-weight load), stressed (2 h-immobilization), and trained/stressed. Response curves for noradrenaline, in the absence and presence of L-NAME or indomethacin, were obtained in intact and denuded aortas (n=7-10). Results: None of the procedures altered the denuded aorta reactivity. Intact aortas from stressed, trained, and trained/stressed rats showed similar reduction in noradrenaline maximal responses (sedentary 3.54±0.15, stressed 2.80±0.10*, trained 2.82±0.11*, trained/stressed 2.97± 0.21*, *P<0.05 relate to sedentary). Endothelium removal and L-NAME abolished this hyporeactivity in all experimental groups, except in trained/stressed rats that showed a partial aorta reactivity recovery in L-NAME presence (L-NAME: sedentary 5.23±0,26#, stressed 5.55±0.38#, trained 5.28±0.30#, trained/stressed 4.42±0.41, #P<0.05 related to trained/stressed). Indomethacin determined a decrease in sensitivity (EC50) in intact aortas of trained rats without abolishing the aortal hyporeactivity in trained, stressed, and trained/stressed rats. Conclusions: Exercise-induced vascular adaptive response involved an increase in endothelial vasodilator prostaglandins and nitric oxide. Stress-induced vascular adaptive response involved an increase in endothelial nitric oxide. Beside the involvement of the endothelial nitric oxide pathway, the vascular response of trained/stressed rats involved an additional mechanism yet to be elucidated. These findings advance on the understanding of the vascular processes after exercise and stress alone and in combination. PMID:26083604

  1. Arsenic toxicity induced endothelial dysfunction and dementia: Pharmacological interdiction by histone deacetylase and inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitors

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sharma, Bhupesh, E-mail: drbhupeshresearch@gmail.com; Sharma, P.M.

    Arsenic toxicity has been reported to damage all the major organs including the brain and vasculature. Dementia including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) are posing greater risk to the world population as it is now increasing at a faster rate. We have investigated the role of sodium butyrate, a selective histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor and aminoguanidine, a selective inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor in pharmacological interdiction of arsenic toxicity induced vascular endothelial dysfunction and dementia in rats. Arsenic toxicity was done by administering arsenic drinking water to rats. Morris water-maze (MWM) test was used for assessment ofmore » learning and memory. Endothelial function was assessed using student physiograph. Oxidative stress (aortic superoxide anion, serum and brain thiobarbituric acid reactive species, brain glutathione) and nitric oxide levels (serum nitrite/nitrate) were also measured. Arsenic treated rats have shown impairment of endothelial function, learning and memory, reduction in serum nitrite/nitrate and brain GSH levels along with increase in serum and brain TBARS. Sodium butyrate as well as aminoguanidine significantly convalesce arsenic induced impairment of learning, memory, endothelial function, and alterations in various biochemical parameters. It may be concluded that arsenic induces endothelial dysfunction and dementia, whereas, sodium butyrate, a HDAC inhibitor as well as aminoguanidine, a selective iNOS inhibitor may be considered as potential agents for the management of arsenic induced endothelial dysfunction and dementia. - Highlights: • As has induced endothelial dysfunction (Edf) and vascular dementia (VaD). • As has increased oxidative stress, AChE activity and decreased serum NO. • Inhibitors of HDAC and iNOS have attenuated As induced Edf and VaD. • Both the inhibitors have attenuated As induced biochemical changes. • Inhibitor of HDAC and iNOS has shown good

  2. Nitric Oxide-Induced Apoptosis of Human Dental Pulp Cells Is Mediated by the Mitochondria-Dependent Pathway

    PubMed Central

    Park, Min Young; Jeong, Yeon Jin; Kang, Gi Chang; Kim, Mi-Hwa; Kim, Sun Hun; Chung, Hyun-Ju

    2014-01-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) is recognized as a mediator and regulator of inflammatory responses. NO is produced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and NOS is abundantly expressed in the human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). NO produced by NOS can be cytotoxic at higher concentrations to HDPCs. However, the mechanism by which this cytotoxic pathway is activated in cells exposed to NO is not known. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the NO-induced cytotoxic mechanism in HDPCs. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, reduced the viability of HDPCs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We investigated the in vitro effects of nitric oxide on apoptosis of cultured HDPCs. Cells showed typical apoptotic morphology after exposure to SNP. Besides, the number of Annexin V positive cells was increased among the SNP-treated HDPCs. SNP enhanced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) ameliorated the decrement of cell viability induced by SNP. However, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor (ODQ) did not inhibited the decrement of cell viability induced by SNP. SNP increased cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to the cytosol and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 expression levels. Moreover, SNP-treated HDPCs elevated activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9. While pretreatment with inhibitors of caspase (z-VAD-fmk, z-DEVD-fmk) reversed the NO-induced apoptosis of HDPCs. From these results, it can be suggested that NO induces apoptosis of HDPCs through the mitochondria-dependent pathway mediated by ROS and Bcl-2 family, but not by the cyclic GMP pathway. PMID:24634593

  3. Effects of garlic oil and two of its major organosulfur compounds, diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide, on intestinal damage in rats injected with endotoxin

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chiang, Y.-H.; Jen, L.-N.; Su, H.-Y.

    Garlic and its active components are known to possess antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects. The present study investigated the effects of garlic oil and its organosulfur compounds on endotoxin-induced intestinal mucosal damage. Wistar rats received by gavage 50 or 200 mg/kg body weight garlic oil (GO), 0.5 mmol/kg body weight diallyl disulfide or diallyl trisulfide, or the vehicle (corn oil; 2 ml/kg body weight) every other day for 2 weeks before being injected with endotoxin (i.p., 5 mg/kg body weight). Control rats were administered with corn oil and were injected with sterile saline. Samples for the measurement of proinflammatory cytokines weremore » collected 3 h after injection, and all other samples were collected 18 h after injection. The low dose of GO suppressed endotoxin-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity, ulceration, and apoptosis in the intestinal mucosa (P < 0.05). The high dose of GO significantly lowered the peripheral level of nitrate/nitrite and endotoxin-induced iNOS activity in the intestinal mucosa (P < 0.05) but worsened intestinal mucosal damage accompanied by elevated peripheral proinflammatory cytokines. Diallyl trisulfide but not diallyl disulfide showed similar toxic effect as that of high-dose GO. These results suggest the preventive effect and possible toxicity of garlic oil and its organosulfur compounds in endotoxin-induced systemic inflammation and intestinal damage.« less

  4. Nitric oxide regulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide gene expression in rat trigeminal ganglia neurons

    PubMed Central

    Bellamy, Jamie; Bowen, Elizabeth J.; Russo, Andrew F.; Durham, Paul L.

    2006-01-01

    Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and nitric oxide are involved in the underlying pathophysiology of migraine and other diseases involving neurogenic inflammation. We have tested the hypothesis that nitric oxide might trigger signaling mechanisms within the trigeminal ganglia neurons that would coordinately stimulate CGRP synthesis and release. Treatment of primary trigeminal ganglia cultures with nitric oxide donors caused a greater than four-fold increase in CGRP release compared with unstimulated cultures. Similarly, CGRP promoter activity was also stimulated by nitric oxide donors and overexpression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Cotreatment with the antimigraine drug sumatriptan greatly repressed nitric oxide stimulation of CGRP promoter activity and secretion. Somewhat surprisingly, the mechanisms of nitric oxide stimulation of CGRP secretion did not require cGMP or PI3-kinase signaling pathways, but rather, nitric oxide action required extracellular calcium and likely involves T-type calcium channels. Furthermore, nitric oxide was shown to increase expression of the active forms of the mitogen-activated protein kinases Jun amino-terminal kinase and p38 but not extracellular signal-related kinase in trigeminal neurons. In summary, our results provide new insight into the cellular mechanisms by which nitric oxide induces CGRP synthesis and secretion from trigeminal neurons. PMID:16630053

  5. Neural mechanisms in nitric-oxide-deficient hypertension

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sander, M.; Victor, R. G.; Blomqvist, C. G. (Principal Investigator)

    1999-01-01

    Nitric oxide is hypothesized to be an inhibitory modulator of central sympathetic nervous outflow, and deficient neuronal nitric oxide production to cause sympathetic overactivity, which then contributes to nitric-oxide-deficient hypertension. The biochemical and neuroanatomical basis for this concept revolves around nitric oxide modulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission within brainstem vasomotor centers. The functional consequence of neuronal nitric oxide in blood pressure regulation is, however, marked by an apparent conflict in the literature. On one hand, conscious animal studies using sympathetic blockade suggest a significant role for neuronal nitric oxide deficiency in the development of nitric-oxide-deficient hypertension, and on the other hand, there is evidence against such a role derived from 'knock-out' mice lacking nitric-oxide synthase 1, the major source of neuronal nitric oxide.

  6. Vasorelaxing Action of the Kynurenine Metabolite, Xanthurenic Acid: The Missing Link in Endotoxin-Induced Hypotension?

    PubMed

    Fazio, Francesco; Carrizzo, Albino; Lionetto, Luana; Damato, Antonio; Capocci, Luca; Ambrosio, Mariateresa; Battaglia, Giuseppe; Bruno, Valeria; Madonna, Michele; Simmaco, Maurizio; Nicoletti, Ferdinando; Vecchione, Carmine

    2017-01-01

    The kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism is activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines. L-kynurenine, an upstream metabolite of the pathway, acts as a putative endothelium-derived relaxing factor, and has been hypothesized to play a causative role in the pathophysiology of inflammation-induced hypotension. Here, we show that xanthurenic acid (XA), the transamination product of 3-hydroxykynurenine, is more efficacious than L-kynurenine in causing relaxation of a resistance artery, but fails to relax pre-contracted aortic rings. In the mesenteric artery, XA enhanced activating phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and the relaxing action of XA was abrogated by pharmacological inhibition of NOS and endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factor. Systemic injection of XA reduced blood pressure in mice, and serum levels of XA increased by several fold in response to a pulse with the endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS-induced hypotension in mice was prevented by pre-treatment with the kynurenine monooxygenase (KMO) inhibitor, Ro-618048, which lowered serum levels of XA but enhanced serum levels of L-kynurenine. UPF 648, another KMO inhibitor, could also abrogate LPS-induced hypotension. Our data identify XA as a novel vasoactive compound and suggest that formation of XA is a key event in the pathophysiology of inflammation-induced hypotension.

  7. Vasorelaxing Action of the Kynurenine Metabolite, Xanthurenic Acid: The Missing Link in Endotoxin-Induced Hypotension?

    PubMed Central

    Fazio, Francesco; Carrizzo, Albino; Lionetto, Luana; Damato, Antonio; Capocci, Luca; Ambrosio, Mariateresa; Battaglia, Giuseppe; Bruno, Valeria; Madonna, Michele; Simmaco, Maurizio; Nicoletti, Ferdinando; Vecchione, Carmine

    2017-01-01

    The kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism is activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines. L-kynurenine, an upstream metabolite of the pathway, acts as a putative endothelium-derived relaxing factor, and has been hypothesized to play a causative role in the pathophysiology of inflammation-induced hypotension. Here, we show that xanthurenic acid (XA), the transamination product of 3-hydroxykynurenine, is more efficacious than L-kynurenine in causing relaxation of a resistance artery, but fails to relax pre-contracted aortic rings. In the mesenteric artery, XA enhanced activating phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and the relaxing action of XA was abrogated by pharmacological inhibition of NOS and endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factor. Systemic injection of XA reduced blood pressure in mice, and serum levels of XA increased by several fold in response to a pulse with the endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS-induced hypotension in mice was prevented by pre-treatment with the kynurenine monooxygenase (KMO) inhibitor, Ro-618048, which lowered serum levels of XA but enhanced serum levels of L-kynurenine. UPF 648, another KMO inhibitor, could also abrogate LPS-induced hypotension. Our data identify XA as a novel vasoactive compound and suggest that formation of XA is a key event in the pathophysiology of inflammation-induced hypotension. PMID:28507519

  8. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase mediates insulin- and oxidative stress-induced glucose uptake in skeletal muscle myotubes.

    PubMed

    Kellogg, Dean L; McCammon, Karen M; Hinchee-Rodriguez, Kathryn S; Adamo, Martin L; Roman, Linda J

    2017-09-01

    Previously published studies strongly suggested that insulin- and exercise-induced skeletal muscle glucose uptake require nitric oxide (NO) production. However, the signal transduction mechanisms by which insulin and contraction regulated NO production and subsequent glucose transport are not known. In the present study, we utilized the myotube cell lines treated with insulin or hydrogen peroxide, the latter to mimic contraction-induced oxidative stress, to characterize these mechanisms. We found that insulin stimulation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) phosphorylation, NO production, and GLUT4 translocation were all significantly reduced by inhibition of either nNOS or Akt2. Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) induced phosphorylation of nNOS at the same residue as did insulin, and also stimulated NO production and GLUT4 translocation. nNOS inhibition prevented H 2 O 2 -induced GLUT4 translocation. AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibition prevented H 2 O 2 activation and phosphorylation of nNOS, leading to reduced NO production and significantly attenuated GLUT4 translocation. We conclude that nNOS phosphorylation and subsequently increased NO production are required for both insulin- and H 2 O 2 -stimulated glucose transport. Although the two stimuli result in phosphorylation of the same residue on nNOS, they do so through distinct protein kinases. Thus, insulin and H 2 O 2 -activated signaling pathways converge on nNOS, which is a common mediator of glucose uptake in both pathways. However, the fact that different kinases are utilized provides a basis for the use of exercise to activate glucose transport in the face of insulin resistance. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  9. Prevention of Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis in Rats by Benfotiamine, a Lipophilic Analogue of Vitamin B1

    PubMed Central

    Yadav, Umesh C. S.; Subramanyam, Sumitra; Ramana, Kota V.

    2009-01-01

    Purpose To study the amelioration of ocular inflammation in endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rats by benfotiamine, a lipid-soluble analogue of thiamine. Methods EIU in Lewis rats was induced by subcutaneous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) followed by treatment with benfotiamine. The rats were killed 3 or 24 hours after LPS injection, eyes were enucleated, aqueous humor (AqH) was collected, and the number of infiltrating cells, protein concentration, and inflammatory marker levels were determined. Immunohistochemical analysis of eye sections was performed to determine the expression of inducible–nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (Cox)-2, protein kinase C (PKC), and transcription factor NF-κB. Results Infiltrating leukocytes, protein concentrations, and inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were significantly elevated in the AqH of EIU rats compared with control rats, and benfotiamine treatment suppressed these increases. Similarly increased expression of inflammatory markers iNOS and Cox-2 in ciliary body and retinal wall was also significantly inhibited by benfotiamine. The increased phosphorylation of PKC and the activation of NF-κB in the ciliary body and in the retinal wall of EIU rat eyes were suppressed by benfotiamine. Conclusions These results suggest that benfotiamine suppresses oxidative stress–induced NF-κB– dependent inflammatory signaling leading to uveitis. Therefore, benfotiamine could be used as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of ocular inflammation, especially uveitis. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. PMID:19136698

  10. Nitric-oxide synthase trafficking inducer is a pleiotropic regulator of endothelial cell function and signaling

    PubMed Central

    2017-01-01

    Endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) and its bioactive product, nitric oxide (NO), mediate many endothelial cell functions, including angiogenesis and vascular permeability. For example, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated angiogenesis is inhibited upon reduction of NO bioactivity both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, genetic disruption or pharmacological inhibition of eNOS attenuates angiogenesis during tissue repair, resulting in delayed wound closure. These observations emphasize that eNOS-derived NO can promote angiogenesis. Intriguingly, eNOS activity is regulated by nitric-oxide synthase trafficking inducer (NOSTRIN), which sequesters eNOS, thereby attenuating NO production. This has prompted significant interest in NOSTRIN's function in endothelial cells. We show here that NOSTRIN affects the functional transcriptome of endothelial cells by down-regulating several genes important for invasion and angiogenesis. Interestingly, the effects of NOSTRIN on endothelial gene expression were independent of eNOS activity. NOSTRIN also affected the expression of secreted cytokines involved in inflammatory responses, and ectopic NOSTRIN overexpression functionally restricted endothelial cell proliferation, invasion, adhesion, and VEGF-induced capillary tube formation. Furthermore, NOSTRIN interacted directly with TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), leading to the suppression of NFκB activity and inhibition of AKT activation via phosphorylation. Interestingly, TNF-α-induced NFκB pathway activation was reversed by NOSTRIN. We found that the SH3 domain of NOSTRIN is involved in the NOSTRIN-TRAF6 interaction and is required for NOSTRIN-induced down-regulation of endothelial cell proteins. These results have broad biological implications, as aberrant NOSTRIN expression leading to deactivation of the NFκB pathway, in turn triggering an anti-angiogenic cascade, might inhibit tumorigenesis and cancer progression. PMID:28235804

  11. Anti-inflammatory effect of lycopene on endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats.

    PubMed

    Göncü, Tuğba; Oğuz, Elif; Sezen, Hatice; Koçarslan, Sezen; Oğuz, Halit; Akal, Ali; Adıbelli, Fatih Mehmet; Çakmak, Sevim; Aksoy, Nurten

    2016-01-01

    We evaluated the efficacy of lycopene, a dietary carotenoid and potent antioxidant, against ocular inflammation and oxidative stress in an experimental uveitis model. Endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by a single subcutaneous injection of 200 μg lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Induction of EIU was preceded by daily intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg lycopene for three consecutive days (Lycopene + LPS group) or equivolume vehicle (Vehicle + LPS group). A positive control group received 1 mg/kg dexamethasone pretreatment (DEX + LPS), and a negative control group received daily vehicle injection but no LPS (Vehicle Control). Twenty-four hours after LPS or final vehicle administration, eyes were enucleated, and aqueous humor was collected for measurement of the number of infiltrating cells, total protein concentration, and levels of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and oxidative stress markers. Inflammatory response severity was compared among groups clinically and histopathologically. Infiltrating cell number, total protein concentration, and NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels were significantly elevated in the aqueous humor of Vehicle + LPS group rats compared to Vehicle Controls. Compared to the Vehicle + LPS group, lycopene pretreatment significantly reduced aqueous humor concentrations of oxidative stress markers, NO (0.29 ± 0.1 μM vs. 0.19 ± 0.1 μM, p=0.003), TNF-α (71.0 ± 22.3 ng/ml vs. 50.1 ± 2.1 ng/ml, p=0.043), and IL-6 (121.6 ± 3.0 pg/ml vs. 111.1 ± 5.6 pg/ml, p=0.008). Inflammatory score was also reduced (2.0 ± 0.0 vs. 0.4 ± 0.5, p=0.001). Lycopene reduced the infiltrating cell count and protein concentration, but differences did not reach significance. Most lycopene effects were equivalent to dexamethasone. Lycopene may aid in the clinical management of uveitis by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress.

  12. TNF-α dependent production of inducible nitric oxide is involved in PGE1 protection against acute liver injury

    PubMed Central

    Muntane, J; Rodriguez, F; Segado, O; Quintero, A; Lozano, J; Siendones, E; Pedraza, C; Delgado, M; O'Valle, F; Garcia, R; Montero, J; De la Mata, M; Mino, G

    2000-01-01

    BACKGROUND—Tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide modulate damage in several experimental models of liver injury. We have previously shown that protection against D-galactosamine (D-GalN) induced liver injury by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) was accompanied by an increase in TNF-α and nitrite/nitrate in serum.
AIMS—The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of TNF-α and nitric oxide during protection by PGE1 of liver damage induced by D-GalN.
METHODS—Liver injury was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of 1 g/kg of D-GalN. PGE1 was administered 30 minutes before D-GalN. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was inhibited by methylisothiourea (MT), and TNF-α concentration in serum was lowered by administration of anti-TNF-α antibodies. Liver injury was evaluated by alanine aminotransferase activity in serum, and histological examination and DNA fragmentation in liver. TNF-α and nitrite/nitrate concentrations were determined in serum. Expression of TNF-α and iNOS was also assessed in liver sections.
RESULTS—PGE1 decreased liver injury and increased TNF-α and nitrite/nitrate concentrations in serum of rats treated with D-GalN. PGE1 protection was related to enhanced expression of TNF-α and iNOS in hepatocytes. Administration of anti-TNF-α antibodies or MT blocked the protection by PGE1 of liver injury induced by D-GalN.
CONCLUSIONS—This study suggests that prior administration of PGE1 to D-GalN treated animals enhanced expression of TNF-α and iNOS in hepatocytes, and that this was causally related to protection by PGE1 against D-GalN induced liver injury.


Keywords: tumour necrosis factor α; nitric oxide; prostaglandin E1; methylisothiourea; D-galactosamine; liver injury PMID:10986217

  13. Methamphetamine- and 1-methyl-4-phenyl- 1,2,3, 6-tetrahydropyridine-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity in inducible nitric oxide synthase-deficient mice.

    PubMed

    Itzhak, Y; Martin, J L; Ali, S F

    1999-12-15

    Previous studies have suggested a role for the retrograde messenger, nitric oxide (NO), in methamphetamine (METH)- and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)- induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity. Since evidence supported the involvement of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) isoform in the dopaminergic neurotoxicity, the present study was undertaken to investigate whether the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) isoform is also associated with METH- and MPTP-induced neurotoxicity. The administration of METH (5mg/kg x 3) to iNOS deficient mice [homozygote iNOS(-/-)] and wild type mice (C57BL/6) resulted in significantly smaller depletion of striatal dopaminergic markers in the iNOS(-/-) mice compared with the wild-type mice. METH-induced hyperthermia was also significantly lower in the iNOS(-/-) mice than in wild-type mice. In contrast to the outcome of METH administration, MPTP injections (20 mg/kg x 3) resulted in a similar decrease in striatal dopaminergic markers in iNOS(-/-) and wild-type mice. In the set of behavioral experiments, METH-induced locomotor sensitization was investigated. The acute administration of METH (1.0 mg/kg) resulted in the same intensity of locomotor activity in iNOS(-/-) and wild-type mice. Moreover, 68 to 72 h after the exposure to the high-dose METH regimen (5 mg/kg x 3), a marked sensitized response to a challenge injection of METH (1.0 mg/kg) was observed in both the iNOS(-/-) and wild-type mice. The finding that iNOS(-/-) mice were unprotected from MPTP-induced neurotoxicity suggests that the partial protection against METH-induced neurotoxicity observed was primarily associated with the diminished hyperthermic effect of METH seen in the iNOS(-/-) mice. Moreover, in contrast to nNOS deficiency, iNOS deficiency did not affect METH-induced behavioral sensitization. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  14. Inducible nitric oxide synthase and vascular injury.

    PubMed

    Kibbe, M; Billiar, T; Tzeng, E

    1999-08-15

    The role nitric oxide (NO) plays in the cardiovascular system is complex and diverse. Even more controversial is the role that the inducible NO synthase enzyme (iNOS) serves in mediating different aspects of cardiovascular pathophysiology. Following arterial injury, NO has been shown to serve many vasoprotective roles, including inhibition of platelet aggregation and adherence to the site of injury, inhibition of leukocyte adherence, inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration, and stimulation of endothelial cell (EC) growth. These properties function together to preserve a normal vascular environment following injury. In this review, we discuss what is known about the involvement of iNOS in the vascular injury response. Additionally, we discuss the beneficial role of iNOS gene transfer to the vasculature in preventing the development of neointimal thickening. Lastly, the pathophysiology of transplant vasculopathy is discussed as well as the role of iNOS in this setting.

  15. Nitric oxide functions as a signal in plant disease resistance.

    PubMed

    Delledonne, M; Xia, Y; Dixon, R A; Lamb, C

    1998-08-06

    Recognition of an avirulent pathogen triggers the rapid production of the reactive oxygen intermediates superoxide (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This oxidative burst drives crosslinking of the cell wall, induces several plant genes involved in cellular protection and defence, and is necessary for the initiation of host cell death in the hypersensitive disease-resistance response. However, this burst is not enough to support a strong disease-resistance response. Here we show that nitric oxide, which acts as a signal in the immune, nervous and vascular systems, potentiates the induction of hypersensitive cell death in soybean cells by reactive oxygen intermediates and functions independently of such intermediates to induce genes for the synthesis of protective natural products. Moreover, inhibitors of nitric oxide synthesis compromise the hypersensitive disease-resistance response of Arabidopsis leaves to Pseudomonas syringae, promoting disease and bacterial growth. We conclude that nitric oxide plays a key role in disease resistance in plants.

  16. Corn silk induces nitric oxide synthase in murine macrophages.

    PubMed

    Kim, Kyung A; Choi, Sang Kyu; Choi, Hye Seon

    2004-12-31

    Corn silk has been purified as an anticoagulant previously and the active component is a polysaccharide with a molecular mass of 135 kDa. It activates murine macrophages to induce nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and generate substantial amounts of NO in time and dose-dependent manners. It was detectable first at 15 h after stimulation by corn silk, peaked at 24 h, and undetectable by 48 h. Induction of NOS is inhibited by pyrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) and genistein, an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) and tyrosine kinase, respectively, indicating that iNOS stimulated by corn silk is associated with tyrosine kinase and NF-kappaB signaling pathways. IkappaB-alpha degradation was detectible at 10 min, and the level was restored at 120 min after treatment of corn silk. Corn silk induced nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB by phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaB-alpha.

  17. The effect of acute aripiprazole treatment on chemically and electrically induced seizures in mice: The role of nitric oxide.

    PubMed

    Shafaroodi, Hamed; Oveisi, Simin; Hosseini, Mahsa; Niknahad, Hossein; Moezi, Leila

    2015-07-01

    Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic drug which acts through dopamine and serotonin receptors. Aripiprazole was noted to have antiseizure effects in a study on mice, while it induced seizures in a few human case reports. Dopaminergic and serotonergic systems relate to nitric oxide, and aripiprazole also has effects on dopamine and serotonin receptors. This study investigated the effects of aripiprazole on seizures and the potential role of nitric oxide in the process. The following three models were examined to explore the role of aripiprazole on seizures in mice: 1 - pentylenetetrazole administered intravenously, 2 - pentylenetetrazole administered intraperitoneally, and 3 - electroshock. Aripiprazole administration delayed clonic seizure in intravenous and intraperitoneal pentylenetetrazole models. In the electroshock-induced seizure model, tonic seizure and mortality protection percent were increased after aripiprazole administration. In intraperitoneal administration of pentylenetetrazole, aripiprazole effects on clonic seizure latency were significantly decreased when l-NAME - a nonselective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole - a selective neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibitor, or aminoguanidine - a selective inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitor was injected before aripiprazole administration. In the intravenous pentylenetetrazole method, administration of l-NAME or aminoguanidine inhibited aripiprazole effects on clonic seizure threshold. Aminoguanidine or l-NAME administration decreased aripiprazole-induced protection against tonic seizures and death in the electroshock model. In both intravenous and intraperitoneal seizure models, aripiprazole and l-arginine coadministration delayed the onset of clonic seizures. Moreover, it increased protection against tonic seizures and death in intraperitoneal pentylenetetrazole and electroshock models. In conclusion, the release of nitric oxide via iNOS or nNOS may be involved in anticonvulsant properties of

  18. Differential suppression of glial nitric oxide synthase induction by structurally related tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Galea, E; Reddi, J; Feinstein, D L

    1995-11-24

    Incubation of C6 astrocytoma cells with bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) plus interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), or with a combination of cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL1-beta, and IFN-gamma) leads to high levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Previous results demonstrated a requirement for tyrosine kinase (TK) activities for iNOS induction. In the present study, a set of structurally related TK inhibitors, the tyrphostins (TYRs), were used to characterize possible differences between LPS and cytokine iNOS induction. All TYRs tested suppressed both types of induction. However, dose-response curves revealed significant differences in the IC50 values obtained for some TYRs (T25 and T56), and significant differences in the IC50 potency rank order when comparing inhibition of LPS versus cytokine-dependent iNOS induction. These results are consistent with differential TK utilization by the LPS versus cytokine pathways of iNOS induction, and establish a basis for developing further selective inhibitors of iNOS expression.

  19. Nitric oxide regulates stretch-induced proliferation in C2C12 myoblasts.

    PubMed

    Soltow, Quinlyn A; Lira, Vitor A; Betters, Jenna L; Long, Jodi H D; Sellman, Jeff E; Zeanah, Elizabeth H; Criswell, David S

    2010-09-01

    Mechanical stretch of skeletal muscle activates nitric oxide (NO) production and is an important stimulator of satellite cell proliferation. Further, cyclooxygenase (COX) activity has been shown to promote satellite cell proliferation in response to stretch. Since COX-2 expression in skeletal muscle can be regulated by NO we sought to determine if NO is required for stretch-induced myoblast proliferation and whether supplemental NO can counter the effects of COX-2 and NF-kappaB inhibitors. C2C12 myoblasts were cultured for 24 h, then switched to medium containing either the NOS inhibitor, L-NAME (200 microM), the COX-2 specific inhibitor NS-398 (100 microM), the NF-kappaB inhibiting antioxidant, PDTC (5 mM), the nitric oxide donor, DETA-NONOate (10-100 microM) or no supplement (control) for 24 h. Subgroups of each treatment were exposed to 1 h of 15% cyclic stretch (1 Hz), and were then allowed to proliferate for 24 h before fixing. Proliferation was measured by BrdU incorporation during the last hour before fixing, and DAPI stain. Stretch induced a twofold increase in nuclear number compared to control, and this effect was completely inhibited by L-NAME, NS-398 or PDTC (P < 0.05). Although DETA-NONOate (10 microM) did not affect basal proliferation, the NO-donor augmented the stretch-induced increase in proliferation and rescued stretch-induced proliferation in NS-398-treated cells, but not in PDTC-treated cells. In conclusion, NO, COX-2, and NF-kappaB are necessary for stretch-induced proliferation of myoblasts. Although COX-2 and NF-kappaB are both involved in basal proliferation, NO does not affect basal growth. Thus, NO requires the synergistic effect of stretch in order to induce muscle cell proliferation.

  20. Statins and nitric oxide donors affect thrombospondin 1-induced chemotaxis.

    PubMed

    Seymour, Keri; Stein, Jeffrey; Han, Xuan; Maier, Kristopher G; Gahtan, Vivian

    2014-01-01

    Thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1) induces vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and intimal hyperplasia. Statins and nitric oxide (NO) donors decrease intimal hyperplasia. We previously showed that statins (long-term exposure) and NO donors inhibit TSP-1-induced VSMC chemotaxis. (1) Pretreatment with short-term statin will inhibit TSP-1-induced VSMC chemotaxis and (2) NO donors will enhance statin inhibition of TSP-1-induced or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced VSMC chemotaxis. We examined these treatment effects on TSP-1-induced VSMC chemotaxis: (1) long-term (20 hours) versus short-term (20 minutes) pravastatin, (2) diethylenetriamine NONOate (DETA/NO) or S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) in combination with pravastatin, and (3) comparison of TSP-1 to PDGF as a chemoattractant. Pravastatin (long term or short term) inhibited TSP-1-induced chemotaxis. Diethylenetriamine NONOate and SNAP impeded statin inhibition of TSP-1-induced chemotaxis. Platelet-derived growth factor and TSP-1 had opposite effects on DETA/NO-pravastatin treatment. Short-term statin pretreatment inhibited TSP-1-induced VSMC chemotaxis, suggesting a pleiotropic effect. High-dose NO reversed statin inhibition of TSP-1-induced chemotaxis, suggesting NO and statin combination therapies warrant further study. © The Author(s) 2014.

  1. Involvement of Nitric Oxide in a Rat Model of Carrageenin-Induced Pleurisy

    PubMed Central

    Iwata, Masahiro; Suzuki, Shigeyuki; Asai, Yuji; Inoue, Takayuki; Takagi, Kenji

    2010-01-01

    Some evidence indicates that nitric oxide (NO) contributes to inflammation, while other evidence supports the opposite conclusion. To clarify the role of NO in inflammation, we studied carrageenin-induced pleurisy in rats treated with an NO donor (NOC-18), a substrate for NO formation (L-arginine), and/or an NO synthase inhibitor (S-(2-aminoethyl) isothiourea or NG-nitro-L-arginine). We assessed inflammatory cell migration, nitrite/nitrate values, lipid peroxidation and pro-inflammatory mediators. NOC-18 and L-arginine reduced the migration of inflammatory cells and edema, lowered oxidative stress, and normalized antioxidant enzyme activities. NO synthase inhibitors increased the exudate formation and inflammatory cell number, contributed to oxidative stress, induced an oxidant/antioxidant imbalance by maintaining high O2 −, and enhanced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. L-arginine and NOC-18 reversed the proinflammatory effects of NO synthase inhibitors, perhaps by reducing the expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells. Thus, our results indicate that NO is involved in blunting—not enhancing—the inflammatory response. PMID:20592757

  2. Photodynamic therapy-induced nitric oxide production in neuronal and glial cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kovaleva, Vera D.; Uzdensky, Anatoly B.

    2016-10-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) has been recently demonstrated to enhance apoptosis of glial cells induced by photodynamic therapy (PDT), but to protect glial cells from PDT-induced necrosis in the crayfish stretch receptor, a simple neuroglial preparation that consists of a single mechanosensory neuron enveloped by satellite glial cells. We used the NO-sensitive fluorescent probe 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate to study the distribution and dynamics of PDT-induced NO production in the mechanosensory neuron and surrounding glial cells. The NO production in the glial envelope was higher than in the neuronal soma axon and dendrites both in control and in experimental conditions. In dark NO generator, DEA NONOate or NO synthase substrate L-arginine hydrochloride significantly increased the NO level in glial cells, whereas NO scavenger 2-Phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide (PTIO) or inhibitors of NO synthase L-NG-nitro arginine methyl ester and Nω-nitro-L-arginine decreased it. PDT induced the transient increase in NO production with a maximum at 4 to 7 min after the irradiation start followed by its inhibition at 10 to 40 min. We suggested that PDT stimulated neuronal rather than inducible NO synthase isoform in glial cells, and the produced NO could mediate PDT-induced apoptosis.

  3. Chamomile: an anti-inflammatory agent inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase expression by blocking RelA/p65 activity.

    PubMed

    Bhaskaran, Natarajan; Shukla, Sanjeev; Srivastava, Janmejai K; Gupta, Sanjay

    2010-12-01

    Chamomile has long been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammation-related disorders. In this study we investigated the inhibitory effects of chamomile on nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, and explored its potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms using RAW 264.7 macrophages. Chamomile treatment inhibited LPS-induced NO production and significantly blocked IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα-induced NO levels in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Chamomile caused reduction in LPS-induced iNOS mRNA and protein expression. In RAW 264.7 macrophages, LPS-induced DNA binding activity of RelA/p65 was significantly inhibited by chamomile, an effect that was mediated through the inhibition of IKKβ, the upstream kinase regulating NF-κB/Rel activity, and degradation of inhibitory factor-κB. These results demonstrate that chamomile inhibits NO production and iNOS gene expression by inhibiting RelA/p65 activation and supports the utilization of chamomile as an effective anti-inflammatory agent.

  4. Nitric oxide-mediated blood flow regulation as affected by smoking and nicotine.

    PubMed

    Toda, Noboru; Toda, Hiroshi

    2010-12-15

    Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, cerebral and coronary vascular diseases, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Chronic smoking impairs endothelial function by decreasing the formation of nitric oxide and increasing the degradation of nitric oxide via generation of oxygen free radicals. Nitric oxide liberated from efferent nitrergic nerves is also involved in vasodilatation, increased regional blood flow, and hypotension that are impaired through nitric oxide sequestering by smoking-induced factors. Influence of smoking on nitric oxide-induced blood flow regulation is not necessarily the same in all organs and tissues. However, human studies are limited mainly to the forearm blood flow measurement that assesses endothelial function under basal and stimulated conditions and also determination of penile tumescence and erection in response to endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide. Therefore, information about blood flow regulation in other organs, such as the brain and placenta, has been provided mainly from studies on experimental animals. Nicotine, a major constituent of cigarette smoke, acutely dilates cerebral arteries and arterioles through nitric oxide liberated from nitrergic neurons, but chronically interferes with endothelial function in various vasculatures, both being noted in studies on experimental animals. Cigarette smoke constituents other than nicotine also have some vascular actions. Not only active but also passive smoking is undoubtedly harmful for both the smokers themselves and their neighbors, who should bear in mind that they can face serious diseases in the future, which may result in lengthy hospitalization, and a shortened lifespan. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. The Moraxella catarrhalis nitric oxide reductase is essential for nitric oxide detoxification.

    PubMed

    Wang, Wei; Kinkel, Traci; Martens-Habbena, Willm; Stahl, David A; Fang, Ferric C; Hansen, Eric J

    2011-06-01

    Moraxella catarrhalis is a Gram-negative obligate aerobe that is an important cause of human respiratory tract infections. The M. catarrhalis genome encodes a predicted truncated denitrification pathway that reduces nitrate to nitrous oxide. We have previously shown that expression of both the M. catarrhalis aniA (encoding a nitrite reductase) and norB (encoding a putative nitric oxide reductase) genes is repressed by the transcriptional regulator NsrR under aerobic conditions and that M. catarrhalis O35E nsrR mutants are unable to grow in the presence of low concentrations of nitrite (W. Wang, et al., J. Bacteriol. 190:7762-7772, 2008). In this study, we constructed an M. catarrhalis norB mutant and showed that planktonic growth of this mutant is inhibited by low levels of nitrite, whether or not an nsrR mutation is present. To determine the importance of NorB in this truncated denitrification pathway, we analyzed the metabolism of nitrogen oxides by norB, aniA norB, and nsrR norB mutants. We found that norB mutants are unable to reduce nitric oxide and produce little or no nitrous oxide from nitrite. Furthermore, nitric oxide produced from nitrite by the AniA protein is bactericidal for a Moraxella catarrhalis O35E norB mutant but not for wild-type O35E bacteria under aerobic growth conditions in vitro, suggesting that nitric oxide catabolism in M. catarrhalis is accomplished primarily by the norB gene product. Measurement of bacterial protein S-nitrosylation directly implicates nitrosative stress resulting from AniA-dependent nitric oxide formation as a cause of the growth inhibition of norB and nsrR mutants by nitrite.

  6. Stimulation of nitric oxide synthesis by the aqueous extract of Panax ginseng root in RAW 264.7 cells

    PubMed Central

    Friedl, Roswitha; Moeslinger, Thomas; Kopp, Brigitte; Spieckermann, Paul Gerhard

    2001-01-01

    In this study, we investigated the effect of Panax ginseng root aqueous extracts upon inducible nitric oxide synthesis in RAW 264.7 cells. Panax ginseng root extract has been used in the Asian world for centuries as a traditional herb to enhance physical strength and resistance and is becoming more and more popular in Europe and North America. Incubation of murine macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells) with increasing amounts of aqueous extracts of Panax ginseng (0.05 – 0.8 μg μl−1) showed a dose dependent stimulation of inducible nitric oxide synthesis. Polysaccharides isolated from Panax ginseng showed strong stimulation of inducible nitric oxide synthesis, whereas a triterpene-enriched fraction from an aqueous extract of Panax ginseng did not show any stimulation. Inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression was enhanced in a dose dependent manner as revealed by immunoblotting when cells were incubated with increasing amounts of Panax ginseng extract. This was associated with an incline in inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA-levels as determined by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction and electromobility shift assay studies indicated enhanced nuclear factor-κB DNA binding activity. As nitric oxide plays an important role in immune function, Panax ginseng treatment could modulate several aspects of host defense mechanisms due to stimulation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase. PMID:11739242

  7. Inducible nitric oxide synthase gene methylation and parkinsonism in manganese-exposed welders

    PubMed Central

    Nielsen, Susan Searles; Checkoway, Harvey; Criswell, Susan R.; Farin, Federico M.; Stapleton, Patricia L.; Sheppard, Lianne; Racette, Brad A.

    2015-01-01

    Introduction Neurologist-assessed parkinsonism signs are prevalent among workers exposed to manganese (Mn)-containing welding fume. Neuroinflammation may possibly play a role. Inducible nitric oxide synthase, coded by NOS2, is involved in inflammation, and particulate exposure increases the gene’s expression through methylation of CpG sites in the 5′ region. Methods We assessed DNA methylation at three CpG sites in the NOS2 exon 1 from blood from 201 welders. All were non-Hispanic Caucasian men 25–65 years old who were examined by a neurologist specializing in movement disorders. We categorized the workers according to their Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale motor subsection 3 (UPDRS3) scores as parkinsonism cases (UPDRS3 ≥ 15; n = 49), controls (UPDRS3 < 6; n = 103), or intermediate (UPDRS3 ≥6 to <15; n = 49). Results While accounting for age, examiner and experimental plate, parkinsonism cases had lower mean NOS2 methylation than controls (p-value for trend = 0.04), specifically at CpG site 8329 located in an exonic splicing enhancer of NOS2 (p-value for trend = 0.07). These associations were not observed for the intermediate UPDRS3 group (both p-value for trend ≥ 0.59). Conclusions Inflammation mediated by inducible nitric oxide synthase may possibly contribute to the association between welding fume and parkinsonism, but requires verification in a longitudinal study. PMID:25634431

  8. A sub-nanomolar real-time nitric oxide probe: in vivo nitric oxide release in heart.

    PubMed

    Mantione, Kirk J; Stefano, George B

    2004-04-01

    Amperometric nitric oxide probes are critical in evaluating real-time nitric oxide levels. This valuable tool enables one to measure spontaneous baseline levels of nitric oxide as well as 'puffs' of the gaseous signal molecule that may last for only seconds to minutes. However, in the past, many probes suffered from a lack of sensitivity, durability and reliability, causing investigators to design numerous controls to support their data. Our laboratory evaluated the new ISO-NOPF100 NO probe manufactured by World Precision Instruments of Sarasota, Florida. An invertebrate in vivo heart preparation was used, which presents a high degree of difficuly in obtaining nitric oxide measurements due to space limitations, resulting in physical contact of the probe with tissues. Additionally, we used in vitro invertebrate ganglionic preparations as a comparison since this tissue releases spontaneous and low levels of NO. Calibration of the new probe demonstrated high linearity and sensitivity. The detection limit for this new probe was determined to be approximately two times lower than probes previously used in our laboratory. Basal nitric oxide fluctuations in Mytilus edulis heart and excised ganglia were able to be resolved in the sub-nanomolar range. The ISO-NOPF100 NO probe represents a significant advancement for measuring nitric oxide in real-time.

  9. The ocular endothelin system: a novel target for the treatment of endotoxin-induced uveitis with bosentan.

    PubMed

    Keles, Sadullah; Halici, Zekai; Atmaca, Hasan Tarik; Yayla, Muhammed; Yildirim, Kenan; Ekinci, Metin; Akpinar, Erol; Altuner, Durdu; Cakici, Ozgur; Bayraktutan, Zafer

    2014-05-15

    We compared the anti-inflammatory effects of bosentan and dexamethasone in endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU). Endotoxin-induced uveitis was induced by subcutaneous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 200 μg) in Wistar rats. Rats were divided randomly into 10 groups (n = 6). Bosentan at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg were administered orally 1 hour before and 12 hours after LPS injection, and dexamethasone was administered by intraperitoneally 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after LPS injection at a dose of 1 mg/kg. Data were collected at two time points for each control and treatment; animals were killed at either 3 or 24 hours after LPS injection. Histopathologic evaluation and aqueous humour measurements of TNF-α level were performed, and endothelin-1 (ET-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and endothelin receptor A and B (EDNRA and B) expression were analyzed. The group treated with 100 mg/kg bosentan at 24 hours displayed significantly milder uveitis and fewer inflammatory cells compared to LPS-injected animals, and there were similar findings in the dexamethasone-treated group at 24 hours. The TNF-α levels in the dexamethasone treatment group were lower than those in the LPS-induced uveitis control group (P < 0.05); however, there was no difference between the dexamethasone and bosentan treatment groups at 3 and 24 hours after LPS administration. Bosentan treatment at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly decreased iNOS expression compared to LPS-injected animals (P < 0.001). The ET-1 expression was suppressed significantly by bosentan and dexamethasone at 3 and 24 hours after LPS administration (P < 0.001). The EDNRA expression in the bosentan treatment groups was statistically significantly lower than that in the LPS-induced uveitis control group at 3 and 24 hours after LPS administration (P < 0.05). Bosentan reduces intraocular inflammation and has similar effects as dexamethasone in a rat model of EIU. Copyright 2014 The Association for Research

  10. Enhanced nitric oxide generation from nitric oxide synthases as the cause of increased peroxynitrite formation during acute restraint stress: Effects on carotid responsiveness to angiotensinergic stimuli in type-1 diabetic rats.

    PubMed

    Moreira, Josimar D; Pernomian, Larissa; Gomes, Mayara S; Moreira, Rafael P; do Prado, Alejandro F; da Silva, Carlos H T P; de Oliveira, Ana M

    2016-07-15

    Diabetes mellitus is associated with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species accumulation. Behavioral stress increases nitric oxide production, which may trigger a massive impact on vascular cells and accelerate cardiovascular complications under oxidative stress conditions such as Diabetes. For this study, type-1 Diabetes mellitus was induced in Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. After 28 days, cumulative concentration-response curves for angiotensin II were obtained in endothelium-intact carotid rings from diabetic rats that underwent to acute restraint stress for 3h. The contractile response evoked by angiotensin II was increased in carotid arteries from diabetic rats. Acute restraint stress did not alter angiotensin II-induced contraction in carotid arteries from normoglycaemic rats. However acute stress combined with Diabetes increased angiotensin II-induced contraction in carotid rings. Western blot experiments and the inhibition of nitric oxide synthases in functional assays showed that neuronal, endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase isoforms contribute to the increased formation of peroxynitrite and contractile hyperreactivity to angiotensin II in carotid rings from stressed diabetic rats. In summary, these findings suggest that the increased superoxide anion generation in carotid arteries from diabetic rats associated to the increased local nitric oxide synthases expression and activity induced by acute restrain stress were responsible for exacerbating the local formation of peroxynitrite and the contraction induced by angiotensin II. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. The transport of nitric oxide in the upper atmosphere by planetary waves and the zonal mean circulation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jones, G. A.; Avery, S. K.

    1982-01-01

    A time-dependent numerical model was developed and used to study the interaction between planetary waves, the zonal mean circulation, and the trace constituent nitric oxide in the region between 55 km and 120 km. The factors which contribute to the structure of the nitric oxide distribution were examined, and the sensitivity of the distribution to changes in planetary wave amplitude was investigated. Wave-induced changes in the mean nitric oxide concentration were examined as a possible mechanism for the observed winter anomaly. Results indicate that vertically-propagating planetary waves induce a wave-like structure in the nitric oxide distribution and that at certain levels, transports of nitric oxide by planetary waves could significantly affect the mean nitric oxide distribution. The magnitude and direction of these transports at a given level was found to depend not only on the amplitude of the planetary wave, but also on the loss rate of nitric oxide at that level.

  12. Endothelium-derived relaxing factor (nitric oxide) has protective actions in the stomach

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    MacNaughton, W.K.; Wallace, J.L.; Cirino, G.

    1989-01-01

    The role that nitric oxide, an endothelium-derived relaxing factor, may play in the regulation of gastric mucosal defense was investigated by assessing the potential protective actions of this factor against the damage caused by ethanol in an ex vivo chamber preparation of the rat stomach. Topical application of glyceryl trinitrate and sodium nitroprusside, which have been shown to release nitric oxide, markedly reduced the area of 70% ethanol-induced hemorrhagic damage. Topical application of a 0.01% solution of authentic nitric oxide also significantly reduced the severity of mucosal damage. Pretreatment with indomethacin precluded the involvement of endogenous prostaglandins in the protectivemore » effects of these agents. The protective effects of NO were transient, since a delay of 5 minutes between NO administration and ethanal administration resulted in a complete loss of the protective activity. The protection against ethanol afforded by 10 ug/ml nitroprusside could be completely reversed by intravenous infusion of either 1% methylene blue or 1 mM hemoglobin, both of which inhibit vasodilation induced by nitric oxide. Intravenous infusion of 1% methylene blue significantly increased the susceptibility of the mucosa to damage induced by topical 20% ethanol.« less

  13. Effect of caffeine coadministration and of nitric oxide synthesis inhibition on the antinociceptive action of ketorolac.

    PubMed

    López-Muñoz, F J; Castañeda-Hernández, G; Flores-Murrieta, F J; Granados-Soto, V

    1996-07-25

    The effects of caffeine and nitric oxide synthesis inhibition on the antinociceptive action of ketorolac were assessed using the pain-induced functional impairment model in the rat. Nociception was induced by the intra-articular injection of uric acid. Ketorolac, but not caffeine, produced an antinociceptive effect which was reduced by NG nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis. Caffeine coadministration potentiated the ketorolac effect. L-NAME induced a dose-dependent reduction of this potentiation. The results suggest the participation of the L-arginine-nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway in the caffeine potentiation of ketorolac-induced antinociception.

  14. Endotoxin-Induced Structural Transformations in Liquid Crystalline Droplets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, I.-Hsin; Miller, Daniel S.; Bertics, Paul J.; Murphy, Christopher J.; de Pablo, Juan J.; Abbott, Nicholas L.

    2011-06-01

    The ordering of liquid crystals (LCs) is known to be influenced by surfaces and contaminants. Here, we report that picogram per milliliter concentrations of endotoxin in water trigger ordering transitions in micrometer-size LC droplets. The ordering transitions, which occur at surface concentrations of endotoxin that are less than 10-5 Langmuir, are not due to adsorbate-induced changes in the interfacial energy of the LC. The sensitivity of the LC to endotoxin was measured to change by six orders of magnitude with the geometry of the LC (droplet versus slab), supporting the hypothesis that interactions of endotoxin with topological defects in the LC mediate the response of the droplets. The LC ordering transitions depend strongly on glycophospholipid structure and provide new designs for responsive soft matter.

  15. Nitric oxide alleviates oxidative damage induced by enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation in cyanobacterium.

    PubMed

    Xue, Lingui; Li, Shiweng; Sheng, Hongmei; Feng, Huyuan; Xu, Shijian; An, Lizhe

    2007-10-01

    To study the role of nitric oxide (NO) on enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation (280-320 nm)-induced damage of Cyanobacterium, the growth, pigment content, and antioxidative activity of Spirulina platensis-794 cells were investigated under enhanced UV-B radiation and under different chemical treatments with or without UV-B radiation for 6 h. The changes in chlorophyll-a, malondialdehyde content, and biomass confirmed that 0.5 mM: sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a donor of nitric oxide (NO), could markedly alleviate the damage caused by enhanced UV-B. Specifically, the biomass and the chlorophyll-a content in S. platensis-794 cells decreased 40% and 42%, respectively under enhanced UV-B stress alone, but they only decreased 10% and 18% in the cells treated with UV-B irradiation and 0.5 mM: SNP. Further experiments suggested that NO treatment significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and decreased the accumulation of O (2)(-) in enhanced UV-B-irradiated cells. SOD and CAT activity increased 0.95- and 6.73-fold, respectively. The accumulation of reduced glutathione (GSH) increased during treatment with 0.5 mM: SNP in normal S. platensis cells, but SNP treatment could inhibit the increase of GSH in enhanced UV-B-stressed S. platensis cells. Thus, these results suggest that NO can strongly alleviate oxidative damage caused by UV-B stress by increasing the activities of SOD, peroxidase, CAT, and the accumulation of GSH, and by eliminating O (2)(-) in S. platensis-794 cells. In addition, the difference of NO origin between plants and cyanobacteria are discussed.

  16. Cholecystokinin-8-induced hypoplasia of the rat pancreas: influence of nitric oxide on cell proliferation and programmed cell death.

    PubMed

    Trulsson, Lena M; Gasslander, Thomas; Svanvik, Joar

    2004-10-01

    The background of cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8)-induced hypoplasia in the pancreas is not known. In order to increase our understanding we studied the roles of nitric oxide and NF-kappaB in rats. CCK-8 was injected for 4 days, in a mode known to cause hypoplasia, and the nitric oxide formation was either decreased by means of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) or increased by S-nitroso-N-acetylpencillamine (SNAP). The activation of NF-kappaB was quantified by ELISA detection, apoptosis with caspase-3 and histone-associated DNA-fragmentation and mitotic activity in the acinar, centroacinar and ductal cells were visualized by the incorporation of [(3)H]-thymidine. Pancreatic histology and weight as well as protein- and DNA contents were also studied. Intermittent CCK injections reduced pancreatic weight, protein and DNA contents and increased apoptosis, acinar cell proliferation and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation. It also caused vacuolisation of acinar cells. The inhibition of endogenous nitric oxide formation by L-NNA further increased apoptosis and NF-kappaB activation but blocked the increased proliferation and vacuolisation of acinar cells. The DNA content was not further reduced. SNAP given together with CCK-8 increased apoptosis and other pathways of cell death, raised proliferation of acinar cells and strongly reduced the DNA content in the pancreas. Histological examination showed no inflammation in any group. We conclude that during CCK-8-induced pancreatic hypoplasia, endogenously formed nitric oxide suppresses apoptosis but increases cell death along non-apoptotic pathways and stimulates regeneration of acinar cells. Exogenous nitric oxide enhances the acinar cell turnover by increasing both apoptotic and non-apoptotic cell death and cell renewal. In this situation NF-kappaB activation seems not to inhibit apoptosis nor promote cell proliferation.

  17. Nitric oxide protects anterior pituitary cells from cadmium-induced apoptosis.

    PubMed

    Poliandri, Ariel H B; Velardez, Miguel O; Cabilla, Jimena P; Bodo, Cristian C A; Machiavelli, Leticia I; Quinteros, Alnilan F; Duvilanski, Beatriz H

    2004-11-01

    Cadmium (Cd2+) is a potent toxic metal for both plants and animals. Chronic exposure to low doses of Cd2+ results in damage to several organs. We have previously reported that Cd2+ induces apoptosis in anterior pituitary cells by a caspase- and oxidative stress-dependent mechanism. Nitric oxide (NO) synthesis is affected by Cd2+ in several systems. NO has been shown to be either cytoprotective or cytotoxic in many systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible participation of NO in the cytotoxic effect of Cd2+ on rat anterior pituitary cells. Cell viability was evaluated by mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity assay and confirmed by microscopy, studying nuclear morphology. Here we show that DETA NONOate ((Z)-1-[2 (2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl)amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate), a long-term NO donor, at concentrations below 0.5 mM, reduces nuclear condensation and fragmentation and reverses the decrease in cellular activity induced by Cd2+. Cd2+, by itself, induced NO synthesis, and inhibition of this synthesis enhanced Cd2+ cytotoxicity. NO also prevented caspase-3 activation and lipidic peroxidation induced by Cd2+. The NO/cGMP pathway does not seem to be involved in the cytoprotective effect of NO. These results indicate that NO has a cytoprotective role in Cd2+ -induced apoptosis, suggesting that endogenous NO could have a physiological role in protecting anterior pituitary cells.

  18. Protective effect of aescin from the seeds of Aesculus hippocastanum on liver injury induced by endotoxin in mice.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Na; Xin, Wenyu; Wang, Tian; Zhang, Leiming; Fan, Huaying; Du, Yuan; Li, Chong; Fu, Fenghua

    2011-11-15

    To investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of aescin on acute liver injury induced by endotoxin, liver injury was established by injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. Animals were assigned to seven groups: the control group and groups treated with LPS (40 mg/kg), aescin (3.6 mg/kg), LPS plus dexamethasone (4 mg/kg) and LPS plus aescin (0.9, 1.8 or 3.6 mg/kg). Hepatic histopathological changes were examined under a light microscope. Activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum were determined. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), nitric oxide (NO) and antioxidative parameters in liver homogenate were measured. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR), 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) and 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) expressions in liver were determined by western blotting. Treatment with escin could inhibit immigration of inflammatory cells, alleviate the degree of necrosis, and decrease serum ALT and AST activities. Aescin also down-regulated levels of inflammation mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β and NO) and 11β-HSD2 expression in liver, up-regulated GR expression, enhanced endogenous antioxidative capacity, but have no obvious effect on 11β-HSD1 expression in liver. The findings suggest aescin has protective effects on endotoxin-induced liver injury, and the underlying mechanisms were associated with its anti-inflammatory effects, up-regulating GR expression, down-regulating 11β-HSD2 experssion, and antixoidation. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  19. Role of nitric oxide in progression and regression of atherosclerosis.

    PubMed Central

    Cooke, J P

    1996-01-01

    Endothelium-derived nitric oxide is a potent endogenous vasodilator that is derived from the metabolism of L-arginine. This endothelial factor inhibits circulating blood elements from interacting with the vessel wall. Platelet adherence and aggregation as well as monocyte adherence and infiltration are opposed by this paracrine substance. By virtue of these characteristics, endothelium-derived nitric oxide inhibits atherogenesis in animal models and may even induce regression. Images Figure 1. PMID:8686299

  20. Silibinin treatment prevents endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats in vivo and in vitro.

    PubMed

    Chen, Ching-Long; Chen, Jiann-Torng; Liang, Chang-Min; Tai, Ming-Cheng; Lu, Da-Wen; Chen, Yi-Hao

    2017-01-01

    Uveitis, an intraocular inflammatory disease, occurs mostly in young people and can result in the loss of socioeconomic capabilities. Silibinin has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of silibinin pretreatment on endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rats and the mechanisms by which it exerts these effects. Uveitis was induced via injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) into Lewis rats. Twenty-four hours after the LPS injection, histological examination showed that silibinin decreased inflammatory cell infiltration in the anterior segment of the eyes of LPS-treated rats. Analyses of the aqueous humor showed that silibinin decreased cell infiltration, protein concentration, nitric oxide (NO), and prostaglandin (PG)-E2 production. Western blot analysis indicated that silibinin decreased the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX-2), and phosphorylated IkB in the iris-ciliary body (ICB). Immunohistochemistry showed that silibinin decreased intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) expression in the ICB. In addition, western blot analysis showed that silibinin attenuated the expression of iNOS, COX-2, ICAM-1, and nuclear p65 in LPS-treated RAW cells. In conclusion, silibinin pretreatment prevents EIU and the subsequent production of proinflammatory mediators and ICAM-1, at least in part, by blocking the NF-κB-dependent signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro. These effects may contribute to the silibinin-mediated preventive effects on intraocular inflammatory diseases such as acute uveitis.

  1. Silibinin treatment prevents endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats in vivo and in vitro

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Ching-Long; Chen, Jiann-Torng; Liang, Chang-Min; Tai, Ming-Cheng; Lu, Da-Wen; Chen, Yi-Hao

    2017-01-01

    Uveitis, an intraocular inflammatory disease, occurs mostly in young people and can result in the loss of socioeconomic capabilities. Silibinin has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of silibinin pretreatment on endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rats and the mechanisms by which it exerts these effects. Uveitis was induced via injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) into Lewis rats. Twenty-four hours after the LPS injection, histological examination showed that silibinin decreased inflammatory cell infiltration in the anterior segment of the eyes of LPS-treated rats. Analyses of the aqueous humor showed that silibinin decreased cell infiltration, protein concentration, nitric oxide (NO), and prostaglandin (PG)-E2 production. Western blot analysis indicated that silibinin decreased the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX-2), and phosphorylated IkB in the iris-ciliary body (ICB). Immunohistochemistry showed that silibinin decreased intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) expression in the ICB. In addition, western blot analysis showed that silibinin attenuated the expression of iNOS, COX-2, ICAM-1, and nuclear p65 in LPS-treated RAW cells. In conclusion, silibinin pretreatment prevents EIU and the subsequent production of proinflammatory mediators and ICAM-1, at least in part, by blocking the NF-κB–dependent signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro. These effects may contribute to the silibinin-mediated preventive effects on intraocular inflammatory diseases such as acute uveitis. PMID:28376126

  2. Nitric Oxide Homeostasis in Neurodegenerative Diseases.

    PubMed

    Hannibal, Luciana

    2016-01-01

    The role of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis and progression of neurodegenerative illnesses such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases has become prominent over the years. Increased activity of the enzymes that produce reactive oxygen species, decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes and imbalances in glutathione pools mediate and mark the neurodegenerative process. Much of the oxidative damage of proteins is brought about by the overproduction of nitric oxide by nitric oxide synthases (NOS) and its subsequent reactivity with reactive oxygen species. Proteomic methods have advanced the field tremendously, by facilitating the quantitative assessment of differential expression patterns and oxidative modifications of proteins and alongside, mapping their non-canonical functions. As a signaling molecule involved in multiple biochemical pathways, the level of nitric oxide is subject to tight regulation. All three NOS isoforms display aberrant patterns of expression in Alzheimer's disease, altering intracellular signaling and routing oxidative stress in directions that are uncompounded. This review discusses the prime factors that control nitric oxide biosynthesis, reactivity footprints and ensuing effects in the development of neurodegenerative diseases.

  3. Endotoxin-Induced Endothelial Fibrosis Is Dependent on Expression of Transforming Growth Factors β1 and β2

    PubMed Central

    Echeverría, César; Montorfano, Ignacio; Tapia, Pablo; Riedel, Claudia; Cabello-Verrugio, Claudio

    2014-01-01

    During endotoxemia-induced inflammatory disease, bacterial endotoxins circulate in the bloodstream and interact with endothelial cells (ECs), inducing dysfunction of the ECs. We previously reported that endotoxins induce the conversion of ECs into activated fibroblasts. Through endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis, ECs change their morphology and their protein expression pattern, thereby suppressing endothelial markers and upregulating fibrotic proteins. The most commonly used fibrotic inducers are transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and TGF-β2. However, whether TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 participate in endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis remains unknown. We have shown that the endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis process is dependent on the TGF-β receptor, ALK5, and the activation of Smad3, a protein that is activated by ALK5 activation, thus suggesting that endotoxin elicits TGF-β production to mediate endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis. Therefore, we investigated the dependence of endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis on the expression of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2. Endotoxin-treated ECs induced the expression and secretion of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2. TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 downregulation inhibited the endotoxin-induced changes in the endothelial marker VE-cadherin and in the fibrotic proteins α-SMA and fibronectin. Thus, endotoxin induces the production of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 as a mechanism to promote endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing that endotoxin induces endothelial fibrosis via TGF-β secretion, which represents an emerging source of vascular dysfunction. These findings contribute to understanding the molecular mechanism of endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis, which could be useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. PMID:24935972

  4. Endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis is dependent on expression of transforming growth factors β1 and β2.

    PubMed

    Echeverría, César; Montorfano, Ignacio; Tapia, Pablo; Riedel, Claudia; Cabello-Verrugio, Claudio; Simon, Felipe

    2014-09-01

    During endotoxemia-induced inflammatory disease, bacterial endotoxins circulate in the bloodstream and interact with endothelial cells (ECs), inducing dysfunction of the ECs. We previously reported that endotoxins induce the conversion of ECs into activated fibroblasts. Through endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis, ECs change their morphology and their protein expression pattern, thereby suppressing endothelial markers and upregulating fibrotic proteins. The most commonly used fibrotic inducers are transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and TGF-β2. However, whether TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 participate in endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis remains unknown. We have shown that the endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis process is dependent on the TGF-β receptor, ALK5, and the activation of Smad3, a protein that is activated by ALK5 activation, thus suggesting that endotoxin elicits TGF-β production to mediate endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis. Therefore, we investigated the dependence of endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis on the expression of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2. Endotoxin-treated ECs induced the expression and secretion of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2. TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 downregulation inhibited the endotoxin-induced changes in the endothelial marker VE-cadherin and in the fibrotic proteins α-SMA and fibronectin. Thus, endotoxin induces the production of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 as a mechanism to promote endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing that endotoxin induces endothelial fibrosis via TGF-β secretion, which represents an emerging source of vascular dysfunction. These findings contribute to understanding the molecular mechanism of endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis, which could be useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

  5. IFN-gamma synergizes with LPS to induce nitric oxide biosynthesis through glycogen synthase kinase-3-inhibited IL-10.

    PubMed

    Lin, Chiou-Feng; Tsai, Cheng-Chieh; Huang, Wei-Ching; Wang, Chi-Yun; Tseng, Hsiang-Chi; Wang, Yi; Kai, Jui-In; Wang, Szu-Wen; Cheng, Yi-Lin

    2008-10-15

    Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) plays a crucial role in innate immunity and inflammation. It causes the synergistic effect on endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)/NO biosynthesis; however, the mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3)-mediated inhibition of anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10). We found, in LPS-stimulated macrophages, that IFN-gamma increased iNOS expression and NO production in a time-dependent manner. In addition, ELISA analysis showed the upregulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and regulated on activation, normal T expressed and secreted, and the downregulation of IL-10. RT-PCR further showed changes in the IL-10 mRNA level as well. Treating cells with recombinant IL-10 showed a decrease in IFN-gamma/LPS-induced iNOS/NO biosynthesis, whereas anti-IL-10 neutralizing antibodies enhanced this effect, suggesting that IL-10 acts in an anti-inflammatory role. GSK-3-inhibitor treatment blocked IFN-gamma/LPS-induced iNOS/NO biosynthesis but upregulated IL-10 production. Inhibiting GSK-3 using short-interference RNA showed similar results. Additionally, treating cells with anti-IL-10 neutralizing antibodies blocked these effects. We further showed that inhibiting GSK-3 increased phosphorylation of transcription factor cyclic AMP response element binding protein. Inhibiting protein tyrosine kinase Pyk2, an upstream regulator of GSK-3beta, caused inhibition on IFN-gamma/LPS-induced GSK-3beta phosphorylation at tyrosine 216 and iNOS/NO biosynthesis. Taken together, these findings reveal the involvement of GSK-3-inhibited IL-10 on the induction of iNOS/NO biosynthesis by IFN-gamma synergized with LPS. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  6. Chamomile, an anti-inflammatory agent inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase expression by blocking RelA/p65 activity

    PubMed Central

    Bhaskaran, Natarajan; Shukla, Sanjeev; Srivastava, Janmejai K; Gupta, Sanjay

    2010-01-01

    Chamomile has long been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammation-related disorders. In this study we aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of chamomile on nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, and to explore its potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms using RAW 264.7 macrophages. Chamomile treatment inhibited LPS-induced NO production and significantly blocked IL-1β , IL-6 and TNFα-induced NO levels in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Chamomile caused reduction in LPS-induced iNOS mRNA and protein expression. In RAW 264.7 macrophages, LPS-induced DNA binding activity of RelA/p65 was significantly inhibited by chamomile, an effect that was mediated through the inhibition of IKKβ , the upstream kinase regulating NF-κ B/Rel activity, and degradation of inhibitory factor-κ B. These results demonstrate that chamomile inhibits NO production and iNOS gene expression by inhibiting RelA/p65 activation and supports the utilization of chamomile as an effective anti-inflammatory agent. PMID:21042790

  7. Hydrogen sulfide enhances nitric oxide-induced tolerance of hypoxia in maize (Zea mays L.).

    PubMed

    Peng, Renyi; Bian, Zhiyuan; Zhou, Lina; Cheng, Wei; Hai, Na; Yang, Changquan; Yang, Tao; Wang, Xinyu; Wang, Chongying

    2016-11-01

    Our data present H 2 S in a new role, serving as a multi-faceted transducer to different response mechanisms during NO-induced acquisition of tolerance to flooding-induced hypoxia in maize seedling roots. Nitric oxide (NO), serving as a secondary messenger, modulates physiological processes in plants. Recently, hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) has been demonstrated to have similar signaling functions. This study focused on the effects of treatment with H 2 S on NO-induced hypoxia tolerance in maize seedlings. The results showed that treatment with the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) enhanced survival rate of submerged maize roots through induced accumulation of endogenous H 2 S. The induced H 2 S then enhanced endogenous Ca 2+ levels as well as the Ca 2+ -dependent activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), improving the capacity for antioxidant defense and, ultimately, the hypoxia tolerance in maize seedlings. In addition, NO induced the activities of key enzymes in H 2 S biosynthesis, such as L-cysteine desulfhydrases (L-CDs), O-acetyl-L-serine (thiol)lyase (OAS-TL), and β-Cyanoalanine Synthase (CAS). SNP-induced hypoxia tolerance was enhanced by the application of NaHS, but was eliminated by the H 2 S-synthesis inhibitor hydroxylamine (HA) and the H 2 S-scavenger hypotaurine (HT). H 2 S concurrently enhanced the transcriptional levels of relative hypoxia-induced genes. Together, our findings indicated that H 2 S serves as a multi-faceted transducer that enhances the nitric oxide-induced hypoxia tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.).

  8. Preventive and therapeutic anti-inflammatory effects of systemic and topical thalidomide on endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats.

    PubMed

    Rodrigues, Gustavo Büchele; Passos, Giselle Fazzioni; Di Giunta, Gabriella; Figueiredo, Cláudia Pinto; Rodrigues, Eduardo Büchele; Grumman, Astor; Medeiros, Rodrigo; Calixto, João B

    2007-03-01

    The present study examined the outcomes of systemic or topical treatment with thalidomide, a compound that possesses anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-angiogenic properties, in rats subjected to endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU). The effects of thalidomide were evaluated on endotoxin-induced leucocyte and protein infiltration and also on the production of interleukin (IL)-1beta and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in rat aqueous humour (AqH). Moreover, the actions of thalidomide were assessed on the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression in retinal tissue. EIU was produced by a hindpaw injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), in male Wistar rats. Thalidomide (5, 25 and 50 mg/kg) was administered orally 1 h before LPS injection. In another set of experiments, to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy, 5% thalidomide was applied topically to both eyes at 6, 12 and 18 h after LPS administration. The oral pre-treatment with thalidomide decreased, in a dose-dependent manner, the number of inflammatory cells, the protein concentration, and the levels of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in the AqH. Similar results were found in the AqH of rats that received a topical application of thalidomide. Furthermore, oral (50 mg/kg) and local (5%) thalidomide treatment also reduced expression of the pro-inflammatory proteins COX-2 and iNOS in the posterior segment of the eye. Thalidomide exhibited marked preventive and curative ocular effects in EIU in rats, a property that might be associated with its ability to inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines and the expression of COX-2 and iNOS. This assembly of data provides additional molecular and functional insights into beneficial effects of thalidomide as an agent for the management of ocular inflammation.

  9. Candidemia-induced pediatric sepsis and its association with free radicals, nitric oxide, and cytokine level in host.

    PubMed

    Kumar, Dharmendra; Kumar, Abhai; Singh, Smita; Tilak, Ragini

    2015-04-01

    Candida species has become the seventh most frequent causal microorganisms of nosocomial sepsis. Prematurity and low birth weights are strongly associated with the development of neonatal nosocomial bloodstream infections. Candida albicans has been the species most often associated with neonatal infections, but recently, there has been a changing pattern in the isolates recovered from neonates with invasive candidiasis, which poses resistance to the existing class of azoles such as fluconazole antifungals along with cross resistance to newer triazoles, which results in a therapeutic challenge in invasive fungal infections causing high incidence of mortality. Candida species was isolated from blood of neonates and children younger than 15 years admitted to hospital and susceptible for Candida-induced sepsis. Polymerase chain reaction-based identification and confirmation of individual Candida species were done using DNA sequencing. Antibiotic susceptibility assay and resistance pattern for fluconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin were done for all the isolates. Furthermore, the change in free radical, cytokine release, and nitric oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide release from polymorphonuclear leukocytes isolated from control and pediatric sepsis cases were also performed. The present study probably for the first time reports the change in increasing incidence of nonalbicans Candida-induced sepsis in neonates and children admitted to the intensive care unit of hospital, and current antibiotics load posing resistance for antifungal treatment strategy and provide serious threats in future treatment. The increase in free radicals in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and increase in expression of nitric oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide release in Candida-infected pediatric sepsis cases underlie the role of host factor in dissemination and invasiveness of infection from exogenous sources and pathogenesis of systemic inflammation during sepsis. Copyright

  10. Iron(II) porphyrins induced conversion of nitrite into nitric oxide: A computational study.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Ting Ting; Liu, Yong Dong; Zhong, Ru Gang

    2015-09-01

    Nitrite reduction to nitric oxide by heme proteins was reported as a protective mechanism to hypoxic injury in mammalian physiology. In this study, the pathways of nitrite reduction to nitric oxide mediated by iron(II) porphyrin (P) complexes, which were generally recognized as models for heme proteins, were investigated by using density functional theory (DFT). In view of two type isomers of combination of nitrite and Fe(II)(P), N-nitro- and O-nitrito-Fe(II)-porphyrin complexes, and two binding sites of proton to the different O atoms of nitrite moiety, four main pathways for the conversion of nitrite into nitric oxide mediated by iron(II) porphyrins were proposed. The results indicate that the pathway of N-bound Fe(II)(P)(NO2) isomer into Fe(III)(P)(NO) and water is similar to that of O-bound isomer into nitric oxide and Fe(III)(P)(OH) in both thermodynamical and dynamical aspects. Based on the initial computational studies of five-coordinate nitrite complexes, the conversion of nitrite into NO mediated by Fe(II)(P)(L) complexes with 14 kinds of proximal ligands was also investigated. Generally, the same conclusion that the pathways of N-bound isomers are similar to those of O-bound isomer was obtained for iron(II) porphyrin with ligands. Different effects of ligands on the reduction reactions were also found. It is notable that the negative proximal ligands can improve reactive abilities of N-nitro-iron(II) porphyrins in the conversion of nitrite into nitric oxide compared to neutral ligands. The findings will be helpful to expand our understanding of the mechanism of nitrite reduction to nitric oxide by iron(II) porphyrins. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Dexamethasone inhibits endotoxin-induced coagulopathy in human lungs.

    PubMed

    Bartko, J; Schoergenhofer, C; Schwameis, M; Buchtele, N; Wojta, J; Schabbauer, G; Stiebellehner, L; Jilma, B

    2016-12-01

    Essentials Glucocorticoids are associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. Healthy volunteers received dexamethasone or placebo in an endotoxin lung instillation model. Dexamethasone suppressed thrombin generation in bronchoalveolar lavage. Glucocorticoids inhibit endotoxin induced pulmonary coagulopathy. Background Activation of local and systemic coagulation is a common finding in patients with pneumonia. There is evidence that glucocorticoids have procoagulant activity in the circulation, particularly in the context of inflammation. The effects of glucocorticoids on local pulmonary coagulation have not yet been investigated. Objective To use a human model of lung inflammation based on the local instillation of endotoxin in order to investigate whether glucocorticoids alter pulmonary coagulation. Methods Twenty-four healthy volunteers were randomized to receive either dexamethasone or placebo in a double-blind trial. Endotoxin was instilled via bronchoscope into right or left lung segments, followed by saline into the contralateral site. Six hours later, a bilateral bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed and coagulation parameters were measured. Results Endotoxin induced activation of coagulation in the bronchoalveolar compartment: the level of prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F 1 + 2 ) was increased three-fold (248 pmol L -1 , 95% confidence interval [CI] 43-454 versus 743 pmol L -1 , 95% CI 437-1050) and the level of thrombin-antithrombin complex (TATc) was increased by ~ 50% (31 μg L -1 , 95% CI 18-45 versus 49 μg L -1 , 95% CI 36-61) as compared with saline-challenged segments. Dexamethasone reduced F 1 + 2 (284 pmol L -1 , 95% CI 34-534) and TATc (9 μg L -1 , 95% CI 0.7-17) levels almost to those measured in BAL fluid from the saline-instilled segments in the placebo group. Dexamethasone even profoundly reduced F 1 + 2 levels (80%) in saline-instilled lung segments (50 pmol L -1 , 95% CI 12-87). In contrast, dexamethasone had no effect on systemic F 1

  12. Endotoxin-induced mortality in rats is reduced by nitrones

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hamburger, S.A.; McCay, P.B.

    The goal of these investigations was to determine if nitrone spin-trapping agents can alter mortality associated with endotoxemia in the rat. Reactive free radicals attack nitrone spin-trapping agents forming relatively reactive, persistent free radical spin adducts. We administered 85 mM (10 ml/kg) of alpha-phenyl N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN), alpha-4-pyridyl-N-oxide N-tert-butyl nitrone (4-POBN), 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO), or vehicle (saline i.p.) 30 min before endotoxin (25 mg/kg i.p.) or vehicle to Sprague-Dawley (SD) or Holtzman virus-free (HVF) rats (n = 10-17/group). All vehicle-treated rats receiving endotoxin were dead by 1 day. At 7 days, 83% of PBN-treated SD, 42% of PBN- or POBN-treated HVF,more » and 25% of DMPO-treated HVF rats were alive. The difference in survival of PBN-treated animals between strains may reflect the higher susceptibility of HVF rats to endotoxin. The observed reduction in mortality may be related to the well-established capacity of spin-trapping agents to capture reactive free radicals that may be generated in target tissues in response to endotoxin, and that would otherwise react with cell components and produce tissue injury.« less

  13. [Ultrasound induced the formation of nitric oxide and nitrosonium ions in water and aqueous solutions].

    PubMed

    Stepuro, I I; Adamchuk, R I; Stepuro, V I

    2004-01-01

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

  14. Dual Role of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase in Oxidized LDL-Induced, p66Shc-Mediated Oxidative Stress in Cultured Human Endothelial Cells

    PubMed Central

    Shi, Yi; Lüscher, Thomas F.; Camici, Giovanni G.

    2014-01-01

    Background The aging gene p66Shc, is an important mediator of oxidative stress-induced vascular dysfunction and disease. In cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC), p66Shc deletion increases endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability via protein kinase B. However, the putative role of the NO pathway on p66Shc activation remains unclear. This study was designed to elucidate the regulatory role of the eNOS/NO pathway on p66Shc activation. Methods and Results Incubation of HAEC with oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) led to phosphorylation of p66Shc at Ser-36, resulting in an enhanced production of superoxide anion (O2 -). In the absence of oxLDL, inhibition of eNOS by small interfering RNA or L-NAME, induced p66Shc phosphorylation, suggesting that basal NO production inhibits O2 - production. oxLDL-induced, p66Shc-mediated O2- was prevented by eNOS inhibition, suggesting that when cells are stimulated with oxLDL eNOS is a source of reactive oxygen species. Endogenous or exogenous NO donors, prevented p66Shc activation and reduced O2- production. Treatment with tetrahydrobiopterin, an eNOS cofactor, restored eNOS uncoupling, prevented p66Shc activation, and reduced O2- generation. However, late treatment with tetrahydropterin did not yield the same result suggesting that eNOS uncoupling is the primary source of reactive oxygen species. Conclusions The present study reports that in primary cultured HAEC treated with oxLDL, p66Shc-mediated oxidative stress is derived from eNOS uncoupling. This finding contributes novel information on the mechanisms of p66Shc activation and its dual interaction with eNOS underscoring the importance eNOS uncoupling as a putative antioxidant therapeutical target in endothelial dysfunction as observed in cardiovascular disease. PMID:25247687

  15. Dual role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in oxidized LDL-induced, p66Shc-mediated oxidative stress in cultured human endothelial cells.

    PubMed

    Shi, Yi; Lüscher, Thomas F; Camici, Giovanni G

    2014-01-01

    The aging gene p66Shc, is an important mediator of oxidative stress-induced vascular dysfunction and disease. In cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC), p66Shc deletion increases endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability via protein kinase B. However, the putative role of the NO pathway on p66Shc activation remains unclear. This study was designed to elucidate the regulatory role of the eNOS/NO pathway on p66Shc activation. Incubation of HAEC with oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) led to phosphorylation of p66Shc at Ser-36, resulting in an enhanced production of superoxide anion (O2-). In the absence of oxLDL, inhibition of eNOS by small interfering RNA or L-NAME, induced p66Shc phosphorylation, suggesting that basal NO production inhibits O2- production. oxLDL-induced, p66Shc-mediated O2- was prevented by eNOS inhibition, suggesting that when cells are stimulated with oxLDL eNOS is a source of reactive oxygen species. Endogenous or exogenous NO donors, prevented p66Shc activation and reduced O2- production. Treatment with tetrahydrobiopterin, an eNOS cofactor, restored eNOS uncoupling, prevented p66Shc activation, and reduced O2- generation. However, late treatment with tetrahydropterin did not yield the same result suggesting that eNOS uncoupling is the primary source of reactive oxygen species. The present study reports that in primary cultured HAEC treated with oxLDL, p66Shc-mediated oxidative stress is derived from eNOS uncoupling. This finding contributes novel information on the mechanisms of p66Shc activation and its dual interaction with eNOS underscoring the importance eNOS uncoupling as a putative antioxidant therapeutical target in endothelial dysfunction as observed in cardiovascular disease.

  16. Inducible nitric oxide synthase and apoptosis in murine proximal tubule epithelial cells.

    PubMed

    Tiwari, Manish M; Messer, Kurt J; Mayeux, Philip R

    2006-06-01

    Since inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and proximal tubule injury are known to be critical determinants of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced renal failure, the role of nitric oxide (NO) in proximal tubule cell apoptosis was examined. An 18-h treatment with a combination of LPS (5 microg/ml) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma, 100 units/ml) synergistically induced iNOS and produced a 20-fold increase in NO generation in the TKPTS murine proximal tubule cell line. NO generation by LPS + IFN-gamma was blocked by a specific iNOS blocker, L-N6-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine (L-NIL, 1 mM). To assess the role of iNOS-derived NO in proximal tubule cell apoptosis, annexin V- and propidium iodide-labeled cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Neither the induction of iNOS nor its inhibition produced significant apoptotic cell death in TKPTS cells. Two exogenous NO donors were used to examine the role of NO more directly in proximal tubule apoptosis. Although both sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an iron-containing, nitrosonium cation donor, and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), a noniron-containing, NO generator, produced a concentration-dependent increase in NO generation, only SNP increased apoptotic cell death in TKPTS cells (5.9 +/- 0.7% in control cells vs. 21.6 +/- 3.8% in SNP [500 microM]-treated cells; n = 4-9; p < 0.01). SNP-mediated tubule cell apoptosis was not dependent on the activation of caspases or p53 but was possibly related to the generation of reactive oxygen species by SNP. Thus, in TKPTS cells induction of iNOS and generation of NO by LPS does not lead to tubular epithelial cell death.

  17. Evidence for a pathogenic role of nitric oxide in inflammation-induced osteoporosis.

    PubMed

    Armour, K E; Van'T Hof, R J; Grabowski, P S; Reid, D M; Ralston, S H

    1999-12-01

    Inflammatory disease is associated with increased production of nitric oxide (NO) and activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) pathway. Several studies have addressed the role of NO as a mediator of cytokine effects on bone cell activity in vitro. Stimulatory and inhibitory actions have been found, however, depending on the concentrations produced and model system used. In view of this, it has been difficult to predict whether increased production of NO during inflammation is likely to increase bone loss or prevent it. We have investigated the pathogenic role of NO in an animal model of inflammation-induced osteoporosis (IMO). NO production was increased in IMO when compared with controls (+344%; p < 0.01), and this was accompanied by activation of inducible NOS (iNOS) in the bone marrow space. Bone mineral density (BMD) was reduced in IMO when compared with controls (-64%; p < 0.01), and this was found to be associated with reduced osteoblast numbers (-44%; p < 0.05) and increased osteoclast numbers (+38%; p < 0.01). The NOS inhibitor L-NMMA reversed the deleterious effects of IMO on bone mass and bone turnover, but L-NMMA had no effect on bone mass in control animals. This study has important implications for many inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and inflammatory bowel disease which are associated with increased NO production and osteoporosis. Our data not only suggest that iNOS activation and increased NO production contribute to the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in these situations, but also suggest that NOS inhibitors could be of therapeutic value in the prevention and treatment of such bone loss.

  18. Nitric oxide-related species-induced protein oxidation: reversible, irreversible, and protective effects on enzyme function of papain.

    PubMed

    Väänänen, Antti J; Kankuri, Esko; Rauhala, Pekka

    2005-04-15

    Protein oxidation, irreversible modification, and inactivation may play key roles in various neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, we studied the effects of the potentially in vivo occurring nitric oxide-related species on two different markers of protein oxidation: protein carbonyl generation on bovine serum albumine (BSA) and loss of activity of a cysteine-dependent protease, papain, in vitro by using Angeli's salt, papanonoate, SIN-1, and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) as donors of nitroxyl, nitric oxide, peroxynitrite, and nitrosonium ions, respectively. Angeli's salt, SIN-1, and papanonoate (0-1000 microM) all generated a concentration-dependent increase in carbonyl formation on BSA (107, 60, and 45%, respectively). GSNO did not affect carbonyl formation. Papain was inhibited by Angeli's salt, SIN-1, papanonoate, and GSNO with IC50 values of 0.62, 2.3, 54, and 80 microM, respectively. Angeli's salt (3.16 microM)-induced papain inactivation was only partially reversible, while the effects of GSNO (316 microM) and papanonoate (316 microM) were reversible upon addition of excess DTT. The Angeli's salt-mediated DTT-irreversible inhibition of papain was prevented by GSNO or papanonoate pretreatment, hypothetically through mixed disulfide formation or S-nitrosylation of the catalytically critical thiol group of papain. These results, for the first time, compare the generation of carbonyls in proteins by Angeli's salt, papanonoate, and SIN-1. Furthermore, these results suggest that S-nitrosothiols may have a novel function in protecting critical thiols from irreversible oxidative damage.

  19. Nitric oxide is involved in phosphorus deficiency-induced cluster root development and citrate exudation in white lupin

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    White lupin (Lupinus albus) forms specialized cluster roots characterized by exudation of organic anions under phosphorus (P) deficiency. Here, we evaluated the role of nitric oxide (NO) in P deficiency-induced cluster-root formation and citrate exudation in white lupin. Plants were treated with NO ...

  20. The NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin induces nitric oxide synthesis via oxidative stress

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Riganti, Chiara; Costamagna, Costanzo; Doublier, Sophie

    We have recently shown that apocynin elicits an oxidative stress in N11 mouse glial cells and other cell types. Here we report that apocynin increased the accumulation of nitrite, the stable derivative of nitric oxide (NO), in the extracellular medium of N11 cell cultures, and the NO synthase (NOS) activity in cell lysates. The increased synthesis of NO was associated with increased expression of inducible NOS (iNOS) mRNA, increased nuclear translocation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor NF-{kappa}B and decreased intracellular level of its inhibitor IkB{alpha}. These effects, accompanied by increased production of H{sub 2}O{sub 2}, were very similar to thosemore » observed after incubation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and were inhibited by catalase. These results suggest that apocynin, similarly to LPS, induces increased NO synthesis by eliciting a generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn causes NF-{kappa}B activation and increased expression of iNOS. Therefore, the increased bioavailability of NO reported in the literature after in vivo or in vitro treatments with apocynin might depend, at least partly, on the drug-elicited induction of iNOS, and not only on the inhibition of NADPH oxidase and the subsequent decreased scavenging of NO by oxidase-derived ROS, as it is often supposed.« less

  1. Distinct role of nitric oxide and peroxynitrite in mediating oligodendrocyte toxicity in culture and in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

    PubMed

    Li, S; Vana, A C; Ribeiro, R; Zhang, Y

    2011-06-16

    Nitric oxide has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. However, it is still unclear whether nitric oxide plays a protective role or is deleterious. We have previously shown that peroxynitrite, a reaction product of nitric oxide and superoxide, is toxic to mature oligodendrocytes (OLs). The toxicity is mediated by intracellular zinc release, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), activation of 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we found that the donors of nitric oxide, dipropylenetriamine NONOate (DPT NONOate) and diethylenetriamine NONOate (DETA NONOate), protected OLs from peroxynitrite or zinc-induced toxicity. The protective mechanisms appear to be attributable to their inhibition of peroxynitrite- or zinc-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and 12-LOX activation. In cultures of mature OLs exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) generated nitric oxide and rendered OLs resistant to peroxynitrite-induced toxicity. The protection was eliminated when 1400W, a specific inhibitor of iNOS, was co-applied with LPS. Using MOG35-55-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis, we found that nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity, an indicator of peroxynitrite formation, was increased in the spinal cord white matter, which correlated with the loss of mature OLs. Targeted gene deletion of the NADPH oxidase component gp91phox reduced clinical scores, the formation of nitrotyrosine and the loss of mature OLs. These results suggest that blocking the formation specifically of peroxynitrite, rather than nitric oxide, may be a protective strategy against oxidative stress induced toxicity to OLs. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  2. 21 CFR 868.5165 - Nitric oxide administration apparatus.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Nitric oxide administration apparatus. 868.5165... apparatus. (a) Identification. The nitric oxide administration apparatus is a device used to add nitric oxide to gases that are to be breathed by a patient. The nitric oxide administration apparatus is to be...

  3. 21 CFR 868.5165 - Nitric oxide administration apparatus.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Nitric oxide administration apparatus. 868.5165... apparatus. (a) Identification. The nitric oxide administration apparatus is a device used to add nitric oxide to gases that are to be breathed by a patient. The nitric oxide administration apparatus is to be...

  4. Nitric oxide-dependent pigment migration induced by ultraviolet radiation in retinal pigment cells of the crab Neohelice granulata.

    PubMed

    Filgueira, Daza de Moraes Vaz Batista; Guterres, Laís Pereira; Votto, Ana Paula de Souza; Vargas, Marcelo Alves; Boyle, Robert Tew; Trindade, Gilma Santos; Nery, Luiz Eduardo Maia

    2010-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to verify the occurrence of pigment dispersion in retinal pigment cells exposed to UVA and UVB radiation, and to investigate the possible participation of a nitric oxide (NO) pathway. Retinal pigment cells from Neohelice granulata were obtained by cellular dissociation. Cells were analyzed for 30 min in the dark (control) and then exposed to 1.1 and 3.3 J cm(-2) UVA, 0.07 and 0.9 J cm(-2) UVB, 20 nmβ-PDH (pigment dispersing hormone) or 10 μm SIN-1 (NO donor). Histological analyses were performed to verify the UV effect in vivo. Cultured cells were exposed to 250 μm L-NAME (NO synthase blocker) and afterwards were treated with UVA, UVB or β-PDH. The retinal cells in culture displayed significant pigment dispersion in response to UVA, UVB and β-PDH. The same responses to UVA and UVB were observed in vivo. SIN-1 did not induce pigment dispersion in the cell cultures. L-NAME significantly decreased the pigment dispersion induced by UVA and UVB but not by β-PDH. All retinal cells showed an immunopositive reaction against neuronal nitric oxide synthases. Therefore, UVA and UVB radiation are capable of inducing pigment dispersion in retinal pigment cells of Neohelice granulata and this dispersion may be nitric oxide synthase dependent. © 2010 The Authors. Journal Compilation. The American Society of Photobiology.

  5. Aldose reductase deficiency protects from autoimmune- and endotoxin-induced uveitis in mice.

    PubMed

    Yadav, Umesh C S; Shoeb, Mohammed; Srivastava, Satish K; Ramana, Kota V

    2011-10-17

    To investigate the effect of aldose reductase (AR) deficiency in protecting the chronic experimental autoimmune (EAU) and acute endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in c57BL/6 mice. The WT and AR-null (ARKO) mice were immunized with human interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding peptide (hIRPB-1-20), to induce EAU, or were injected subcutaneously with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 100 μg) to induce EIU. The mice were killed on day 21 for EAU and at 24 hours for EIU, when the disease was at its peak, and the eyes were immediately enucleated for histologic and biochemical studies. Spleen-derived T-lymphocytes were used to study the antigen-specific immune response in vitro and in vivo. In WT-EAU mice, severe damage to the retinal wall, especially to the photoreceptor layer was observed, corresponding to a pathologic score of ∼2, which was significantly prevented in the ARKO or AR inhibitor-treated mice. The levels of cytokines and chemokines increased markedly in the whole-eye homogenates of WT-EAU mice, but not in ARKO-EAU mice. Further, expression of inflammatory marker proteins such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 was increased in the WT-EIU mouse eyes but not in the ARKO-EIU eyes. The T cells proliferated vigorously when exposed to the hIRPB antigen in vitro and secreted various cytokines and chemokines, which were significantly inhibited in the T cells isolated from the ARKO mice. These findings suggest that AR-deficiency/inhibition protects against acute as well as chronic forms of ocular inflammatory complications such as uveitis.

  6. Statin-induced inhibition of breast cancer proliferation and invasion involves attenuation of iron transport: intermediacy of nitric oxide and antioxidant defence mechanisms.

    PubMed

    Kanugula, Anantha Koteswararao; Gollavilli, Paradesi Naidu; Vasamsetti, Sathish Babu; Karnewar, Santosh; Gopoju, Raja; Ummanni, Ramesh; Kotamraju, Srigiridhar

    2014-08-01

    Accumulating evidence from in vitro, in vivo, clinical and epidemiological studies shows promising results for the use of statins against many cancers including breast carcinoma. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the anti-proliferative and anti-invasive properties of statins still remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the involvement of nitric oxide, iron homeostasis and antioxidant defence mechanisms in mediating the anti-proliferative and anti-invasive properties of hydrophobic statins in MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453 and BT-549 metastatic triple negative breast cancer cells. Fluvastatin and simvastatin significantly increased cytotoxicity which was reversed with mevalonate. Interestingly, fluvastatin downregulated transferrin receptor (TfR1), with a concomitant depletion of intracellular iron levels in these cells. Statin-induced effects were mimicked by geranylgeranyl transferase inhibitor (GGTI-298) but not farnesyl transferase inhibitor (FTI-277). Further, it was observed that TfR1 downregulation is mediated by increased nitric oxide levels via inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. NOS inhibitors (asymmetric dimethylarginine and 1400W) counteracted and sepiapterin, a precursor of tetrahydrobiopterin, exacerbated statin-induced depletion of intracellular iron levels. Notably, fluvastatin increased manganese superoxide dismutase (by repressing the transcription factor DNA damage-binding protein 2), catalase and glutathione which, in turn, diminished H2 O2 levels. Fluvastatin-induced downregulation of TfR1, matrix metalloproteinase-2, -9 and inhibition of invasion were reversed in the presence of aminotriazole, a specific inhibitor of catalase. Finally, we conclude that fluvastatin, by altering iron homeostasis, nitric oxide generation and antioxidant defence mechanisms, induces triple negative breast cancer cell death. © 2014 FEBS.

  7. Superoxide and peroxynitrite generation from inducible nitric oxide synthase in macrophages

    PubMed Central

    Xia, Yong; Zweier, Jay L.

    1997-01-01

    Superoxide (O2⨪) and nitric oxide (NO) act to kill invading microbes in phagocytes. In macrophages NO is synthesized by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS, NOS 2) from l-arginine (l-Arg) and oxygen; however, O2⨪ was thought to be produced mainly by NADPH oxidase. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping experiments performed in murine macrophages demonstrate a novel pathway of O2⨪ generation. It was observed that depletion of cytosolic l-Arg triggers O2⨪ generation from iNOS. This iNOS-mediated O2⨪ generation was blocked by the NOS inhibitor N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester or by l-Arg, but not by the noninhibitory enantiomer N-nitro-d-arginine methyl ester. In l-Arg-depleted macrophages iNOS generates both O2⨪ and NO that interact to form the potent oxidant peroxynitrite (ONOO−), which was detected by luminol luminescence and whose formation was blocked by superoxide dismutase, urate, or l-Arg. This iNOS-derived ONOO− resulted in nitrotyrosine formation, and this was inhibited by iNOS blockade. iNOS-mediated O2⨪ and ONOO− increased the antibacterial activity of macrophages. Thus, with reduced l-Arg availability iNOS produces O2⨪ and ONOO− that modulate macrophage function. Due to the existence of l-Arg depletion in inflammation, iNOS-mediated O2⨪ and ONOO− may occur and contribute to cytostatic/cytotoxic actions of macrophages. PMID:9192673

  8. Airborne endotoxin in fine particulate matter in Beijing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guan, Tianjia; Yao, Maosheng; Wang, Junxia; Fang, Yanhua; Hu, Songhe; Wang, Yan; Dutta, Anindita; Yang, Junnan; Wu, Yusheng; Hu, Min; Zhu, Tong

    2014-11-01

    Endotoxin is an important biological component of particulate matter (PM) which, upon inhalation, can induce adverse health effects, and also possibly complicate the diseases in combination with other pollutants. From 1 March 2012 to 27 February 2013 we collected air samples using quartz filters daily for the quantification of airborne endotoxin and also fine PM (PM2.5) in Beijing, China. The geometric means for endotoxin concentration and the fraction of endotoxin in PM were 0.65 EU/m3 (range: 0.10-75.02) and 10.25 EU/mg PM2.5 (range: 0.38-1627.29), respectively. The endotoxin concentrations were shown to vary greatly with seasons, typically with high values in the spring and winter seasons. Temperature and relative humidity, as well as concentrations of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides were found to be significantly correlated with airborne endotoxin concentrations (p < 0.05). Additionally, positive correlations were also detected between endotoxin concentrations and natural sources of Na+, K+, Mg2+, and F-, while negative correlations were observed between endotoxin concentrations and anthropogenic sources of P, Co, Zn, As, and Tl. Oxidative potential analysis revealed that endotoxin concentrations were positively correlated with reactive oxygen species (ROS), but not dithiothreitol (DTT) of PM. This study provided the first continuous time series of airborne endotoxin concentrations in Beijing, and identifies its potential associations with atmospheric factors. The information developed here can assist in the assessment of health effects of air pollution in Beijing.

  9. Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression by xanthanolides isolated from Xanthium strumarium.

    PubMed

    Yoon, Jeong Hoon; Lim, Hyo Jin; Lee, Hwa Jin; Kim, Hee-Doo; Jeon, Raok; Ryu, Jae-Ha

    2008-03-15

    Three sesquiterpenoids, xanthatin (1), xanthinosin (2), and 4-oxo-bedfordia acid (3) were isolated from Xanthium strumarium as inhibitors of nitric oxide synthesis in activated microglia (IC(50) values: 0.47, 11.2, 136.5 microM, respectively). Compounds 1 and 2 suppressed the expression of iNOS and COX-2 and the activity of NF-kappaB through the inhibition of LPS-induced I-kappaB-alpha degradation in microglia.

  10. Role of nitric oxide and KATP channel in the protective effect mediated by nicorandil in bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

    PubMed

    Mohamed, Yasmin S; Ahmed, Lamiaa A; Salem, Hesham A; Agha, Azza M

    2018-05-01

    Liver fibrosis is one of the most serious conditions affecting patients worldwide. In the present study, the role of nitric oxide and KATP channel was investigated for the first time in the possible protection mediated by nicorandil in bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Nicorandil (3 mg/kg/day) was given orally 24 h after bile duct ligation for 14 days till the end of the experiment. Nicorandil group showed marked improvement in liver function tests, hepatic oxidative stress and inflammatory markers as well as inducible and endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein expressions. Furthermore, nicorandil administration led to significant decrement of phosphorylated protein kinase C, fibrosis and hepatic stellate cells activation as indicated by decreased alpha smooth muscle actin expression. Oral co-administration of glibenclamide (5 mg/kg/day) (a KATP channel blocker) with nicorandil mostly showed similar improvement though not reaching to that of nicorandil group. However, co-adminstration of L-NAME (15 mg/kg/day) (an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase) completely abolished the protective effects of nicorandil and produced more or less similar results to that of untreated bile duct ligated group. In conclusion, nicorandil is an effective therapy against the development of bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis in rats where nitric oxide plays a more prominent role in the protective effect of nicorandil than KATP channel opening. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS-2) in subarachnoid hemorrhage: Regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic implications.

    PubMed

    Iqbal, Sana; Hayman, Erik G; Hong, Caron; Stokum, Jesse A; Kurland, David B; Gerzanich, Volodymyr; Simard, J Marc

    2016-01-01

    Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) typically carries a poor prognosis. Growing evidence indicates that overabundant production of nitric oxide (NO) may be responsible for a large part of the secondary injury that follows SAH. Although SAH modulates the activity of all three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), the inducible isoform, NOS-2, accounts for a majority of NO-mediated secondary injuries after SAH. Here, we review the indispensable physiological roles of NO that must be preserved, even while attempting to downmodulate the pathophysiologic effects of NO that are induced by SAH. We examine the effects of SAH on the function of the various NOS isoforms, with a particular focus on the pathological effects of NOS-2 and on the mechanisms responsible for its transcriptional upregulation. Finally, we review interventions to block NOS-2 upregulation or to counteract its effects, with an emphasis on the potential therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes in patients afflicted with SAH. There is still much to be learned regarding the apparently maladaptive response of NOS-2 and its harmful product NO in SAH. However, the available evidence points to crucial effects that, on balance, are adverse, making the NOS-2/NO/peroxynitrite axis an attractive therapeutic target in SAH.

  12. Enhancement of fracture healing in the rat, modulated by compounds that stimulate inducible nitric oxide synthase

    PubMed Central

    Rajfer, R. A.; Kilic, A.; Neviaser, A. S.; Schulte, L. M.; Hlaing, S. M.; Landeros, J.; Ferrini, M. G.; Ebramzadeh, E.

    2017-01-01

    Objectives We investigated the effects on fracture healing of two up-regulators of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in a rat model of an open femoral osteotomy: tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and the recently reported nutraceutical, COMB-4 (consisting of L-citrulline, Paullinia cupana, ginger and muira puama), given orally for either 14 or 42 days. Materials and Methods Unilateral femoral osteotomies were created in 58 male rats and fixed with an intramedullary compression nail. Rats were treated daily either with vehicle, tadalafil or COMB-4. Biomechanical testing of the healed fracture was performed on day 42. The volume, mineral content and bone density of the callus were measured by quantitative CT on days 14 and 42. Expression of iNOS was measured by immunohistochemistry. Results When compared with the control group, the COMB-4 group exhibited 46% higher maximum strength (t-test, p = 0.029) and 92% higher stiffness (t-test, p = 0.023), but no significant changes were observed in the tadalafil group. At days 14 and 42, there was no significant difference between the three groups with respect to callus volume, mineral content and bone density. Expression of iNOS at day 14 was significantly higher in the COMB-4 group which, as expected, had returned to baseline levels at day 42. Conclusion This study demonstrates an enhancement in fracture healing by an oral natural product known to augment iNOS expression. Cite this article: R. A. Rajfer, A. Kilic, A. S. Neviaser, L. M. Schulte, S. M. Hlaing, J. Landeros, M. G. Ferrini, E. Ebramzadeh, S-H. Park. Enhancement of fracture healing in the rat, modulated by compounds that stimulate inducible nitric oxide synthase: Acceleration of fracture healing via inducible nitric oxide synthase. Bone Joint Res 2017:6:–97. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.62.BJR-2016-0164.R2. PMID:28188129

  13. Oxidation of nitroxyl anion to nitric oxide by copper ions

    PubMed Central

    Nelli, Silvia; Hillen, Mark; Buyukafsar, Kansu; Martin, William

    2000-01-01

    This study made use of a nitric oxide-sensitive electrode to examine possible means of generating nitric oxide from nitroxyl anion (NO−) released upon the decomposition of Angeli's salt. Our results show that copper ions (from CuSO4) catalyze the rapid and efficient oxidation of nitroxyl to nitric oxide. Indeed, the concentrations of copper required to do so (0.1–100 μM) are roughly 100-times lower than those required to generate equivalent amounts of nitric oxide from S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP). Experiments with ascorbate (1 mM), which reduces Cu2+ ions to Cu+, and with the Cu2+ chelators, EDTA and cuprizone, and the Cu+ chelator, neocuproine, each at 1 mM, suggest that the oxidation is catalyzed by copper ions in both valency states. Some compounds containing other transition metals, i.e. methaemoglobin, ferricytochrome c and Mn(III)TMPyP, were much less efficient than CuSO4 in catalyzing the formation of nitric oxide from nitroxyl, while FeSO4, FeCl3, MnCl2, and ZnSO4 were inactive. Of the copper containing enzymes examined, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase and ceruloplasmin were weak generators of nitric oxide from nitroxyl, even at concentrations (2500 and 30 u ml−1, respectively) vastly greater than are present endogenously. Two others, ascorbate oxidase (10 u ml−1) and tyrosinase (250 u ml−1) were inactive. Our findings suggest that a copper-containing enzyme may be responsible for the rapid oxidation of nitroxyl to nitric oxide by cells, but the identity of such an enzyme remains elusive. PMID:10991931

  14. Nitric oxide protects carbon assimilation process of watermelon from boron-induced oxidative injury.

    PubMed

    Farag, Mohamed; Najeeb, Ullah; Yang, Jinghua; Hu, Zhongyuan; Fang, Zhang Ming

    2017-02-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) mediates plant response to a variety of abiotic stresses; however, limited information is available on its effect on boron (B)-stressed watermelon plants. The present study investigates the mechanism through which NO protects watermelon seedlings from B deficiency and toxicity stresses. Five days old watermelon seedlings were exposed to B (0, 0.5 and 10 mg L -1 ) alone or with 75 μmole of NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) for 30 days. Both low and high B concentrations in the media altered nutrient accumulation and impaired various physiological processes of watermelon seedlings, leading to a significant reduction in biomass production. The plants exposed to B deficient or toxic concentrations had 66 and 69% lower shoot dry weight, respectively compared with optimum B levels. B toxicity-induced growth inhibition of watermelon seedlings was associated with high B translocation to shoot tissues, which caused lipid membrane peroxidation (12% increase) and chlorophyll destruction (25% reduction). In contrast, B deficiency accelerated generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), specifically OH -1 and induced cellular oxidative injury. Exogenously applied SNP promoted leaf chlorophyll, photosynthesis and consequently biomass production in B-stressed watermelon seedlings by reducing B accumulation, lipid membrane peroxidation and ROS generation. It also activated antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, POD and APX, and protected the seedlings from ROS-induced cellular burst. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

  15. Unintended inhalation of nitric oxide by contamination of compressed air: physiologic effects and interference with intended nitric oxide inhalation in acute lung injury.

    PubMed

    Benzing, A; Loop, T; Mols, G; Geiger, K

    1999-10-01

    Compressed air from a hospital's central gas supply may contain nitric oxide as a result of air pollution. Inhaled nitric oxide may increase arterial oxygen tension and decrease pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Therefore, the authors wanted to determine whether unintentional nitric oxide inhalation by contamination of compressed air influences arterial oxygen tension and pulmonary vascular resistance and interferes with the therapeutic use of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide concentrations in the compressed air of a university hospital were measured continuously by chemiluminescence during two periods (4 and 2 weeks). The effects of unintended nitric oxide inhalation on arterial oxygen tension (n = 15) and on pulmonary vascular resistance (n = 9) were measured in patients with acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome by changing the source of compressed air of the ventilator from the hospital's central gas supply to a nitric oxide-free gas tank containing compressed air. In five of these patients, the effects of an additional inhalation of 5 ppm nitric oxide were evaluated. During working days, compressed air of the hospital's central gas supply contained clinically effective nitric oxide concentrations (> 80 parts per billion) during 40% of the time. Change to gas tank-supplied nitric oxide-free compressed air decreased the arterial oxygen tension by 10% and increased pulmonary vascular resistance by 13%. The addition of 5 ppm nitric oxide had a minimal effect on arterial oxygen tension and pulmonary vascular resistance when added to hospital-supplied compressed air but improved both when added to tank-supplied compressed air. Unintended inhalation of nitric oxide increases arterial oxygen tension and decreases pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The unintended nitric oxide inhalation interferes with the

  16. The effect of thalidomide on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in mice: involvement of inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide.

    PubMed

    Amirshahrokhi, Keyvan; Khalili, Ali-Reza

    2015-01-05

    Excessive ethanol ingestion causes gastric mucosal damage through the inflammatory and oxidative processes. The present study was aimed to evaluate the protective effect of thalidomide on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in mice. The animals were pretreated with vehicle or thalidomide (30 or 60 mg/kg, orally), and one hour later, the gastric mucosal injury was induced by oral administration of acidified ethanol. The animals were euthanized one hour after ethanol ingestion, and gastric tissues were collected to biochemical analyzes. The gastric mucosal lesions were assessed by macroscopic and histopathological examinations. The results showed that treatment of mice with thalidomide prior to the administration of ethanol dose-dependently reduced the gastric ulcer index. Thalidomide pretreatment significantly reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6], malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. In addition, thalidomide significantly inhibited ethanol-induced nitric oxide (NO) overproduction in gastric tissue. Histological observations showed that ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage was attenuated by thalidomide pretreatment. It seems that thalidomide as an anti-inflammatory agent may have a protective effect against alcohol-induced mucosal damage by inhibition of neutrophil infiltration and reducing the production of nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokines in gastric tissue. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Mechanism of Inducible Nitric-oxide Synthase Dimerization Inhibition by Novel Pyrimidine Imidazoles*

    PubMed Central

    Nagpal, Latika; Haque, Mohammad M.; Saha, Amit; Mukherjee, Nirmalya; Ghosh, Arnab; Ranu, Brindaban C.; Stuehr, Dennis J.; Panda, Koustubh

    2013-01-01

    Overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) by inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) has been etiologically linked to several inflammatory, immunological, and neurodegenerative diseases. As dimerization of NOS is required for its activity, several dimerization inhibitors, including pyrimidine imidazoles, are being evaluated for therapeutic inhibition of iNOS. However, the precise mechanism of their action is still unclear. Here, we examined the mechanism of iNOS inhibition by a pyrimidine imidazole core compound and its derivative (PID), having low cellular toxicity and high affinity for iNOS, using rapid stopped-flow kinetic, gel filtration, and spectrophotometric analysis. PID bound to iNOS heme to generate an irreversible PID-iNOS monomer complex that could not be converted to active dimers by tetrahydrobiopterin (H4B) and l-arginine (Arg). We utilized the iNOS oxygenase domain (iNOSoxy) and two monomeric mutants whose dimerization could be induced (K82AiNOSoxy) or not induced (D92AiNOSoxy) with H4B to elucidate the kinetics of PID binding to the iNOS monomer and dimer. We observed that the apparent PID affinity for the monomer was 11 times higher than the dimer. PID binding rate was also sensitive to H4B and Arg site occupancy. PID could also interact with nascent iNOS monomers in iNOS-synthesizing RAW cells, to prevent their post-translational dimerization, and it also caused irreversible monomerization of active iNOS dimers thereby accomplishing complete physiological inhibition of iNOS. Thus, our study establishes PID as a versatile iNOS inhibitor and therefore a potential in vivo tool for examining the causal role of iNOS in diseases associated with its overexpression as well as therapeutic control of such diseases. PMID:23696643

  18. Endothelial Nitric Oxide Mediates Caffeine Antagonism of Alcohol-Induced Cerebral Artery Constriction

    PubMed Central

    Chang, Jennifer; Fedinec, Alexander L.; Kuntamallappanavar, Guruprasad; Leffler, Charles W.; Bukiya, Anna N.

    2016-01-01

    Despite preventive education, the combined consumption of alcohol and caffeine (particularly from “energy drinks”) continues to rise. Physiologic perturbations by separate intake of ethanol and caffeine have been widely documented. However, the biologic actions of the alcohol-caffeine combination and their underlying subcellular mechanisms have been scarcely studied. Using intravital microscopy on a closed-cranial window and isolated, pressurized vessels, we investigated the in vivo and in vitro action of ethanol-caffeine mixtures on cerebral arteries from rats and mice, widely recognized models to address cerebrovascular pathophysiology and pharmacology. Caffeine at concentrations found in human circulation after ingestion of one to two cups of coffee (10 µM) antagonized the endothelium-independent constriction of cerebral arteries evoked by ethanol concentrations found in blood during moderate-heavy alcohol intoxication (40–70 mM). Caffeine antagonism against alcohol was similar whether evaluated in vivo or in vitro, suggesting independence of systemic factors and drug metabolism, but required a functional endothelium. Moreover, caffeine protection against alcohol increased nitric oxide (NO•) levels over those found in the presence of ethanol alone, disappeared upon blocking NO• synthase, and could not be detected in pressurized cerebral arteries from endothelial nitric-oxide synthase knockout (eNOS−/−) mice. Finally, incubation of de-endothelialized cerebral arteries with the NO• donor sodium nitroprusside (10 µM) fully restored the protective effect of caffeine. This study demonstrates for the first time that caffeine antagonizes ethanol-induced cerebral artery constriction and identifies endothelial NO• as the critical caffeine effector on smooth muscle targets. Conceivably, situations that perturb endothelial function and/or NO• availability will critically alter caffeine antagonism of alcohol-induced cerebrovascular constriction without

  19. Role of nitric oxide in long-term potentiation of the rat medial vestibular nuclei.

    PubMed

    Grassi, S; Pettorossi, V E

    2000-01-01

    In rat brainstem slices, we investigated the role of nitric oxide in long-term potentiation induced in the ventral portion of the medial vestibular nuclei by high-frequency stimulation of the primary vestibular afferents. The nitric oxide scavenger [2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide ] and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester were administered before and after induction of potentiation. Both drugs completely prevented long-term potentiation, whereas they did not impede the potentiation build-up, or affect the already established potentiation. These results demonstrate that the induction, but not the maintenance of vestibular long-term potentiation, depends on the synthesis and release into the extracellular medium of nitric oxide. In addition, we analysed the effect of the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside on vestibular responses. Sodium nitroprusside induced long-term potentiation, as evidenced through the field potential enhancement and unit peak latency decrease. This potentiation was impeded by D, L-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, and was reduced under blockade of synaptosomal platelet-activating factor receptors by ginkgolide B and group I metabotropic glutamate receptors by (R,S)-1-aminoindan-1, 5-dicarboxylic acid. When reduced, potentiation fully developed following the washout of antagonist, demonstrating an involvement of platelet-activating factor and group I metabotropic glutamate receptors in its full development. Potentiation induced by sodium nitroprusside was also associated with a decrease in the paired-pulse facilitation ratio, which persisted under ginkgolide B, indicating that nitric oxide increases glutamate release independently of platelet-activating factor-mediated presynaptic events. We suggest that nitric oxide, released after the activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, acts as a retrograde messenger leading to an enhancement of glutamate release to a

  20. Apigenin attenuates diabetes-associated cognitive decline in rats via suppressing oxidative stress and nitric oxide synthase pathway

    PubMed Central

    Mao, Xiao-Yuan; Yu, Jing; Liu, Zhao-Qian; Zhou, Hong-Hao

    2015-01-01

    Our present investigation aimed to determine the neuroprotection of apigenin (API) against diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD) a diabetic rat model and exploring its potential mechanism. Diabetic rat model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. All experiment animals treated with vehicle or API by doses of 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg for seven weeks. Firstly, the body weight and blood glucose levels were detected. We used Morris water maze test to evaluate learning and memory function. The oxidative indicators (malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH)), cNOS, iNOS, caspase-3 and caspase-9 were measured in cerebral cortex and hippocampus using corresponding commercial kits. API can increase body weight, reduce the blood glucose levels, and improve the cognitive function in rats induced by diabetes. API decrease the MDA content, and increase SOD activity and GSH level of diabetic animals in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of diabetic rats. Meanwhile, constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), caspase-3/9 were markedly exhibited in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of diabetic rats. In summary, our current work discloses that API attenuates DACD in rats via suppressing oxidative stress, nitric oxide and apoptotic cascades synthase pathway. PMID:26629041

  1. Nitric oxide enhances development of lateral roots in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under elevated carbon dioxide.

    PubMed

    Wang, Huan; Xiao, Wendan; Niu, Yaofang; Jin, Chongwei; Chai, Rushan; Tang, Caixian; Zhang, Yongsong

    2013-01-01

    Elevated carbon dioxide (CO₂) has been shown to enhance the growth and development of plants, especially of roots. Amongst them, lateral roots play an important role in nutrient uptake, and thus alleviate the nutrient limitation to plant growth under elevated CO₂. This paper examined the mechanism underlying CO₂ elevation-induced lateral root formation in tomato. The endogenous nitric oxide (NO) in roots was detected by the specific probe 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluorofluorescein diacetate (DAF-FM DA). We suggest that CO₂ elevation-induced NO accumulation was important for lateral root formation. Elevated CO₂ significantly increased the activity of nitric oxide synthase in roots, but not nitrate reductase activity. Moreover, the pharmacological evidence showed that nitric oxide synthase rather than nitrate reductase was responsible for CO₂ elevation-induced NO accumulation. Elevated CO₂ enhanced the activity of nitric oxide synthase and promoted production of NO, which was involved in lateral root formation in tomato under elevated CO₂.

  2. Mature coconut water exhibits antidiabetic and antithrombotic potential via L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

    PubMed

    Preetha, Prabhakaran Prabha; Devi, Vishalakshiamma Girija; Rajamohan, Thankappan

    2015-11-01

    The aims of the present study were to assess whether the antidiabetic activity of mature coconut water (MCW) is mediated through L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway in diabetic rats, and to study the effects of MCW on blood coagulation. Diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by injecting them with alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight). MCW (4 mL/100 g body weight) and L-arginine (7.5 mg/100 g body weight) was given orally for 45 days. L-NAME was given at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight. Concentrations of blood glucose, plasma insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), L-arginine, urine volume and urinary creatinine levels, activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and arginase as well as the abnormalities in hemostasis and thrombosis were measured in all the experimental groups. Treatment with MCW and L-arginine reduced the concentration of blood glucose and HbA1c in diabetic rats. MCW and L-arginine treatment exhibited significant antithrombotic activity in diabetic rats, which was evident from the reduced levels of WBC, platelets, fibrin, and fibrinogen. MCW and L-arginine treatment prolonged the prothrombin time in diabetic rats and reduced the activity of Factor V. In addition to this, the activity of nitric oxide synthase, liver and plasma arginine content, and urinary nitrite were higher in MCW-treated diabetic rats whereas L-NAME treatment inhibited the beneficial effects induced by MCW and arginine. The results clearly indicate that L-arginine is a major factor responsible for the antidiabetic and antithrombotic potential of coconut water, and is mediated through the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway.

  3. Nitric oxide mediates the anticonvulsant effects of thalidomide on pentylenetetrazole-induced clonic seizures in mice.

    PubMed

    Payandemehr, Borna; Rahimian, Reza; Gooshe, Maziar; Bahremand, Arash; Gholizadeh, Ramtin; Berijani, Sina; Ahmadi-Dastgerdi, Mohammad; Aminizade, Mehdi; Sarreshte-Dari, Ali; Dianati, Vahid; Amanlou, Massoud; Dehpour, Ahmad Reza

    2014-05-01

    Thalidomide is an old glutamic acid derivative which was initially used as a sedative medication but withdrawn from the market due to the high incidence of teratogenicity. Recently, it has reemerged because of its potential for counteracting number of diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders. Other than the antiemetic and hypnotic aspects, thalidomide exerts some anticonvulsant properties in experimental settings. However, the underlying mechanisms of thalidomide actions are not fully realized yet. Some investigations revealed that thalidomide could elicit immunomodulatory or neuromodulatory properties by affecting different targets, including cytokines (such as TNF α), neurotransmitters, and nitric oxide (NO). In this regard, we used a model of clonic seizure induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in male NMRI mice to investigate whether the anticonvulsant effect of thalidomide is affected through modulation of the l-arginine-nitric oxide pathway or not. Injection of a single effective dose of thalidomide (10 mg/kg, i.p. or higher) significantly increased the seizure threshold (P<0.05). On the one hand, pretreatment with low and per se noneffective dose of l-arginine [NO precursor] (10, 30 and 60 mg/kg) prevented the anticonvulsant effect of thalidomide. On the other hand, NOS inhibitors [l-NAME and 7-NI] augmented the anticonvulsant effect of a subeffective dose of thalidomide (1 and 5 mg/kg, i.p.) at relatively low doses. Meanwhile, several doses of aminoguanidine [an inducible NOS inhibitor] (20, 50 and 100 mg/kg) failed to alter the anticonvulsant effect of thalidomide significantly. In summary, our findings demonstrated that the l-arginine-nitric oxide pathway can be involved in the anticonvulsant properties of thalidomide, and the role of constitutive nNOS is prominent in the reported neuroprotective feature. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Mild zinc deficiency in male and female rats: early postnatal alterations in renal nitric oxide system and morphology.

    PubMed

    Tomat, Analia Lorena; Veiras, Luciana Cecilia; Aguirre, Sofía; Fasoli, Héctor; Elesgaray, Rosana; Caniffi, Carolina; Costa, María Ángeles; Arranz, Cristina Teresa

    2013-03-01

    Fetal and postnatal zinc deficiencies induce an increase in arterial blood pressure and impair renal function in male adult rats. We therefore hypothesized that these renal alterations are present in early stages of life and that there are sexual differences in the adaptations to this nutritional injury. The aim was to study the effects of moderate zinc deficiency during fetal life and lactation on renal morphology, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and the nitric oxide system in male and female rats at 21 d of life. Female Wistar rats received low (8 ppm) or control (30 ppm) zinc diets from the beginning of pregnancy to weaning. Glomerulus number, morphology, oxidative stress, apoptotic cells, nitric oxide synthase activity, and protein expression were evaluated in the kidneys of offspring at 21 d. Zinc deficiency decreased the nephron number, induced glomerular hypertrophy, increased oxidative damage, and decreased nitric oxide synthase activity in the male and female rat kidneys. Nitric oxide synthase activity was not affected by inhibitors of the neuronal or inducible isoforms, so nitric oxide was mainly generated by the endothelial isoenzyme. Gender differences were observed in glomerular areas and antioxidant enzyme activities. Zinc deficiency during fetal life and lactation induces an early decrease in renal functional units, associated with a decrease in nitric oxide activity and an increase in oxidative stress, which would contribute to increased arterial blood pressure and renal dysfunction in adulthood. The sexual differences observed in this model may explain the dissimilar development of hypertension and renal diseases in adult life. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Lipopolysaccharide-induced dopaminergic cell death in rat midbrain slice cultures: role of inducible nitric oxide synthase and protection by indomethacin.

    PubMed

    Shibata, Haruki; Katsuki, Hiroshi; Nishiwaki, Mayumi; Kume, Toshiaki; Kaneko, Shuji; Akaike, Akinori

    2003-09-01

    Glial cell activation associated with inflammatory reaction may contribute to pathogenic processes of neurodegenerative disorders, through production of several cytotoxic molecules. We investigated the consequences of glial activation by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rat midbrain slice cultures. Application of IFN-gamma followed by LPS caused dopaminergic cell death and accompanying increases in nitrite production and lactate dehydrogenase release. Aminoguanidine, an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), or SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, prevented dopaminergic cell loss as well as nitrite production. SB203580 also suppressed expression of iNOS and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) induced by IFN-gamma/LPS. A COX inhibitor indomethacin protected dopaminergic neurons from IFN-gamma/LPS-induced injury, whereas selective COX-2 inhibitors such as NS-398 and nimesulide did not. Notably, indomethacin was able to attenuate neurotoxicity of a nitric oxide (NO) donor. Neutralizing antibodies against tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta did not inhibit dopaminergic cell death caused by IFN-gamma/LPS, although combined application of these antibodies blocked lactate dehydrogenase release and decrease in the number of non-dopaminergic neurons. These results indicate that iNOS-derived NO plays a crucial role in IFN-gamma/LPS-induced dopaminergic cell death, and that indomethacin exerts protective effect by mechanisms probably related to NO neurotoxicity rather than through COX inhibition.

  6. Characterization of Short Range DNA Looping in Endotoxin-mediated Transcription of the Murine Inducible Nitric-oxide Synthase (iNOS) Gene*

    PubMed Central

    Guo, Hongtao; Mi, Zhiyong; Kuo, Paul C.

    2008-01-01

    The local structural properties and spatial conformations of chromosomes are intimately associated with gene expression. The spatial associations of critical genomic elements in inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) transcription have not been previously examined. In this regard, the murine iNOS promoter contains 2 NF-κB binding sites (nt –86 and nt –972) that are essential for maximal transactivation of iNOS by LPS. Although AP-1 is commonly listed as an essential transcription factor for LPS-mediated iNOS transactivation, the relationship between AP-1 and NF-κB in this setting is not well studied. In this study using a model of LPS-stimulated ANA-1 murine macrophages, we demonstrate that short range DNA looping occurs at the iNOS promoter. This looping requires the presence of AP-1, c-Jun, NF-κB p65, and p300-associated acetyltransferase activity. The distal AP-1 binding site interacts via p300 with the proximal NF-κB binding site to create this DNA loop to participate in iNOS transcription. Other geographically distant AP-1 and NF-κB sites are certainly occupied, but selected sites are critical for iNOS transcription and the formation of the c-Jun, p65, and p300 transcriptional complex. In this “simplified” model of murine iNOS promoter, numerous transcription factors recognize and bind to various response elements, but these locales do not equally contribute to iNOS gene transcription. PMID:18596035

  7. Inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibits oxygen consumption in collateral-dependent myocardium

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Yingjie; Zhang, Ping; Li, Jingxin; Xu, Xin

    2013-01-01

    Following coronary artery occlusion growth of collateral vessels can provide an effective blood supply to the dependent myocardium. The ischemia, which results in growth of collateral vessels, recruits an inflammatory response with expression of cytokines and growth factors, upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) in vascular endothelial cells, and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in both vessels and cardiac myocytes. Because NO is a potent collateral vessel dilator, this study examined whether NO derived from iNOS or constitutive NOS regulates myocardial blood flow (MBF) in the collateral region. Nonselective NOS inhibition with NG-nitro-l-arginine (LNA) caused vasoconstriction with a significant decrease in MBF to the collateral region during exercise. In contrast, the highly selective iNOS inhibitor 1400W caused a 21 ± 5% increase of MBF in the collateral region. This increase in MBF following selective iNOS blockade was proportionate to an increase in myocardial O2 consumption (MV̇o2). The results suggest that NO produced by iNOS inhibits MV̇o2 in the collateralized region, so that the increase in MBF following iNOS blockade was the result of metabolic vasodilation secondary to an increase in MV̇o2. Thus the coordinated expression of iNOS to restrain MV̇o2 and eNOS to maintain collateral vasodilation act to optimize the O2 supply-demand relationship and protect the collateralized myocardium from ischemia. PMID:24322607

  8. Inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibits oxygen consumption in collateral-dependent myocardium.

    PubMed

    Chen, Yingjie; Zhang, Ping; Li, Jingxin; Xu, Xin; Bache, Robert J

    2014-02-01

    Following coronary artery occlusion growth of collateral vessels can provide an effective blood supply to the dependent myocardium. The ischemia, which results in growth of collateral vessels, recruits an inflammatory response with expression of cytokines and growth factors, upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) in vascular endothelial cells, and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in both vessels and cardiac myocytes. Because NO is a potent collateral vessel dilator, this study examined whether NO derived from iNOS or constitutive NOS regulates myocardial blood flow (MBF) in the collateral region. Nonselective NOS inhibition with N(G)-nitro-l-arginine (LNA) caused vasoconstriction with a significant decrease in MBF to the collateral region during exercise. In contrast, the highly selective iNOS inhibitor 1400W caused a 21 ± 5% increase of MBF in the collateral region. This increase in MBF following selective iNOS blockade was proportionate to an increase in myocardial O2 consumption (MVo2). The results suggest that NO produced by iNOS inhibits MVo2 in the collateralized region, so that the increase in MBF following iNOS blockade was the result of metabolic vasodilation secondary to an increase in MVo2. Thus the coordinated expression of iNOS to restrain MVo2 and eNOS to maintain collateral vasodilation act to optimize the O2 supply-demand relationship and protect the collateralized myocardium from ischemia.

  9. Connection between the striatal neurokinin-1 receptor and nitric oxide formation during methamphetamine exposure.

    PubMed

    Wang, Jing; Xu, Wenjing; Ali, Syed F; Angulo, Jesus A

    2008-10-01

    Methamphetamine (METH) is a widely used "club drug" that produces neural damage in the brain, including the loss of some neurons. METH-induced striatal neuronal loss has been attenuated by pretreatment with the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist WIN-51,708 in mice. Using a histologic method, we have observed the internalization of the neurokinin-1 receptor into endosomes in the striatal somatostatin/NPY/nitric oxide synthase interneurons. To investigate the role of this interneuron in the striatal cell death induced by METH, we assessed by immunohistochemistry the number of striatal nitric oxide synthase-positive neurons in the presence of METH at 8 and 16 hours after systemic injection of a bolus of METH (30 mg/kg, i.p.). We found the number of striatal nitric oxide synthase-positive neurons unchanged at these time points after METH. In a separate experiment we measured the levels of striatal 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) by HPLC (high-pressure liquid chromatography) as an indirect index of nitric oxide synthesis. METH increased the levels of 3-nitrotyrosine in the striatum and this increase was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with a selective neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist. These observations suggest a causal relationship between the neurokinin-1 receptor and the activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase that warrants further investigation.

  10. Two Dimensional Polymer That Generates Nitric Oxide.

    DOEpatents

    McDonald, William F.; Koren, Amy B.

    2005-10-04

    A polymeric composition that generates nitric oxide and a process for rendering the surface of a substrate nonthrombogenic by applying a coating of the polymeric composition to the substrate are disclosed. The composition comprises: (1) a crosslinked chemical combination of (i) a polymer having amino group-containing side chains along a backbone forming the polymer, and (ii) a crosslinking agent containing functional groups capable of reacting with the amino groups; and (2) a plurality of nitric oxide generating functional groups associated with the crosslinked chemical combination. Once exposed to a physiological environment, the coating generates nitric oxide thereby inhibiting platelet aggregation. In one embodiment, the nitric oxide generating functional groups are provided by a nitrated compound (e.g., nitrocellulose) imbedded in the polymeric composition. In another embodiment, the nitric oxide generating functional groups comprise N2O2- groups covalently bonded to amino groups on the polymer.

  11. Rocuronium Bromide Inhibits Inflammation and Pain by Suppressing Nitric Oxide Production and Enhancing Prostaglandin E2 Synthesis in Endothelial Cells.

    PubMed

    Baek, Sang Bin; Shin, Mal Soon; Han, Jin Hee; Moon, Sang Woong; Chang, Boksoon; Jeon, Jung Won; Yi, Jae Woo; Chung, Jun Young

    2016-12-01

    Rocuronium bromide is a nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking drug and has been used as an adjunct for relaxation or paralysis of the skeletal muscles, facilitation of endotracheal intubation, and improving surgical conditions during general anesthesia. However, intravenous injection of rocuronium bromide induces injection pain or withdrawal movement. The exact mechanism of rocuronium bromide-induced injection pain or withdrawal movement is not yet understood. We investigated whether rocuronium bromide treatment is involved in the induction of inflammation and pain in vascular endothelial cells. For this study, calf pulmonary artery endothelial (CPAE) cells were used, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, Western blot, nitric oxide detection, and prostaglandin E 2 immunoassay were conducted. Rocuronium bromide treatment inhibited endothelial nitric oxide synthase and suppressed nitric oxide production in CPAE cells. Rocuronium bromide activated cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase and increased prostaglandin E 2 synthesis in CPAE cells. Rocuronium bromide induced inflammation and pain in CPAE cells. Suppressing nitric oxide production and enhancing prostaglandin E 2 synthesis might be associated with rocuronium bromide-induced injection pain or withdrawal movement.

  12. Inhibition by sodium nitroprusside of the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in rat neutrophils.

    PubMed Central

    Mariotto, S; Cuzzolin, L; Adami, A; Del Soldato, P; Suzuki, H; Benoni, G

    1995-01-01

    A well-known nitric oxide (NO)-releasing compound, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), decreases in a dose-dependent manner NO synthase (NOS) activity induced in rat neutrophils by treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This inhibitory action of SNP seems not to be due to its direct effect on the enzyme activity. The strong nitrosonium ion (NO+) character of SNP could be responsible for its inhibition of NOS induction in neutrophils. PMID:7542530

  13. Nitric oxide synthase modulates CFA-induced thermal hyperalgesia through cytokine regulation in mice.

    PubMed

    Chen, Yong; Boettger, Michael K; Reif, Andreas; Schmitt, Angelika; Uçeyler, Nurcan; Sommer, Claudia

    2010-03-02

    Although it has been largely demonstrated that nitric oxide synthase (NOS), a key enzyme for nitric oxide (NO) production, modulates inflammatory pain, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain to be clarified. Here we asked whether cytokines, which have well-described roles in inflammatory pain, are downstream targets of NO in inflammatory pain and which of the isoforms of NOS are involved in this process. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) pretreatment with 7-nitroindazole sodium salt (7-NINA, a selective neuronal NOS inhibitor), aminoguanidine hydrochloride (AG, a selective inducible NOS inhibitor), L-N(G)-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME, a non-selective NOS inhibitor), but not L-N(5)-(1-iminoethyl)-ornithine (L-NIO, a selective endothelial NOS inhibitor), significantly attenuated thermal hyperalgesia induced by intraplantar (i.pl.) injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed a significant increase of nNOS, iNOS, and eNOS gene expression, as well as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene expression in plantar skin, following CFA. Pretreatment with the NOS inhibitors prevented the CFA-induced increase of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF and IL-1beta. The increase of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was augmented in mice pretreated with 7-NINA or L-NAME, but reduced in mice receiving AG or L-NIO. NNOS-, iNOS- or eNOS-knockout (KO) mice had lower gene expression of TNF, IL-1beta, and IL-10 following CFA, overall corroborating the inhibitor data. These findings lead us to propose that inhibition of NOS modulates inflammatory thermal hyperalgesia by regulating cytokine expression.

  14. Interactions between cytokines and nitric oxide.

    PubMed

    Liew, F Y

    1995-01-01

    There is now an impressive range of evidence supporting the important role of cytokines in sleep regulation (see Krueger et al., 1995; De Simoni et al., 1995). It has also been reported that inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis suppresses sleep in rabbits (Kapás et al., 1994). This is not surprising, since NO is closely involved in neurotransmission (Garthwaite, 1991; Schuman and Madison, 1994) and cytokines are the major inducers of NO synthesis (Hibbs et al., 1990). Further, it is now clear that NO plays an important role in modulating immune responses, possibly through the differential regulation of cytokine synthesis (Taylor-Robinson et al., 1994). In this article, I will provide evidence for the interactions between cytokines and nitric oxide, and discuss their implications in the regulation of immune responses. I shall illustrate these mainly with results from my coworkers and I, from our laboratory rather than attempting an exhaustive review of the subject.

  15. Prevention of the pulmonary vasoconstrictor effects of HBOC-201 in awake lambs by continuously breathing nitric oxide.

    PubMed

    Yu, Binglan; Volpato, Gian Paolo; Chang, Keqin; Bloch, Kenneth D; Zapol, Warren M

    2009-01-01

    Hemoglobin-based oxygen-carrying solutions (HBOC) provide emergency alternatives to blood transfusion to carry oxygen to tissues without the risks of disease transmission or transfusion reaction. Two primary concerns hampering the clinical acceptance of acellular HBOC are the occurrence of systemic and pulmonary vasoconstriction and the maintenance of the heme-iron in the reduced state (Fe2+). We recently demonstrated that pretreatment with inhaled nitric oxide prevents the systemic hypertension induced by HBOC-201 (polymerized bovine hemoglobin) infusion in awake mice and sheep without causing methemoglobinemia. However, the impact of HBOC-201 infusion with or without inhaled nitric oxide on pulmonary vascular tone has not yet been examined. The pulmonary and systemic hemodynamic effects of breathing nitric oxide both before and after the administration of HBOC-201 were determined in healthy, awake lambs. Intravenous administration of HBOC-201 (12 ml/kg) induced prolonged systemic and pulmonary vasoconstriction. Pretreatment with inhaled nitric oxide (80 parts per million [ppm] for 1 h) prevented the HBOC-201--induced increase in mean arterial pressure but not the increase of pulmonary arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance, or pulmonary vascular resistance. Pretreatment with inhaled nitric oxide (80 ppm for 1 h) followed by breathing a lower concentration of nitric oxide (5 ppm) during and after HBOC-201 infusion prevented systemic and pulmonary vasoconstriction without increasing methemoglobin levels. These findings demonstrate that pretreatment with inhaled nitric oxide followed by breathing a lower concentration of the gas during and after administration of HBOC-201 may enable administration of an acellular hemoglobin substitute without vasoconstriction while preserving its oxygen-carrying capacity.

  16. Detection of Endotoxin Contamination of Graphene Based Materials Using the TNF-α Expression Test and Guidelines for Endotoxin-Free Graphene Oxide Production.

    PubMed

    Mukherjee, Sourav P; Lozano, Neus; Kucki, Melanie; Del Rio-Castillo, Antonio E; Newman, Leon; Vázquez, Ester; Kostarelos, Kostas; Wick, Peter; Fadeel, Bengt

    2016-01-01

    Nanomaterials may be contaminated with bacterial endotoxin during production and handling, which may confound toxicological testing of these materials, not least when assessing for immunotoxicity. In the present study, we evaluated the conventional Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay for endotoxin detection in graphene based material (GBM) samples, including graphene oxide (GO) and few-layered graphene (FLG). Our results showed that some GO samples interfered with various formats of the LAL assay. To overcome this problem, we developed a TNF-α expression test (TET) using primary human monocyte-derived macrophages incubated in the presence or absence of the endotoxin inhibitor, polymyxin B sulfate, and found that this assay, performed with non-cytotoxic doses of the GBM samples, enabled unequivocal detection of endotoxin with a sensitivity that is comparable to the LAL assay. FLG also triggered TNF-α production in the presence of the LPS inhibitor, pointing to an intrinsic pro-inflammatory effect. Finally, we present guidelines for the preparation of endotoxin-free GO, validated by using the TET.

  17. Tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 1 as mediators of endotoxin-induced beneficial effects

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Urbaschek, R.; Urbaschek, B.

    Bacterial lipopolysaccharides or endotoxins are known to induce tumor necrosis; enhanced nonspecific resistance to bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections and to radiation sickness; and tolerance to lethal doses of endotoxin. These beneficial effects are achieved by pretreatment with minute amounts of endotoxin. Recombinant tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1 (IL-1) are among the mediators capable of invoking radioprotection or resistance to the consequences of cecal ligation and puncture. Both cytokines are potent inducers of serum colony-stimulating factor (CSF) in C3H/HeJ mice (low responders to endotoxin). The number of splenic granulocyte-macrophage precursors was found to increase 5 days after injectionmore » of TNF in these mice. Although with IL-1 no increase in the number of granulocyte-macrophage colonies occurred in culture in the presence of serum CSF, a marked stimulation was observed when TNF was added. This stimulation of myelopoiesis observed in vivo and in vitro may be related to the radioprotective effect of TNF. The data presented suggest that TNF and IL-1 released after injection of endotoxin participate in the mediation of endotoxin-induced enhancement of nonspecific resistance and stimulation of hematopoiesis. 76 references.« less

  18. Low concentrations of salicylic acid delay methyl jasmonate-induced leaf senescence by up-regulating nitric oxide synthase activity.

    PubMed

    Ji, Yingbin; Liu, Jian; Xing, Da

    2016-09-01

    In plants, extensive efforts have been devoted to understanding the crosstalk between salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) signaling in pathogen defenses, but this crosstalk has scarcely been addressed during senescence. In this study, the effect of SA application on methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-induced leaf senescence was assessed. We found that low concentrations of SA (1-50 μM) played a delayed role against the senescence promoted by MeJA. Furthermore, low concentrations of SA enhanced plant antioxidant defenses and restricted reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in MeJA-treated leaves. When applied simultaneously with MeJA, low concentrations of SA triggered a nitric oxide (NO) burst, and the elevated NO levels were linked to the nitric oxide associated 1 (NOA1)-dependent pathway via nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. The ability of SA to up-regulate plant antioxidant defenses, reduce ROS accumulation, and suppress leaf senescence was lost in NO-deficient Atnoa1 plants. In a converse manner, exogenous addition of NO donors increased the plant antioxidant capacity and lowered the ROS levels in MeJA-treated leaves. Taken together, the results indicate that SA at low concentrations counteracts MeJA-induced leaf senescence through NOA1-dependent NO signaling and strengthening of the antioxidant defense. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  19. An Anti-Interleukin-2 Receptor Drug Attenuates T- Helper 1 Lymphocytes-Mediated Inflammation in an Acute Model of Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis

    PubMed Central

    Navea, Amparo; Almansa, Inmaculada; Muriach, María; Bosch-Morell, Francisco

    2014-01-01

    The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of Daclizumab, an anti-interleukin-2 receptor drug, in an experimental uveitis model upon a subcutaneous injection of lipopolysaccharide into Lewis rats, a valuable model for ocular acute inflammatory processes. The integrity of the blood-aqueous barrier was assessed 24 h after endotoxin-induced uveitis by evaluating two parameters: cell count and protein concentration in aqueous humors. The histopathology of all the ocular structures (cornea, lens, sclera, choroid, retina, uvea, and anterior and posterior chambers) was also considered. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of the aqueous humor samples were performed to quantify the levels of the different chemokine and cytokine proteins. Similarly, a biochemical analysis of oxidative stress-related markers was also assessed. The inflammation observed in the anterior chamber of the eyes when Daclizumab was administered with endotoxin was largely prevented since the aqueous humor protein concentration substantially lowered concomitantly with a significant reduction in the uveal and vitreous histopathological grading. Th1 lymphocytes-related cytokines, such as Interleukin-2 and Interferon-γ, also significantly reduced with related anti-oxidant systems recovery. Daclizumab treatment in endotoxin-induced uveitis reduced Th1 lymphocytes-related cytokines, such as Interleukin-2 and Interferon gamma, by about 60–70% and presented a preventive role in endotoxin-induced oxidative stress. This antioxidant protective effect of Daclizumab may be related to several of the observed Daclizumab effects in our study, including IL-6 cytokine regulatory properties and a substantial concomitant drop in INFγ. Concurrently, Daclizumab treatment triggered a significant reduction in both the uveal histopathological grading and protein concentration in aqueous humors, but not in cellular infiltration. PMID:24595020

  20. Protection against endotoxin-induced foetal resorption in mice by desferrioxamine and ebselen.

    PubMed Central

    Gower, J. D.; Baldock, R. J.; O'Sullivan, A. M.; Doré, C. J.; Coid, C. R.; Green, C. J.

    1990-01-01

    Endotoxin was administered to mice on their 13th day of pregnancy at doses which caused the resorption of approximately 50% of the implanted foetuses. The iron chelator desferrioxamine was found to significantly inhibit the percentage of resorptions induced by endotoxin in a dose-dependent manner. The highest dose of desferrioxamine (5 mg) given intravenously 30 min prior to, immediately after, and 4 and 24 h after endotoxin inoculation, reduced the percentage of resorptions from 56.9 to 17.9%. Administration of the novel selenium-containing compound ebselen, which is both an antioxidant and an inhibitor of leukotriene synthesis, was also found to significantly protect against endotoxin-induced foetal resorptions, reducing the percentage of resorbed foetuses from 52.9 to 26.0% when given at a dose of 50 mg/kg (s.c.) at the time of endotoxin inoculation and 24 and 48 h following. Both these compounds also significantly reduced the increase in spleen weights observed when the mice were given endotoxin. These results provide evidence that the iron-catalysed production of hydroxyl radicals from other oxygen-derived species and the formation of leukotrienes play an important role in the mechanism by which endotoxin causes foetal resorptions in the mouse. PMID:2205283

  1. Yomogin, an inhibitor of nitric oxide production in LPS-activated macrophages.

    PubMed

    Ryu, J H; Lee, H J; Jeong, Y S; Ryu, S Y; Han, Y N

    1998-08-01

    In activated macrophages the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS) generates high amounts of toxic mediator, nitric oxide (NO) which contributes to the circulatory failure associated with septic shock. A sesquiterpene lactone compound (yomogin) isolated from medicinal plant Artemisia princeps Pampan inhibited the production of NO in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells by suppressing i-NOS enzyme expression. Thus, yomogin may be a useful candidate for the development of new drugs to treat endotoxemia and inflammation accompanied by the overproduction of NO.

  2. Differential cytokine expression in skin graft healing in inducible nitric oxide synthase knockout mice.

    PubMed

    Most, D; Efron, D T; Shi, H P; Tantry, U S; Barbul, A

    2001-10-01

    Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and its product, nitric oxide, have been shown to play important roles in wound biology. The present study was performed to investigate the role of iNOS in modulating the cytokine cascade during the complex process of skin graft wound healing.Fifteen iNOS-knockout mice and 15 wild-type C57BL/6J mice were subjected to autogenous 1-cm2 intrascapular full-thickness skin grafts. Three animals in each group were killed on postoperative days 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14. Specimens were then analyzed using nonisotopic in situ hybridization versus mRNA of tumor growth factor-beta1, vascular endothelial growth factor, iNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and basic fibroblast growth factor, as well as positive and negative control probes. Positive cells in both grafts and wound beds were counted using a Leica microgrid. Scar thickness was measured with a Leica micrometer. Data were analyzed using the unpaired Student's t test. Expression of iNOS was 2- to 4-fold higher in knockout mice than in wild-type mice on postoperative days 5, 7, and 14. Expression of eNOS was 2- to 2.5-fold higher in knockout mice than in wild-type mice on postoperative days 5 and 7. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression was 2- to 7-fold higher in knockout mice than in wild-type mice on all postoperative days. In contrast, expression levels of angiogenic/fibrogenic cytokines (vascular endothelial growth factor, basis fibroblast growth factor, and tumor growth factor-beta1) were 2.5- to 4-fold higher in wild-type mice than in knockout mice. Scars were 1.5- to 2.5-fold thicker in knockout mice than in wild-type mice at all time points. All of the above results represent statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Significantly different patterns of cytokine expression were seen in knockout and wild-type mice. Although the scar layer was thicker in knockout mice, it showed much greater infiltration with inflammatory cells. These

  3. Nitric oxide

    Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)

    Nitric oxide ; CASRN 10102 - 43 - 9 Human health assessment information on a chemical substance is included in the IRIS database only after a comprehensive review of toxicity data , as outlined in the IRIS assessment development process . Sections I ( Health Hazard Assessments for Noncarcinogenic Ef

  4. Changes in the nitric oxide system in the shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus (Crustacea, Decapoda) CNS induced by a nociceptive stimulus.

    PubMed

    Dyuizen, Inessa V; Kotsyuba, Elena P; Lamash, Nina E

    2012-08-01

    Using NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting, we characterized the nitric oxide (NO)-producing neurons in the brain and thoracic ganglion of a shore crab subjected to a nociceptive chemical stimulus. Formalin injection into the cheliped evoked specific nociceptive behavior and neurochemical responses in the brain and thoracic ganglion of experimental animals. Within 5-10 min of injury, the NADPH-d activity increased mainly in the neuropils of the olfactory lobes and the lateral antenna I neuropil on the side of injury. Later, the noxious-induced expression of NADPH-d and iNOS was detected in neurons of the brain, as well as in segmental motoneurons and interneurons of the thoracic ganglion. Western blotting analysis showed that an iNOS antiserum recognized a band at 120 kDa, in agreement with the expected molecular mass of the protein. The increase in nitrergic activity induced by nociceptive stimulation suggests that the NO signaling system may modulate nociceptive behavior in crabs.

  5. L-citrulline immunostaining identifies nitric oxide production sites within neurons

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Martinelli, G. P. T.; Friedrich, V. L. Jr; Holstein, G. R.

    2002-01-01

    The cellular and subcellular localization of L-citrulline was analyzed in the adult rat brain and compared with that of traditional markers for the presence of nitric oxide synthase. Light, transmission electron, and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to study tissue sections processed for immunocytochemistry employing a monoclonal antibody against L-citrulline or polyclonal anti-neuronal nitric oxide synthase sera, and double immunofluorescence to detect neuronal nitric oxide synthase and L-citrulline co-localization. The results demonstrate that the same CNS regions and cell types are labeled by neuronal nitric oxide synthase polyclonal antisera and L-citrulline monoclonal antibodies, using both immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence. Short-term pretreatment with a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor reduces L-citrulline immunostaining, but does not affect neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity. In the vestibular brainstem, double immunofluorescence studies show that many, but not all, neuronal nitric oxide synthase-positive cells co-express L-citrulline, and that local intracellular patches of intense L-citrulline accumulation are present in some neurons. Conversely, all L-citrulline-labeled neurons co-express neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Cells expressing neuronal nitric oxide synthase alone are interpreted as neurons with the potential to produce nitric oxide under other stimulus conditions, and the subcellular foci of enhanced L-citrulline staining are viewed as intracellular sites of nitric oxide production. This interpretation is supported by ultrastructural observations of subcellular foci with enhanced L-citrulline and/or neuronal nitric oxide synthase staining that are located primarily at postsynaptic densities and portions of the endoplasmic reticulum. We conclude that nitric oxide is produced and released at focal sites within neurons that are identifiable using L-citrulline as a marker. Copyright 2002 IBRO.

  6. Anticonvulsant effect of minocycline on pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure in mice: involvement of nitric oxide and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor.

    PubMed

    Amini-Khoei, Hossein; Kordjazy, Nastaran; Haj-Mirzaian, Arya; Amiri, Shayan; Haj-Mirzaian, Arvin; Shirzadian, Armin; Hasanvand, Amin; Balali-Dehkordi, Shima; Hassanipoor, Mahsa; Dehpour, Ahmad Reza

    2018-03-20

    Anticonvulsant effects of minocycline have been explored recently. This study was designed to examine the anticonvulsant effect of acute administration of minocycline on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in mouse considering the possible role of nitric oxide (NO)/NMDA pathway. We induced seizure using intravenous administration of PTZ. Our results showed that acute administration of minocycline increased the seizure threshold. Furthermore, co-administration of sub-effective doses of the non-selective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, L-NAME (10 mg/kg) and the neuronal NOS inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole (40 mg/kg) enhanced the anticonvulsant effect of sub-effective dose of minocycline (40 mg/kg). We found that inducible NOS inhibitor, aminoguanidine (100 mg/kg), had no effect on the anti-seizure effect of minocycline. Moreover, L-arginine (60 mg/kg), as a NOS substrate, reduced the anticonvulsant effect of minocycline. We also demonstrated that pretreatment with NMDA receptor antagonists, ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) and MK-801 (0.05 mg/kg) increased the anticonvulsant effect of sub-effective dose of minocycline. Results showed that minocycline significantly decreased the hippocampal nitrite level. Furthermore, co-administration of nNOS inhibitor like NMDA receptor antagonists augmented the effect of minocycline on the hippocampal nitrite level. In conclusion, we revealed that anticonvulsant effect of minocycline might be, at least in part, due to decline in constitutive hippocampal nitric oxide activity as well as inhibition of NMDA receptors.

  7. The neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole, protects against methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity in vivo.

    PubMed

    Itzhak, Y; Ali, S F

    1996-10-01

    The present study was undertaken to investigate whether the relatively selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), protects against methamphetamine (METH)-induced neurotoxicity. Male Swiss Webster mice received the following treatments (i.p.; q 3 h x 3): (a) vehicle/saline, (b) 7-NI (25 mg/kg)/saline, (c) vehicle/METH (5 mg/kg), and (d) 7-NI (25 mg/kg)/METH (5 mg/kg). On the second day, groups (a) and (b) received two vehicle injections, and groups (c) and (d) received two 7-NI injections (25 mg/kg, each). Administration of vehicle/METH resulted in 68, 44, and 55% decreases in the concentration of dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and homovanillic acid, respectively, and a 48% decrease in the number of [3H]mazindol binding sites in the striatum compared with control values. Treatment with 7-NI (group d) provided full protection against the depletion of dopamine and its metabolites and the loss of dopamine transporter binding sites. Administration of 7-NI/saline (group b) affected neither the tissue concentration of dopamine and its metabolites nor the binding parameters of [3H] mazindol compared with control values. 7-NI had no significant effect on animals' body temperature, and it did not affect METH-induced hyperthermia. These findings indicate a role for nitric oxide in methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity and also suggest that blockade of NOS may be beneficial for the management of Parkinson's disease.

  8. [Nitric oxide pathway and female lower urinary tract. Physiological and pathophysiological role].

    PubMed

    Gamé, X; Rischmann, P; Arnal, J-F; Malavaud, B

    2013-09-01

    The aim was to review the literature on nitric oxide and female lower urinary tract. A literature review through the PubMed library until December, 31 2012 was carried out using the following keywords: lower urinary tract, bladder, urethra, nervous central system, innervation, female, women, nitric oxide, phosphodiesterase, bladder outlet obstruction, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, urinary tract infection. Two nitric oxide synthase isoforms, the neuronal (nNOS) and the endothelial (eNOS), are constitutively expressed in the lower urinary tract. Nevertheless, nNOS is mainly expressed in the bladder neck and the urethra. In the bladder, NO modulates the afferent neurons activity. In pathological condition, inducible NOS expression induces an increase in detrusor contractility and bladder wall thickness and eNOS facilitates Escherichia coli bladder wall invasion inducing recurrent urinary tract infections. In the urethra, NO play a major role in smooth muscle cells relaxation. The NO pathway plays a major role in the female lower urinary tract physiology and physiopathology. While it acts mainly on bladder outlet, in pathological condition, it is involved in bladder dysfunction occurrence. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  9. Inducible Nitric Oxide Inhibitors Block NMDA Antagonist-Stimulated Motoric Behaviors and Medial Prefrontal Cortical Glutamate Efflux

    PubMed Central

    Bergstrom, Hadley C.; Darvesh, Altaf S.; Berger, S. P.

    2015-01-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) plays a critical role in the motoric and glutamate releasing action of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-antagonist stimulants. Earlier studies utilized neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitors (nNOS) for studying the neurobehavioral effects of non-competitive NMDA-antagonist stimulants such as dizocilpine (MK-801) and phencyclidine (PCP). This study explores the role of the inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitors (iNOS) aminoguanidine (AG) and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in NMDA-antagonist induced motoric behavior and prefrontal cortical glutamate efflux. Adult male rats were administered a dose range of AG, EGCG, or vehicle prior to receiving NMDA antagonists MK-801, PCP, or a conventional psychostimulant (cocaine) and tested for motoric behavior in an open arena. Glutamate in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was measured using in vivo microdialysis after a combination of AG or EGCG prior to MK-801. Acute administration of AG or EGCG dose-dependently attenuated the locomotor and ataxic properties of MK-801 and PCP. Both AG and EGCG were unable to block the motoric effects of cocaine, indicating the acute pharmacologic action of AG and EGCG is specific to NMDA antagonism and not generalizable to all stimulant class drugs. AG and EGCG normalized MK-801-stimulated mPFC glutamate efflux. These data demonstrate that AG and EGCG attenuates NMDA antagonist-stimulated motoric behavior and cortical glutamate efflux. Our results suggest that EGCG-like polyphenol nutraceuticals (contained in “green tea” and chocolate) may be clinically useful in protecting against the adverse behavioral dissociative and cortical glutamate stimulating effects of NMDA antagonists. Medications that interfere with NMDA antagonists such as MK-801 and PCP have been proposed as treatments for schizophrenia. PMID:26696891

  10. Candidate's thesis: Platelet-activating factor-induced hearing loss: mediated by nitric oxide?

    PubMed

    Rhee, Chung-Ku

    2003-12-01

    Platelet-activating factor (PAF)in middle ear effusion is thought to induce hearing loss. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the mechanism of PAF-induced hearing loss by studying the effects of PAF application on the round window membrane (RWM) with and without PAF-antagonist NO-blocker. Longitudinal study on randomized guinea pigs using PAF to induce hearing loss. METHODS Guinea pigs were divided into four groups: PBS, PAF, PAF-antagonist, and L-NAME. The PBS group received phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and the PAF groups received 10, 20, and 40 microg of PAF soaked into gelfoam and placed on the RWM. PAF-antagonist (WEB 2170) and NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine-methylester (L-NAME) were injected intraperitoneally prior to PAF 20 microg application on the RWM. The following three tests were performed on each animal group: Hearing was tested with an auditory brainstem response (ABR) test over 24 hours. At the end of 24 hours, cochlear hair cells were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunohistochemistry was carried out on the cochlea to test the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The PAF group developed significant elevation of ABR threshold and cochlear hair cell damage in the SEM group as compared with the PBS control group. The PAF-antagonist (WEB 2170) and the L-NAME groups did not show significant elevation of ABR threshold and cochlear hair cell damage compared with the group administered PAF 20 microg, but in the PAF-antagonist group, the elevation of ABR threshold was significant compared with that of the PBS control group, whereas it was not significant compared with the PBS group in the L-NAME group. Strong expression of iNOS on cochlea was observed in the PAF group and lighter expression was seen in PBS, WEB 2170, and L-NAME groups. This study demonstrated that PAF placed on the RWM induced hearing loss and cochlear hair cell damage. The PAF-antagonists and L

  11. Effect of endogenous nitric oxide on mitochondrial respiration of rat hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Stadler, J.; Curran, R.D.; Ochoa, J.B.

    1991-02-01

    Nitric oxide, a highly reactive radical, was recently identified as an intermediate of L-arginine metabolism in mammalian cells. We have shown that nitric oxide synthesis is induced in vitro in cultured hepatocytes by supernatants from activated Kupffer cells or in vivo by injecting rats with nonviable Corynebacterium parvum. In both cases, nitric oxide biosynthesis in hepatocytes was associated with suppression of total protein synthesis. This study attempts to determine the effect of nitric oxide biosynthesis on the activity of specific hepatocytic mitochondrial enzymes and to determine whether inhibition of protein synthesis is caused by suppression of energy metabolism. Exposure ofmore » hepatocytes to supernatants from activated Kupffer cells led to a 30% decrease of aconitase (Krebs cycle) and complex I (mitochondrial electron transport chain) activity. Using NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, we demonstrated that the inhibition of mitochondrial aconitase activity was due, in part, to the action of nitric oxide. In contrast, in vivo nitric oxide synthesis of hepatocytes from Corynebacterium parvum-treated animals had no effect on mitochondrial respiration. This suggests that inhibition of protein synthesis by nitric oxide is not likely to be mediated by inhibition of energy metabolism.« less

  12. The role of nitric oxide radicals in removal of hyper-radiosensitivity by priming irradiation

    PubMed Central

    Edin, Nina Jeppesen; Sandvik, Joe Alexander; Vollan, Hilde Synnøve; Reger, Katharina; Görlach, Agnes; Pettersen, Erik Olai

    2013-01-01

    In this study, a mechanism in which low-dose hyper-radiosensitivity (HRS) is permanently removed, induced by low-dose-rate (LDR) (0.2–0.3 Gy/h for 1 h) but not by high-dose-rate priming (0.3 Gy at 40 Gy/h) was investigated. One HRS-negative cell line (NHIK 3025) and two HRS-positive cell lines (T-47D, T98G) were used. The effects of different pretreatments on HRS were investigated using the colony assay. Cell-based ELISA was used to measure nitric oxide synthase (NOS) levels, and microarray analysis to compare gene expression in primed and unprimed cells. The data show how permanent removal of HRS, previously found to be induced by LDR priming irradiation, can also be induced by addition of nitric oxide (NO)-donor DEANO combined with either high-dose-rate priming or exposure to prolonged cycling hypoxia followed by reoxygenation, a treatment not involving radiation. The removal of HRS appears not to involve DNA damage induced during priming irradiation as it was also induced by LDR irradiation of cell-conditioned medium without cells present. The permanent removal of HRS in LDR-primed cells was reversed by treatment with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor 1400W. Furthermore, 1400W could also induce HRS in an HRS-negative cell line. The data suggest that LDR irradiation for 1 h, but not 15 min, activates iNOS, and also that sustained iNOS activation is necessary for the permanent removal of HRS by LDR priming. The data indicate that nitric oxide production is involved in the regulatory processes determining cellular responses to low-dose-rate irradiation. PMID:23685670

  13. Nitric oxide induced by polyamines involves antioxidant systems against chilling stress in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seedling.

    PubMed

    Diao, Qian-Nan; Song, Yong-Jun; Shi, Dong-Mei; Qi, Hong-Yan

    Polyamines (PAs) and nitric oxide (NO) are vital signals in modulating plant response to abiotic stress. However, to our knowledge, studies on the relationship between NO and PAs in response to cold stress in tomato are limited. Accordingly, in this study, we investigated the effects of putrescine (Put) and spermidine (Spd) on NO generation and the function of Spd-induced NO in the tolerance of tomato seedling under chilling stress. Spd increased NO release via the nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-like and nitrate reductase (NR) enzymatic pathways in the seedlings, whereas Put had no such effect. Moreover, H 2 O 2 might act as an upstream signal to stimulate NO production. Both exogenous NO donor (sodium nitroprusside (SNP)) and Spd enhanced chilling tolerance in tomato, thereby protecting the photosynthetic system from damage. Compared to chilling treatment alone, Spd enhanced the gene expressions of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and their enzyme activities in tomato leaves. However, a scavenger or inhibitor of NO abolished Spd-induced chilling tolerance and blocked the increased expression and activity due to Spd of these antioxidant enzymes in tomato leaves under chilling stress. The results showed that NO induced by Spd plays a crucial role in tomato's response to chilling stress.

  14. Nitric oxide induced by polyamines involves antioxidant systems against chilling stress in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seedling*#

    PubMed Central

    Diao, Qian-Nan; Song, Yong-Jun; Shi, Dong-Mei; Qi, Hong-Yan

    2016-01-01

    Polyamines (PAs) and nitric oxide (NO) are vital signals in modulating plant response to abiotic stress. However, to our knowledge, studies on the relationship between NO and PAs in response to cold stress in tomato are limited. Accordingly, in this study, we investigated the effects of putrescine (Put) and spermidine (Spd) on NO generation and the function of Spd-induced NO in the tolerance of tomato seedling under chilling stress. Spd increased NO release via the nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-like and nitrate reductase (NR) enzymatic pathways in the seedlings, whereas Put had no such effect. Moreover, H2O2 might act as an upstream signal to stimulate NO production. Both exogenous NO donor (sodium nitroprusside (SNP)) and Spd enhanced chilling tolerance in tomato, thereby protecting the photosynthetic system from damage. Compared to chilling treatment alone, Spd enhanced the gene expressions of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and their enzyme activities in tomato leaves. However, a scavenger or inhibitor of NO abolished Spd-induced chilling tolerance and blocked the increased expression and activity due to Spd of these antioxidant enzymes in tomato leaves under chilling stress. The results showed that NO induced by Spd plays a crucial role in tomato’s response to chilling stress. PMID:27921397

  15. Nitric oxide scavengers differentially inhibit ammonia oxidation in ammonia-oxidizing archaea and bacteria.

    PubMed

    Sauder, Laura A; Ross, Ashley A; Neufeld, Josh D

    2016-04-01

    Differential inhibitors are important for measuring the relative contributions of microbial groups, such as ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), to biogeochemical processes in environmental samples. In particular, 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide (PTIO) represents a nitric oxide scavenger used for the specific inhibition of AOA, implicating nitric oxide as an intermediate of thaumarchaeotal ammonia oxidation. This study investigated four alternative nitric oxide scavengers for their ability to differentially inhibit AOA and AOB in comparison to PTIO. Caffeic acid, curcumin, methylene blue hydrate and trolox were tested onNitrosopumilus maritimus, two unpublished AOA representatives (AOA-6f and AOA-G6) as well as the AOB representative Nitrosomonas europaea All four scavengers inhibited ammonia oxidation by AOA at lower concentrations than for AOB. In particular, differential inhibition of AOA and AOB by caffeic acid (100 μM) and methylene blue hydrate (3 μM) was comparable to carboxy-PTIO (100 μM) in pure and enrichment culture incubations. However, when added to aquarium sponge biofilm microcosms, both scavengers were unable to inhibit ammonia oxidation consistently, likely due to degradation of the inhibitors themselves. This study provides evidence that a variety of nitric oxide scavengers result in differential inhibition of ammonia oxidation in AOA and AOB, and provides support to the proposed role of nitric oxide as a key intermediate in the thaumarchaeotal ammonia oxidation pathway. © FEMS 2016. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  16. NOpiates: Novel Dual Action Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitors with μ-Opioid Agonist Activity.

    PubMed

    Renton, Paul; Green, Brenda; Maddaford, Shawn; Rakhit, Suman; Andrews, John S

    2012-03-08

    A novel series of benzimidazole designed multiple ligands (DMLs) with activity at the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) enzyme and the μ-opioid receptor was developed. Targeting of the structurally dissimilar heme-containing enzyme and the μ-opioid GPCR was predicated on the modulatory role of nitric oxide on μ-opioid receptor function. Structure-activity relationship studies yielded lead compound 24 with excellent nNOS inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.44 μM), selectivity over both endothelial nitric oxide synthase (10-fold) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (125-fold), and potent μ-opioid binding affinity, K i = 5.4 nM. The functional activity as measured in the cyclic adenosine monosphospate secondary messenger assay resulted in full agonist activity (EC50 = 0.34 μM). This work represents a novel approach in the development of new analgesics for the treatment of pain.

  17. Nitric Oxide Plays a Key Role in Ovariectomy-Induced Apoptosis in Anterior Pituitary: Interplay between Nitric Oxide Pathway and Estrogen.

    PubMed

    Ronchetti, Sonia A; Machiavelli, Leticia I; Quinteros, Fernanda A; Duvilanski, Beatriz H; Cabilla, Jimena P

    2016-01-01

    Changes in the estrogenic status produce deep changes in pituitary physiology, mainly because estrogens (E2) are one of the main regulators of pituitary cell population. Also, E2 negatively regulate pituitary neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activity and expression and may thereby modulate the production of nitric oxide (NO), an important regulator of cell death and survival. Little is known about how ovary ablation affects anterior pituitary cell remodelling and molecular mechanisms that regulate this process have not yet been elucidated. In this work we used freshly dispersed anterior pituitaries as well as cell cultures from ovariectomized female rats in order to study whether E2 deficiency induces apoptosis in the anterior pituitary cells, the role of NO in this process and effects of E2 on the NO pathway. Our results showed that cell activity gradually decreases after ovariectomy (OVX) as a consequence of cell death, which is completely prevented by a pan-caspase inhibitor. Furthermore, there is an increase of fragmented nuclei and DNA cleavage thereby presenting the first direct evidence of the existence of apoptosis in the anterior pituitary gland after OVX. NO production and soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) expression in anterior pituitary cells increased concomitantly to the apoptosis. Inhibition of both, NO synthase (NOS) and sGC activities prevented the drop of cell viability after OVX, showing for the first time that increased NO levels and sGC activity observed post-OVX play a key role in the induction of apoptosis. Conversely, E2 and prolactin treatments decreased nNOS expression and activity in pituitary cells from OVX rats in a time- and E2 receptor-dependent manner, thus suggesting interplay between NO and E2 pathways in anterior pituitary.

  18. Nitric Oxide Plays a Key Role in Ovariectomy-Induced Apoptosis in Anterior Pituitary: Interplay between Nitric Oxide Pathway and Estrogen

    PubMed Central

    Quinteros, Fernanda A.; Duvilanski, Beatriz H.; Cabilla, Jimena P.

    2016-01-01

    Changes in the estrogenic status produce deep changes in pituitary physiology, mainly because estrogens (E2) are one of the main regulators of pituitary cell population. Also, E2 negatively regulate pituitary neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activity and expression and may thereby modulate the production of nitric oxide (NO), an important regulator of cell death and survival. Little is known about how ovary ablation affects anterior pituitary cell remodelling and molecular mechanisms that regulate this process have not yet been elucidated. In this work we used freshly dispersed anterior pituitaries as well as cell cultures from ovariectomized female rats in order to study whether E2 deficiency induces apoptosis in the anterior pituitary cells, the role of NO in this process and effects of E2 on the NO pathway. Our results showed that cell activity gradually decreases after ovariectomy (OVX) as a consequence of cell death, which is completely prevented by a pan-caspase inhibitor. Furthermore, there is an increase of fragmented nuclei and DNA cleavage thereby presenting the first direct evidence of the existence of apoptosis in the anterior pituitary gland after OVX. NO production and soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) expression in anterior pituitary cells increased concomitantly to the apoptosis. Inhibition of both, NO synthase (NOS) and sGC activities prevented the drop of cell viability after OVX, showing for the first time that increased NO levels and sGC activity observed post-OVX play a key role in the induction of apoptosis. Conversely, E2 and prolactin treatments decreased nNOS expression and activity in pituitary cells from OVX rats in a time- and E2 receptor-dependent manner, thus suggesting interplay between NO and E2 pathways in anterior pituitary. PMID:27611913

  19. Plasma membrane calcium ATPase 4b inhibits nitric oxide generation through calcium-induced dynamic interaction with neuronal nitric oxide synthase.

    PubMed

    Duan, Wenjuan; Zhou, Juefei; Li, Wei; Zhou, Teng; Chen, Qianqian; Yang, Fuyu; Wei, Taotao

    2013-04-01

    The activation and deactivation of Ca(2+)- and calmodulindependent neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the central nervous system must be tightly controlled to prevent excessive nitric oxide (NO) generation. Considering plasma membrane calcium ATPase (PMCA) is a key deactivator of nNOS, the present investigation aims to determine the key events involved in nNOS deactivation of by PMCA in living cells to maintain its cellular context. Using time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), we determined the occurrence of Ca(2+)-induced protein-protein interactions between plasma membrane calcium ATPase 4b (PMCA4b) and nNOS in living cells. PMCA activation significantly decreased the intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)]i), which deactivates nNOS and slowdowns NO synthesis. Under the basal [Ca(2+)]i caused by PMCA activation, no protein-protein interactions were observed between PMCA4b and nNOS. Furthermore, both the PDZ domain of nNOS and the PDZ-binding motif of PMCA4b were essential for the protein-protein interaction. The involvement of lipid raft microdomains on the activity of PMCA4b and nNOS was also investigated. Unlike other PMCA isoforms, PMCA4 was relatively more concentrated in the raft fractions. Disruption of lipid rafts altered the intracellular localization of PMCA4b and affected the interaction between PMCA4b and nNOS, which suggest that the unique lipid raft distribution of PMCA4 may be responsible for its regulation of nNOS activity. In summary, lipid rafts may act as platforms for the PMCA4b regulation of nNOS activity and the transient tethering of nNOS to PMCA4b is responsible for rapid nNOS deactivation.

  20. Detection of Endotoxin Contamination of Graphene Based Materials Using the TNF-α Expression Test and Guidelines for Endotoxin-Free Graphene Oxide Production

    PubMed Central

    Del Rio-Castillo, Antonio E.; Newman, Leon; Vázquez, Ester; Kostarelos, Kostas; Wick, Peter; Fadeel, Bengt

    2016-01-01

    Nanomaterials may be contaminated with bacterial endotoxin during production and handling, which may confound toxicological testing of these materials, not least when assessing for immunotoxicity. In the present study, we evaluated the conventional Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay for endotoxin detection in graphene based material (GBM) samples, including graphene oxide (GO) and few-layered graphene (FLG). Our results showed that some GO samples interfered with various formats of the LAL assay. To overcome this problem, we developed a TNF-α expression test (TET) using primary human monocyte-derived macrophages incubated in the presence or absence of the endotoxin inhibitor, polymyxin B sulfate, and found that this assay, performed with non-cytotoxic doses of the GBM samples, enabled unequivocal detection of endotoxin with a sensitivity that is comparable to the LAL assay. FLG also triggered TNF-α production in the presence of the LPS inhibitor, pointing to an intrinsic pro-inflammatory effect. Finally, we present guidelines for the preparation of endotoxin-free GO, validated by using the TET. PMID:27880838

  1. Mucuna pruriens reduces inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in Parkinsonian mice model.

    PubMed

    Yadav, Satyndra Kumar; Rai, Sachchida Nand; Singh, Surya Pratap

    2017-03-01

    Parkinson's disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative disease found in aged peoples. Plentiful studies are being conducted to find a suitable and effective cure for this disease giving special impetus on use of herbal plants. The study aimed at investigating the effect of ethanolic extract of Mucuna pruriens (Mp) on level of nitric oxide (NO) in paraquat (PQ) induced Parkinson's disease (PD) mouse model and its subsequent contribution to lipid peroxidation. Twenty four Swiss albino mice were divided into three groups; Control, PQ and PQ+Mp. PQ doses were given intraperitoneally, twice in a week and oral dose of ethanolic extract of Mp seed was given for 9 weeks. Nitrite content and lipid peroxidation was measured in all treated groups along with respective controls. RNA was isolated from the nigrostriatal tissue of control and the treated mice and was reverse transcribed into cDNA. PCR was performed to amplify iNOS mRNA and western blot analysis was performed to check its protein level. We had also perfused the mice in all treated group and performed Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and iNOS immunoreactivity in substantia nigra region of mice brain. PQ-treatment increased nitrite content, expression of iNOS and lipid peroxidation compared to respective controls. Mp treatment resulted in a significant attenuation of iNOS expression, nitrite content and lipid peroxidation demonstrating that it reduces nitric oxide in PQ-induced Parkinson's disease. Interestingly; we also observed that mRNA, protein expression and immunoreactivity of iNOS was significantly decreased after Mp treatment and TH immunoreactivity was significantly improved after the treatment of Mp. Our results demonstrated that Mp protects the dopaminergic neurons from the NO injury in substantia nigra. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Activation by nitric oxide of an oxidative-stress response that defends Escherichia coli against activated macrophages.

    PubMed Central

    Nunoshiba, T; deRojas-Walker, T; Wishnok, J S; Tannenbaum, S R; Demple, B

    1993-01-01

    Nitric oxide is a free radical (NO) formed biologically through the oxidation of L-arginine by nitric oxide synthases. NO is produced transiently in mammalian cells for intercellular signaling and in copious quantities to cause cytostasis and cytotoxicity. In the latter situation, NO is a deliberate cytotoxic product of activated macrophages, along with other reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide (O2-). Escherichia coli has a complex set of responses to H2O2 and O2- that involves approximately 80 inducible proteins; we wondered whether these bacteria might induce analogous defenses against nitric oxide. We show here that a multigene system controlled by the redox-sensitive transcriptional regulator SoxR is activated by NO in vivo. This induction confers bacterial resistance to activated murine macrophages with kinetics that parallel the production of NO by these cells. Elimination of specific SoxR-regulated genes diminishes the resistance of these bacteria to the cytotoxic macrophages. The required functions include manganese-containing superoxide dismutase, endonuclease IV (a DNA-repair enzyme for oxidative damage), and micF, an antisense regulator of the outer membrane porin OmpF. These results demonstrate that SoxR is a sensor for cellular exposure to NO, and that the soxRS response system may contribute to bacterial virulence. PMID:8234347

  3. Nitric oxide acts as a positive regulator to induce metamorphosis of the ascidian Herdmania momus.

    PubMed

    Ueda, Nobuo; Degnan, Sandie M

    2013-01-01

    Marine invertebrates commonly have a biphasic life cycle in which the metamorphic transition from a pelagic larva to a benthic post-larva is mediated by the nitric oxide signalling pathway. Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesised by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which is a client protein of the molecular chaperon heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). It is notable, then, that both NO and HSP90 have been implicated in regulating metamorphosis in marine invertebrates as diverse as urochordates, echinoderms, molluscs, annelids, and crustaceans. Specifically, the suppression of NOS activity by the application of either NOS- or HSP90-inhibiting pharmacological agents has been shown consistently to induce the initiation of metamorphosis, leading to the hypothesis that a negative regulatory role of NO is widely conserved in biphasic life cycles. Further, the induction of metamorphosis by heat-shock has been demonstrated for multiple species. Here, we investigate the regulatory role of NO in induction of metamorphosis of the solitary tropical ascidian, Herdmania momus. By coupling pharmacological treatments with analysis of HmNOS and HmHSP90 gene expression, we present compelling evidence of a positive regulatory role for NO in metamorphosis of this species, in contrast to all existing ascidian data that supports the hypothesis of NO as a conserved negative regulator of metamorphosis. The exposure of competent H. momus larvae to a NOS inhibitor or an NO donor results in an up-regulation of NOS and HSP90 genes. Heat shock of competent larvae induces metamorphosis in a temperature dependent manner, up to a thermal tolerance that approaches 35°C. Both larval/post-larval survival and the appearance of abnormal morphologies in H. momus post-larvae reflect the magnitude of up-regulation of the HSP90 gene in response to heat-shock. The demonstrated role of NO as a positive metamorphic regulator in H. momus suggests the existence of inter-specific adaptations of NO regulation in ascidian

  4. Nitric Oxide Acts as a Positive Regulator to Induce Metamorphosis of the Ascidian Herdmania momus

    PubMed Central

    Ueda, Nobuo; Degnan, Sandie M.

    2013-01-01

    Marine invertebrates commonly have a biphasic life cycle in which the metamorphic transition from a pelagic larva to a benthic post-larva is mediated by the nitric oxide signalling pathway. Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesised by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which is a client protein of the molecular chaperon heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). It is notable, then, that both NO and HSP90 have been implicated in regulating metamorphosis in marine invertebrates as diverse as urochordates, echinoderms, molluscs, annelids, and crustaceans. Specifically, the suppression of NOS activity by the application of either NOS- or HSP90-inhibiting pharmacological agents has been shown consistently to induce the initiation of metamorphosis, leading to the hypothesis that a negative regulatory role of NO is widely conserved in biphasic life cycles. Further, the induction of metamorphosis by heat-shock has been demonstrated for multiple species. Here, we investigate the regulatory role of NO in induction of metamorphosis of the solitary tropical ascidian, Herdmania momus. By coupling pharmacological treatments with analysis of HmNOS and HmHSP90 gene expression, we present compelling evidence of a positive regulatory role for NO in metamorphosis of this species, in contrast to all existing ascidian data that supports the hypothesis of NO as a conserved negative regulator of metamorphosis. The exposure of competent H. momus larvae to a NOS inhibitor or an NO donor results in an up-regulation of NOS and HSP90 genes. Heat shock of competent larvae induces metamorphosis in a temperature dependent manner, up to a thermal tolerance that approaches 35°C. Both larval/post-larval survival and the appearance of abnormal morphologies in H. momus post-larvae reflect the magnitude of up-regulation of the HSP90 gene in response to heat-shock. The demonstrated role of NO as a positive metamorphic regulator in H. momus suggests the existence of inter-specific adaptations of NO regulation in ascidian

  5. Pulmonary Hypertension in Lambs Transfused with Stored Blood is Prevented by Breathing Nitric Oxide

    PubMed Central

    Baron, David M.; Yu, Binglan; Lei, Chong; Bagchi, Aranya; Beloiartsev, Arkadi; Stowell, Christopher P.; Steinbicker, Andrea U.; Malhotra, Rajeev; Bloch, Kenneth D.; Zapol, Warren M.

    2012-01-01

    Background During extended storage, erythrocytes undergo functional changes. These changes reduce the viability of erythrocytes leading to release of oxyhemoglobin, a potent scavenger of nitric oxide. We hypothesized that transfusion of ovine packed erythrocytes (PRBC) stored for prolonged periods would induce pulmonary vasoconstriction in lambs, and that reduced vascular nitric oxide concentrations would increase this vasoconstrictor effect. Methods We developed a model of autologous stored blood transfusion in lambs (n=36). Leukoreduced blood was stored for either 2 days (fresh PRBC) or 40 days (stored PRBC). Fresh or stored PRBC were transfused into donors instrumented for awake hemodynamic measurements. Hemodynamic effects of PRBC transfusion were also studied after infusion of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl-ester (25 mg/kg) or during inhalation of nitric oxide (80 ppm). Results Cell-free hemoglobin levels were higher in the supernatant of stored PRBC than in supernatant of fresh PRBC (Mean±SD, 148±20 versus 41±13 mg/dl, respectively, P<0.001). Pulmonary artery pressure during transfusion of stored PRBC transiently increased from 13±1 to 18±1 mmHg (P<0.001) and was associated with increased plasma hemoglobin concentrations. NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl-ester potentiated the increase in pulmonary arterial pressure induced by transfusing stored PRBC, whereas inhalation of nitric oxide prevented the vasoconstrictor response. Conclusions Our results suggest that patients with reduced vascular nitric oxide levels due to endothelial dysfunction may be more susceptible to adverse effects of transfusing blood stored for prolonged periods. These patients might benefit from transfusion of fresh PRBC, when available, or inhaled nitric oxide supplementation to prevent the pulmonary hypertension associated with transfusion of stored PRBC. PMID:22293717

  6. Nitric oxide inhibits topoisomerase II activity and induces resistance to topoisomerase II-poisons in human tumor cells.

    PubMed

    Kumar, Ashutosh; Ehrenshaft, Marilyn; Tokar, Erik J; Mason, Ronald P; Sinha, Birandra K

    2016-07-01

    Etoposide and doxorubicin, topoisomerase II poisons, are important drugs for the treatment of tumors in the clinic. Topoisomerases contain several free sulfhydryl groups which are important for their activity and are also potential targets for nitric oxide (NO)-induced nitrosation. NO, a physiological signaling molecule nitrosates many cellular proteins, causing altered protein and cellular functions. Here, we have evaluated the roles of NO/NO-derived species in the activity/stability of topo II both in vitro and in human tumor cells, and in the cytotoxicity of topo II-poisons, etoposide and doxorubicin. Treatment of purified topo IIα with propylamine propylamine nonoate (PPNO), an NO donor, resulted in inhibition of both the catalytic and relaxation activity in vitro, and decreased etoposide-dependent cleavable complex formation in both human HT-29 colon and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. PPNO treatment also induced significant nitrosation of topo IIα protein in these human tumor cells. These events, taken together, caused a significant resistance to etoposide in both cell lines. However, PPNO had no effect on doxorubicin-induced cleavable complex formation, or doxorubicin cytotoxicity in these cell lines. Inhibition of topo II function by NO/NO-derived species induces significant resistance to etoposide, without affecting doxorubicin cytotoxicity in human tumor cells. As tumors express inducible nitric oxide synthase and generate significant amounts of NO, modulation of topo II functions by NO/NO-derived species could render tumors resistant to certain topo II-poisons in the clinic. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  7. Differential requirement for nitric oxide in IGF-1-induced anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant and anti-atherosclerotic effects

    PubMed Central

    Sukhanov, Sergiy; Higashi, Yusuke; Shai, Shaw-Yung; Blackstock, Christopher; Galvez, Sarah; Vaughn, Charlotte; Titterington, Jane; Delafontaine, Patrick

    2011-01-01

    We have shown previously that insulin like-growth factor I (IGF-1) suppressed atherosclerosis in Apoe−/− mice and activated endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase. To determine whether IGF-1-induced atheroprotection depends on NO, IGF-1- or saline-infused mice were treated with L-NAME, the pan-NO synthase inhibitor or with D-NAME (control). IGF-1 reduced atherosclerosis in both the D-NAME and L-NAME groups suggesting that IGF-1’s anti-atherogenic effect was NO-independent. IGF-1 increased plaque smooth muscle cells, suppressed cell apoptosis and downregulated lipoprotein lipase and these effects were also NO-independent. On the contrary, IGF-1 decreased oxidative stress and suppressed TNF-α levels and these effects were blocked by L-NAME. Thus IGF-1’s anti-oxidant effect is dependent on its ability to increase NO but is distinct from its anti-atherosclerotic effect which is NO-independent. PMID:21872589

  8. Low-Dose Ribavirin Treatments Attenuate Neuroinflammatory Activation of BV-2 Cells by Interfering with Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase

    PubMed Central

    Bozic, Iva; Savic, Danijela; Jovanovic, Marija; Bjelobaba, Ivana; Laketa, Danijela; Nedeljkovic, Nadezda; Stojiljkovic, Mirjana; Pekovic, Sanja; Lavrnja, Irena

    2015-01-01

    Microglia play a key role in defending central nervous system from various internal and external threats. However, their excessive and/or chronic activation is associated with deleterious effects in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. Previously, we have shown that ribavirin when applied in clinically relevant dosage (10 μM) modulates activated microglia in complex fashion inducing both anti- and proinflammatory effects, simultaneously causing cytotoxicity. Here, we examined potential of low-dose ribavirin (0.1 and 1 μM) to modulate activated BV-2 microglia. Morphological and functional activation of BV-2 cells was achieved with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Our results demonstrated that low-dose ribavirin did not induce cell death, while 10 μM ribavirin promoted LPS induced apoptosis. We determined that 1 μM ribavirin was equally efficient in deactivation of LPS induced morphological changes as 10 μM ribavirin treatment. Ribavirin showed halfway success in reducing markers of functional activation of microglia. Namely, none of the doses had effect on LPS triggered production of proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha. On the other hand, low-dose ribavirin proved its effectiveness in reduction of another inflammatory mediator, nitric oxide, by inhibiting inducible form of nitric oxide synthase. Our results imply that low-dose ribavirin may alleviate nitrosative stress during neuroinflammation. PMID:26413464

  9. Use-dependent loss of active sympathetic neurogenic vasodilation after nitric oxide synthase inhibition in conscious rats. Evidence for the presence of preformed stores of nitric oxide-containing factors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Davisson, R. L.; Shaffer, R. A.; Johnson, A. K.; Lewis, S. J.

    1996-01-01

    In this study, we examined whether air-jet stress-induced active sympathetic hindlimb vasodilation in conscious rats involves the release of preformed stores of nitric oxide-containing factors. We determined the effects of repeated episodes of air-jet stress (six episodes given 5 minutes apart) on mean arterial pressure and vascular resistances in the mesenteric bed and intact and sympathetically denervated hindlimb beds of conscious rats treated with saline or the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 25 mumol/kg IV). In saline-treated rats, air-jet stress produced alerting behavior, minor changes in blood pressure, pronounced mesenteric vaso-constriction, and immediate and marked vasodilation in the sympathetically intact hindlimb but a minor vasodilation in the sympathetically denervated hindlimb. Each air-jet stress produced virtually identical responses. In L-NAME-treated rats, the first air-jet stress produced vasodilator responses in the sympathetically intact and sympathetically denervated hindlimbs that were similar to those in the saline-treated rats. However, each subsequent air-jet stress produced progressively smaller vasodilator responses in the sympathetically intact but not the sympathetically denervated hindlimb. There was no loss of air-jet stress-induced alerting behavior or mesenteric vasoconstriction, suggesting that L-NAME did not interfere with the central processing of the air-jet or the resultant changes in autonomic nerve activity. The progressive diminution of air-jet stress-induced vasodilation in the intact hindlimb of L-NAME-treated rats may be due to the use-dependent depletion of preformed stores of nitric oxide-containing factors that cannot be replenished in the absence of nitric oxide synthesis.

  10. Nitric oxide inhibits ATPase activity and induces resistance to topoisomerase II-poisons in human MCF-7 breast tumor cells.

    PubMed

    Sinha, Birandra K; Kumar, Ashutosh; Mason, Ronald P

    2017-07-01

    Topoisomerase poisons are important drugs for the management of human malignancies. Nitric oxide ( • NO), a physiological signaling molecule, induces nitrosylation (or nitrosation) of many cellular proteins containing cysteine thiol groups, altering their cellular functions. Topoisomerases contain several thiol groups which are important for their activity and are also targets for nitrosation by nitric oxide. Here, we have evaluated the roles of • NO/ • NO-derived species in the stability and activity of topo II (α and β) both in vitro and in human MCF-7 breast tumor cells. Furthermore, we have examined the effects of • NO on the ATPase activity of topo II. Treatment of purified topo IIα and β with propylamine propylamine nonoate (PPNO), an NO donor, resulted in inhibition of the catalytic activity of topo II. Furthermore, PPNO significantly inhibited topo II-dependent ATP hydrolysis. • NO-induced inhibition of these topo II (α and β) functions resulted in a decrease in cleavable complex formation in MCF-7 cells in the presence of m-AMSA and XK469 and induced significant resistance to both drugs in MCF-7 cells. PPNO treatment resulted in the nitrosation of the topo II protein in MCF-7 cancer cells and inhibited both catalytic-, and ATPase activities of topo II. Furthermore, PPNO significantly affected the DNA damage and cytotoxicity of m-AMSA and XK469 in MCF-7 tumor cells. As tumors express nitric oxide synthase and generate • NO, inhibition of topo II functions by • NO/ • NO-derived species could render tumors resistant to certain topo II-poisons in the clinic.

  11. Ethylene and nitric oxide interact to regulate the magnesium deficiency-induced root hair development in Arabidopsis.

    PubMed

    Liu, Miao; Liu, Xing Xing; He, Xiao Lin; Liu, Li Juan; Wu, Hao; Tang, Cai Xian; Zhang, Yong Song; Jin, Chong Wei

    2017-02-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) and ethylene respond to biotic and abiotic stresses through either similar or independent processes. This study examines the mechanism underlying the effects of NO and ethylene on promoting root hair development in Arabidopsis under magnesium (Mg) deficiency. The interaction between NO and ethylene in the regulation of Mg deficiency-induced root hair development was investigated using NO- and ethylene-related mutants and pharmacological methods. Mg deficiency triggered a burst of NO and ethylene, accompanied by a stimulated development of root hairs. Interestingly, ethylene facilitated NO generation by activation of both nitrate reductase and nitric oxide synthase-like (NOS-L) in the roots of Mg-deficient plants. In turn, NO enhanced ethylene synthesis through stimulating the activities of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) oxidase and ACC synthase (ACS). These two processes constituted an NO-ethylene feedback loop. Blocking either of these two processes inhibited the stimulation of root hair development under Mg deficiency. In conclusion, we suggest that Mg deficiency increases the production of NO and ethylene in roots, each influencing the accumulation and role of the other, and thus these two signals interactively regulate Mg deficiency-induced root hair morphogenesis. © 2016 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2016 New Phytologist Trust.

  12. The Crosstalk Between Nrf2 and AMPK Signal Pathways Is Important for the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Berberine in LPS-Stimulated Macrophages and Endotoxin-Shocked Mice

    PubMed Central

    Mo, Chunfen; Wang, Ling; Zhang, Jie; Numazawa, Satoshi; Tang, Hong; Tang, Xiaoqiang; Han, XiaoJuan; Li, Junhong; Yang, Ming; Wang, Zhe; Wei, Dandan

    2014-01-01

    Abstract Aims: The response of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) to oxidative stress has been recently reported but the downstream signals of this response are largely unknown. Meanwhile, the upstream events for the activation of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), a critical transcriptional activator for antioxidative responses, remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between AMPK and Nrf2 signal pathways in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-triggered inflammatory system, in which berberine (BBR), a known AMPK activator, was used for inflammation suppression. Results and Innovation: In inflammatory macrophages, BBR attenuated LPS-induced expression of inflammatory genes (inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS], cyclooxygenase-2 [COX2], interleukin [IL]-6), and the generation of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species, but increased the transcription of Nrf2-targeted antioxidative genes (NADPH quinone oxidoreductase-1 [NQO-1], heme oxygenase-1 [HO-1]), as well as the nuclear localization and phosphorylation of Nrf2 protein. Importantly, we found BBR-induced activation of Nrf2 is AMPK-dependent, as either pharmacologically or genetically inactivating AMPK blocked the activation of Nrf2. Consistent with in vitro experiments, BBR down-regulated the expression of proinflammatory genes but upregulated those of Nrf2-targeted genes in lungs of LPS-injected mice, and these effects were attenuated in Nrf2-deficient mice. Moreover, the effect of BBR on survival time extension and plasma redox regulation in endotoxin-shocked mice was largely weakened when Nrf2-depleted. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate convergence between AMPK and Nrf2 pathways and this intersection is essential for anti-inflammatory effect of BBR in LPS-stimulated macrophages and endotoxin-shocked mice. Uncovering this intersection is significant for understanding the relationship between energy homeostasis and antioxidative responses and may be beneficial for

  13. Citric acid effects on brain and liver oxidative stress in lipopolysaccharide-treated mice.

    PubMed

    Abdel-Salam, Omar M E; Youness, Eman R; Mohammed, Nadia A; Morsy, Safaa M Youssef; Omara, Enayat A; Sleem, Amany A

    2014-05-01

    Citric acid is a weak organic acid found in the greatest amounts in citrus fruits. This study examined the effect of citric acid on endotoxin-induced oxidative stress of the brain and liver. Mice were challenged with a single intraperitoneal dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 200 μg/kg). Citric acid was given orally at 1, 2, or 4 g/kg at time of endotoxin injection and mice were euthanized 4 h later. LPS induced oxidative stress in the brain and liver tissue, resulting in marked increase in lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde [MDA]) and nitrite, while significantly decreasing reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) showed a pronounced increase in brain tissue after endotoxin injection. The administration of citric acid (1-2 g/kg) attenuated LPS-induced elevations in brain MDA, nitrite, TNF-α, GPx, and PON1 activity. In the liver, nitrite was decreased by 1 g/kg citric acid. GPx activity was increased, while PON1 activity was decreased by citric acid. The LPS-induced liver injury, DNA fragmentation, serum transaminase elevations, caspase-3, and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression were attenuated by 1-2 g/kg citric acid. DNA fragmentation, however, increased after 4 g/kg citric acid. Thus in this model of systemic inflammation, citric acid (1-2 g/kg) decreased brain lipid peroxidation and inflammation, liver damage, and DNA fragmentation.

  14. Citric Acid Effects on Brain and Liver Oxidative Stress in Lipopolysaccharide-Treated Mice

    PubMed Central

    Youness, Eman R.; Mohammed, Nadia A.; Morsy, Safaa M. Youssef; Omara, Enayat A.; Sleem, Amany A.

    2014-01-01

    Abstract Citric acid is a weak organic acid found in the greatest amounts in citrus fruits. This study examined the effect of citric acid on endotoxin-induced oxidative stress of the brain and liver. Mice were challenged with a single intraperitoneal dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 200 μg/kg). Citric acid was given orally at 1, 2, or 4 g/kg at time of endotoxin injection and mice were euthanized 4 h later. LPS induced oxidative stress in the brain and liver tissue, resulting in marked increase in lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde [MDA]) and nitrite, while significantly decreasing reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) showed a pronounced increase in brain tissue after endotoxin injection. The administration of citric acid (1–2 g/kg) attenuated LPS-induced elevations in brain MDA, nitrite, TNF-α, GPx, and PON1 activity. In the liver, nitrite was decreased by 1 g/kg citric acid. GPx activity was increased, while PON1 activity was decreased by citric acid. The LPS-induced liver injury, DNA fragmentation, serum transaminase elevations, caspase-3, and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression were attenuated by 1–2 g/kg citric acid. DNA fragmentation, however, increased after 4 g/kg citric acid. Thus in this model of systemic inflammation, citric acid (1–2 g/kg) decreased brain lipid peroxidation and inflammation, liver damage, and DNA fragmentation. PMID:24433072

  15. Allergen endotoxins induce T-cell-dependent and non-IgE-mediated nasal hypersensitivity in mice.

    PubMed

    Iwasaki, Naruhito; Matsushita, Kazufumi; Fukuoka, Ayumi; Nakahira, Masakiyo; Matsumoto, Makoto; Akasaki, Shoko; Yasuda, Koubun; Shimizu, Takeshi; Yoshimoto, Tomohiro

    2017-01-01

    Allergen-mediated cross-linking of IgE on mast cells/basophils is a well-recognized trigger for type 1 allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis (AR). However, allergens may not be the sole trigger for AR, and several allergic-like reactions are induced by non-IgE-mediated mechanisms. We sought to describe a novel non-IgE-mediated, endotoxin-triggered nasal type-1-hypersensitivity-like reaction in mice. To investigate whether endotoxin affects sneezing responses, mice were intraperitoneally immunized with ovalbumin (OVA), then nasally challenged with endotoxin-free or endotoxin-containing OVA. To investigate the role of T cells and mechanisms of the endotoxin-induced response, mice were adoptively transferred with in vitro-differentiated OVA-specific T H 2 cells, then nasally challenged with endotoxin-free or endotoxin-containing OVA. Endotoxin-containing, but not endotoxin-free, OVA elicited sneezing responses in mice independent from IgE-mediated signaling. OVA-specific T H 2 cell adoptive transfer to mice demonstrated that local activation of antigen-specific T H 2 cells was required for the response. The Toll-like receptor 4-myeloid differentiation factor 88 signaling pathway was indispensable for endotoxin-containing OVA-elicited rhinitis. In addition, LPS directly triggered sneezing responses in OVA-specific T H 2-transferred and nasally endotoxin-free OVA-primed mice. Although antihistamines suppressed sneezing responses, mast-cell/basophil-depleted mice had normal sneezing responses to endotoxin-containing OVA. Clodronate treatment abrogated endotoxin-containing OVA-elicited rhinitis, suggesting the involvement of monocytes/macrophages in this response. Antigen-specific nasal activation of CD4 + T cells followed by endotoxin exposure induces mast cell/basophil-independent histamine release in the nose that elicits sneezing responses. Thus, environmental or nasal residential bacteria may exacerbate AR symptoms. In addition, this novel phenomenon might

  16. Role of nitric oxide in methamphetamine neurotoxicity: protection by 7-nitroindazole, an inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase.

    PubMed

    Di Monte, D A; Royland, J E; Jakowec, M W; Langston, J W

    1996-12-01

    The role of nitric oxide (NO.) in the neurotoxic effects of methamphetamine (METH) was evaluated using 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), a potent inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Treatment of mice with 7-NI (50 mg/kg) almost completely counteracted the loss of dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity observed 5 days after four injections of 10 or 7.5 mg/kg METH. With the higher dose of METH, this protection at 5 days occurred despite the fact that combined administration of METH and 7-NI significantly increased lethality and exacerbated METH-induced dopamine release (as indicated by a greater dopamine depletion at 90 min and 1 day). Combined treatment with 4 x 10 mg/kg METH and 7-NI also slightly increased the body temperature of mice as compared with METH alone. Thus, the neuroprotective effects of 7-NI are independent from lethality, are not likely to be related to a reduction of METH-induced dopamine release, and are not due to a decrease in body temperature. These results indicate that NO. formation is an important step leading to METH neurotoxicity, and suggest that the cytotoxic properties of NO. may be directly involved in dopaminergic terminal damage.

  17. NOpiates: Novel Dual Action Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitors with μ-Opioid Agonist Activity

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    A novel series of benzimidazole designed multiple ligands (DMLs) with activity at the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) enzyme and the μ-opioid receptor was developed. Targeting of the structurally dissimilar heme-containing enzyme and the μ-opioid GPCR was predicated on the modulatory role of nitric oxide on μ-opioid receptor function. Structure–activity relationship studies yielded lead compound 24 with excellent nNOS inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.44 μM), selectivity over both endothelial nitric oxide synthase (10-fold) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (125-fold), and potent μ-opioid binding affinity, Ki = 5.4 nM. The functional activity as measured in the cyclic adenosine monosphospate secondary messenger assay resulted in full agonist activity (EC50 = 0.34 μM). This work represents a novel approach in the development of new analgesics for the treatment of pain. PMID:24900459

  18. Nitric Oxide Synthase and Cyclooxygenase Pathways: A Complex Interplay in Cellular Signaling.

    PubMed

    Sorokin, Andrey

    2016-01-01

    The cellular reaction to external challenges is a tightly regulated process consisting of integrated processes mediated by a variety of signaling molecules, generated as a result of modulation of corresponding biosynthetic systems. Both, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX) systems, consist of constitutive forms (NOS1, NOS3 and COX-1), which are mostly involved in housekeeping tasks, and inducible forms (NOS2 and COX-2), which shape the cellular response to stress and variety of bioactive agents. The complex interplay between NOS and COX pathways can be observed at least at three levels. Firstly, products of NOS and Cox systems can mediate the regulation and the expression of inducible forms (NOS2 and COX-2) in response of similar and dissimilar stimulus. Secondly, the reciprocal modulation of cyclooxygenase activity by nitric oxide and NOS activity by prostaglandins at the posttranslational level has been shown to occur. Mechanisms by which nitric oxide can modulate prostaglandin synthesis include direct S-nitrosylation of COX and inactivation of prostaglandin I synthase by peroxynitrite, product of superoxide reaction with nitric oxide. Prostaglandins, conversely, can promote an increased association of dynein light chain (DLC) (also known as protein inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase) with NOS1, thereby reducing its activity. The third level of interplay is provided by intracellular crosstalk of signaling pathways stimulated by products of NOS and COX which contributes significantly to the complexity of cellular signaling. Since modulation of COX and NOS pathways was shown to be principally involved in a variety of pathological conditions, the dissection of their complex relationship is needed for better understanding of possible therapeutic strategies. This review focuses on implications of interplay between NOS and COX for cellular function and signal integration.

  19. Separate Nitrite, Nitric Oxide, and Nitrous Oxide Reducing Fractions from Pseudomonas perfectomarinus

    PubMed Central

    Payne, W. J.; Riley, P. S.; Cox, C. D.

    1971-01-01

    Pseudomonas perfectomarinus was found to grow anaerobically at the expense of nitrate, nitrite, or nitrous oxide but not chlorate or nitric oxide. In several repetitive experiments, anaerobic incubation in culture media containing nitrate revealed that an average of 82% of the cells in aerobically grown populations were converted to the capacity for respiration of nitrate. Although they did not form colonies under these conditions, the bacteria synthesized the denitrifying enzymes within 3 hr in the absence of oxygen or another acceptable inorganic oxidant. This was demonstrated by the ability, after anaerobic incubation, of cells and of extracts to reduce nitrite, nitric oxide, and nitrous oxide to nitrogen. From crude extracts of cells grown on nitrate, nitrite, or nitrous oxide, separate complex fractions were obtained that utilized reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide as the source of electrons for the reduction of (i) nitrite to nitric oxide, (ii) nitric oxide to nitrous oxide, and (iii) nitrous oxide to nitrogen. Gas chromatographic analyses revealed that each of these fractions reduced only one of the nitrogenous oxides. PMID:4324803

  20. Tolerance and withdrawal to anticonvulsant action of clonazepam: role of nitric oxide.

    PubMed

    Gupta, N; Bhargava, V K; Pandhi, P

    2000-05-01

    The use of clonazepam in the long-term treatment of epilepsy is greatly inhibited by its capacity to induce tolerance and dependence. A means of preventing or minimizing the tolerance and dependence inducing properties is required. Here the role of nitric oxide in preventing the development of tolerance and withdrawal hyperexcitability was studied. In Wistar rats, clonazepam at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg i.p. twice daily produced tolerance to its anticonvulsant action in 28 days. After sudden cessation of therapy it produced hyperexcitability. Tolerance was shown by a decrease in seizure threshold to near control value while withdrawal hyperexcitability was evidenced by a significant decrease in seizure threshold below the control value. L-Arginine (a donor of nitric oxide) and N omega-nitro-L-arginine (an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase) were given in doses of 150 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg, respectively on day 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 with clonazepam. Withdrawal hyperexcitability was seen on day 1, 2 and 4 after cessation of drug therapy. Electroshock was used as a model of epilepsy and seizure thresholds were determined by an up and down method of Kimball et al. L-Arginine was found to inhibit the development tolerance as well as withdrawal hyperexcitability when administered with clonazepam while N omega-L-arginine did not prevent either the development of tolerance or withdrawal hyperexcitability in the electroshock model. In the PTZ model, however, L-arginine had no effect on the anticonvulsant action and withdrawal hyperexcitability while inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis prevented withdrawal hyperexcitability in PTZ-induced seizures.

  1. Agmatine attenuates reserpine-induced oral dyskinesia in mice: Role of oxidative stress, nitric oxide and glutamate NMDA receptors.

    PubMed

    Cunha, Andréia S; Matheus, Filipe C; Moretti, Morgana; Sampaio, Tuane B; Poli, Anicleto; Santos, Danúbia B; Colle, Dirleise; Cunha, Mauricio P; Blum-Silva, Carlos H; Sandjo, Louis P; Reginatto, Flávio H; Rodrigues, Ana Lúcia S; Farina, Marcelo; Prediger, Rui D

    2016-10-01

    Dyskinesia consists in a series of trunk, limbs and orofacial involuntary movements that can be observed following long-term pharmacological treatment in some psychotic and neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease, respectively. Agmatine is an endogenous arginine metabolite that emerges as neuromodulator and a promising agent to manage diverse central nervous system disorders by modulating nitric oxide (NO) pathway, glutamate NMDA receptors and oxidative stress. Herein, we investigated the effects of a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of different agmatine doses (10, 30 or 100mg/kg) against the orofacial dyskinesia induced by reserpine (1mg/kg,s.c.) in mice by measuring the vacuous chewing movements and tongue protusion frequencies, and the duration of facial twitching. The results showed an orofacial antidyskinetic effect of agmatine (30mg/kg, i.p.) or the combined administration of sub-effective doses of agmatine (10mg/kg, i.p.) with the NMDA receptor antagonists amantadine (1mg/kg, i.p.) and MK801 (0.01mg/kg, i.p.) or the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7-NI; 0.1mg/kg, i.p.). Reserpine-treated mice displayed locomotor activity deficits in the open field and agmatine had no effect on this response. Reserpine increased nitrite and nitrate levels in cerebral cortex, but agmatine did not reverse it. Remarkably, agmatine reversed the decrease of dopamine and non-protein thiols (NPSH) levels caused by reserpine in the striatum. However, no changes were observed in striatal immunocontent of proteins related to the dopaminergic system including tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine transporter, vesicular monoamine transporter type 2, pDARPP-32[Thr75], dopamine D1 and D2 receptors. These results indicate that the blockade of NO pathway, NMDAR and oxidative stress are possible mechanisms associated with the protective effects of agmatine against the orofacial dyskinesia induced by reserpine in mice

  2. Lignans from Arctium lappa and their inhibition of LPS-induced nitric oxide production.

    PubMed

    Park, So Young; Hong, Seong Su; Han, Xiang Hua; Hwang, Ji Sang; Lee, Dongho; Ro, Jai Seup; Hwang, Bang Yeon

    2007-01-01

    A new butyrolactone sesquilignan, isolappaol C (1), together with four known lignans, lappaol C (2), lappaol D (3), lappaol F (4), and diarctigenin (5), were isolated from the methanolic extract of the seeds from the Arctium lappa plant. The structure of isolappaol C (1) was determined by spectral analysis including 1D- and 2D-NMR. All the isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on the LPS-induced nitric oxide production using murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Lappaol F (4) and diarctigenin (5) strongly inhibited NO production in the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with IC(50) values of 9.5 and 9.6 microM, respectively.

  3. The role of nitric oxide in the reversal of hemorrhagic shock by oxotremorine.

    PubMed

    Gören, M Z; Akici, A; Karaalp, A; Aker, R; Oktay, S

    2001-10-05

    In the present study, the effect of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME), on the antishock actions of oxotremorine was investigated in rats subjected to hemorrhagic shock under urethane anesthesia. L-citrulline production in the AV3V region, as an indicator of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, was assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescent detection throughout the experiment. The rats were pretreated with either intravenous (i.v.) physiological saline or L-NAME (2.5 mg/kg) before bleeding. L-NAME potentiated the reversal of hypotension by oxotremorine (25 microg/kg, i.v.). However, oxotremorine either alone or in combination with L-NAME did not produce any significant change in 60-min survival rate at this low dose. Analysis of microdialysis samples collected from the AV3V region showed that L-citrulline concentration increased during bleeding and that this increase was abolished by L-NAME pretreatment. These results may suggest that nitric oxide production contributes to hypotension in rats bled to shock since nitric oxide levels in the AV3V region increased in response to bleeding and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition abolished this increase and potentiated the oxotremorine-induced reversal of hypotension.

  4. Inhibition of IRAK-4 activity for rescuing endotoxin LPS-induced septic mortality in mice by lonicerae flos extract.

    PubMed

    Park, Sun Hong; Roh, Eunmiri; Kim, Hyun Soo; Baek, Seung-Il; Choi, Nam Song; Kim, Narae; Hwang, Bang Yeon; Han, Sang-Bae; Kim, Youngsoo

    2013-12-13

    Lonicerae flos extract (HS-23) is a clinical candidate currently undergoing Phase I trial in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-injected healthy human volunteers, but its molecular basis remains to be defined. Here, we investigated protective effects of HS-23 or its major constituents on Escherichia coli LPS-induced septic mortality in mice. Intravenous treatment with HS-23 rescued LPS-intoxicated C57BL/6J mice under septic conditions, and decreased the levels of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB-1) in the blood. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) and its isomers were assigned as major constituents of HS-23 in the protection against endotoxemia. As a molecular mechanism, HS-23 or CGA isomers inhibited endotoxin LPS-induced autophosphorylation of the IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK-4) in mouse peritoneal macrophages as well as the kinase activity of IRAK-4 in cell-free reactions. HS-23 consequently suppressed downstream pathways critical for LPS-induced activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB or activating protein 1 (AP-1) in the peritoneal macrophages. HS-23 also inhibited various toll-like receptor agonists-induced nitric oxide (NO) production, and down-regulated LPS-induced expression of NF-κB/AP-1-target inflammatory genes in the cells. Taken together, HS-23 or CGA isomers exhibited anti-inflammatory therapy against LPS-induced septic mortality in mice, at least in part, mediated through the inhibition of IRAK-4. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Nitric oxide and heat shock protein 90 co-regulate temperature-induced bleaching in the soft coral Eunicea fusca

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ross, Cliff

    2014-06-01

    Coral bleaching represents a complex physiological process that is affected not only by environmental conditions but by the dynamic internal cellular biology of symbiotic dinoflagellates ( Symbiodinium spp.) and their cnidarian hosts. Recently, nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as a key molecule involved with the expulsion of Symbiodinium from host cnidarian cells. However, the site of production remains under debate, and the corresponding signaling pathways within and between host and endosymbiont remain elusive. In this study, using freshly isolated Symbiodinium from the soft coral Eunicea fusca, I demonstrate that thermally induced stress causes an upregulation in Symbiodinium heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). In turn, Hsp90 shows a concomitant ability to enhance the activity of a constitutively expressed isoform of NO synthase. The resulting production of NO constitutes a signaling molecule capable of inducing Symbiodinium expulsion. Using nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and Hsp90 polyclonal antibodies, thermal stress-induced Hsp90 was shown to co-immunoprecipitate with a constitutive isoform of NOS. The specific blocking of Hsp90 activity, with the Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin, was capable of inhibiting NO production implicating the involvement of a coordinated regulatory system. These results have strong evolutionary implications for Hsp90-NOS chaperone complexes among biological kingdoms and provide evidence for a new functional role in symbiotic associations.

  6. Bletilla striata polysaccharide stimulates inducible nitric oxide synthase and proinflammatory cytokine expression in macrophages.

    PubMed

    Diao, Huajia; Li, Xin; Chen, Jiangning; Luo, Yi; Chen, Xi; Dong, Lei; Wang, Chunming; Zhang, Chenyu; Zhang, Junfeng

    2008-02-01

    Bletilla striata, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for the treatment of alimentary canal mucosal damage, ulcers, bleeding, bruises and burns. B. striata polysaccharide (BSP) isolated from B. striata was found to enhance vascular endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. However, the wound healing mechanism of BSP is not well understood. In this study, the results show that treatment with BSP induces coordinate changes in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1beta) mRNA levels and enhances the expression of these cytokines, but has no effect on interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) level. In this study, we partially elucidate the wound healing mechanism of BSP.

  7. Olfactory ensheathing cells: nitric oxide production and innate immunity.

    PubMed

    Harris, Julie A; West, Adrian K; Chuah, Meng Inn

    2009-12-01

    Olfactory nerves extend from the nasal cavity to the central nervous system and provide therefore, a direct route for pathogenic infection of the brain. Since actual infection by this route remains relatively uncommon, powerful endogenous mechanisms for preventing microbial infection must exist, but these remain poorly understood. Our previous studies unexpectedly revealed that the unique glial cells that ensheath olfactory nerves, olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), expressed components of the innate immune response. In this study, we show that OECs are able to detect and respond to bacterial challenge via the synthesis of nitric oxide. In vitro studies revealed that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein were present in Escherichia coli- and Staphylococcus aureus-incubated OECs, but were barely detectable in untreated OECs. Neuronal NOS and endothelial NOS were not expressed by OECs pre- and post-bacterial incubation. Nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB), detectable in the majority of OECs 1 h following bacterial incubation, preceded iNOS induction which resulted in the production of nitric oxide. N(G)-methyl-L-arginine significantly attenuated nitric oxide (P < 0.001) and nitrite production (P < 0.001) by OECs. In rat olfactory mucosa which was compromised by irrigation with 0.17M zinc sulfate or 0.7% Triton X-100 to facilitate bacterial infiltration, OECs contributed to a robust synthesis of iNOS. These data strongly support the hypothesis that OECs are an essential component of the innate immune response against bacterial invasion of the central nervous system via olfactory nerves.

  8. R59949, a diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor, inhibits inducible nitric oxide production through decreasing transplasmalemmal L-arginine uptake in vascular smooth muscle cells.

    PubMed

    Shimomura, Tomoko; Nakano, Tomoyuki; Goto, Kaoru; Wakabayashi, Ichiro

    2017-02-01

    Although diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) is known to be expressed in vascular smooth muscle cell, its functional significance remains to be clarified. We hypothesized that DGK is involved in the pathway of cytokine-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in vascular smooth muscle cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of R59949, a diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor, on inducible nitric oxide production in vascular smooth muscle cell. Cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) were used to elucidate the effects of R59949 on basal and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced NO production. The effects of R59949 on protein and mRNA expression of induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and on transplasmalemmal L-arginine uptake were also evaluated using RASMCs. Treatment of RASMCs with R59949 (10 μM) inhibited IL-1β (10 ng/ml)-induced NO production but not basal NO production. Neither protein nor mRNA expression level of iNOS after stimulation with IL-1β was significantly affected by R59949. Estimated enzymatic activities of iNOS in RASMCs were comparable in the absence and presence of R59949. Stimulation of RASMCs with IL-1β caused a marked increase in transplasmalemmal L-arginine uptake into RASMCs. L-Arginine uptake in the presence of IL-1β was markedly inhibited by R59949, while basal L-arginine uptake was not significantly affected by R59949. Both IL-1β-induced NO production and L-arginine uptake were abolished in the presence of cycloheximide (1 μM). The results indicate that R59949 inhibits inducible NO production through decreasing transplasmalemmal L-arginine uptake. DGK is suggested to be involved in cytokine-stimulated L-arginine transport and regulate its intracellular concentration in vascular smooth muscle cell.

  9. Association of a neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism with levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease.

    PubMed

    Santos-Lobato, Bruno Lopes; Borges, Vanderci; Ferraz, Henrique Ballalai; Mata, Ignacio Fernandez; Zabetian, Cyrus P; Tumas, Vitor

    2018-04-01

    Levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) is a common complication of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). PD physiopathology is associated with dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic pathways, including the nitric oxide system. The present study aims to examine the association of a neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene (NOS1) single nucleotide polymorphism (rs2682826) with LID in PD patients. We studied 186 PD patients using levodopa. The presence of LID was defined as a MDS-UPDRS Part IV score ≥1 on item 4.1. We tested for association between NOS1 rs2682826 and the presence, daily frequency, and functional impact of LID using regression models, adjusting for important covariates. There was no significant association between genotype and any of the LID-related variables examined. Our results suggest that this NOS1 polymorphism does not contribute to LID susceptibility or severity. However, additional studies that include a comprehensive set of NOS1 variants will be needed to fully define the role of this gene in LID. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. Endotoxin induces fibrosis in vascular endothelial cells through a mechanism dependent on transient receptor protein melastatin 7 activity.

    PubMed

    Echeverría, Cesar; Montorfano, Ignacio; Hermosilla, Tamara; Armisén, Ricardo; Velásquez, Luis A; Cabello-Verrugio, Claudio; Varela, Diego; Simon, Felipe

    2014-01-01

    The pathogenesis of systemic inflammatory diseases, including endotoxemia-derived sepsis syndrome, is characterized by endothelial dysfunction. It has been demonstrated that the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces the conversion of endothelial cells (ECs) into activated fibroblasts through endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition mechanism. Fibrogenesis is highly dependent on intracellular Ca2+ concentration increases through the participation of calcium channels. However, the specific molecular identity of the calcium channel that mediates the Ca2+ influx during endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis is still unknown. Transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) is a calcium channel that is expressed in many cell types, including ECs. TRPM7 is involved in a number of crucial processes such as the conversion of fibroblasts into activated fibroblasts, or myofibroblasts, being responsible for the development of several characteristics of them. However, the role of the TRPM7 ion channel in endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis is unknown. Thus, our aim was to study whether the TRPM7 calcium channel participates in endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis. Using primary cultures of ECs, we demonstrated that TRPM7 is a crucial protein involved in endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis. Suppression of TRPM7 expression protected ECs from the fibrogenic process stimulated by endotoxin. Downregulation of TRPM7 prevented the endotoxin-induced endothelial markers decrease and fibrotic genes increase in ECs. In addition, TRPM7 downregulation abolished the endotoxin-induced increase in ECM proteins in ECs. Furthermore, we showed that intracellular Ca2+ levels were greatly increased upon LPS challenge in a mechanism dependent on TRPM7 expression. These results demonstrate that TRPM7 is a key protein involved in the mechanism underlying endotoxin-induced endothelial fibrosis.

  11. Effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor on increase in nasal mucosal blood flow induced by sensory and parasympathetic nerve stimulation in rats.

    PubMed

    Ogawa, Fumio; Hanamitsu, Masakazu; Ayajiki, Kazuhide; Aimi, Yoshinari; Okamura, Tomio; Shimizu, Takeshi

    2010-06-01

    Neural control of nasal blood flow (NBF) has not been systematically investigated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of electrical stimulation of both sensory and parasympathetic nerves innervating the nasal mucosal arteries on NBF in rats. In anesthetized rats, nasociliary (sensory) nerves and postganglionic (parasympathetic) nerves derived from the right sphenopalatine ganglion were electrically stimulated. We measured NBF with a laser-Doppler flowmeter. The nerve stimulation increased NBF on both sides and increased the mean arterial blood pressure. The increase in NBF was larger on the ipsilateral side than on the contralateral side. Hexamethonium bromide, a ganglion blocker, abolished the stimulation-induced pressure effect and the increase in NBF on the contralateral side, but did not abolish the increase in NBF on the ipsilateral side. The remaining increase in NBF was abolished by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. Histochemical analysis with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase showed neuronal nitric oxide synthase-containing nerves that innervate nasal mucosal arteries. Nitric oxide released from parasympathetic nitrergic nerves may contribute to an increase in NBF in rats. The afferent impulses induced by sensory nerve stimulation may lead to an increase in mean arterial blood pressure that is partly responsible for the increase in NBF.

  12. Increasing the availability of l-arginine and nitric oxide increases sensitivity of nitrous oxide (N2O)-insensitive inbred mice to N2O-induced antinociception.

    PubMed

    Chung, Eunhee; Ohgami, Yusuke; Quock, Raymond M

    2016-07-01

    Nitrous oxide (N2O)-induced antinociception in mice is dependent on the neuromodulator nitric oxide (NO). In contrast to C57BL/6J (B6) mice, DBA/2J (D2) mice fail to respond to N2O with a robust antinociceptive response or with an increase in brain nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme activity, suggesting that failure of D2 mice to respond to N2O might result from a deficit of NO function. Therefore, it was of interest to determine whether increasing the availability of NO might increase sensitivity of D2 mice to N2O. Male D2 mice were pretreated with sub-antinociceptive intracerebroventricular doses of the NO donor 3-morpholinosydnoimine or the NO precursor l-arginine then assessed for responsiveness to N2O-induced antinociception using the acetic acid abdominal constriction test. Both pretreatments increased the antinociceptive responsiveness of D2 mice to N2O. These results indicate that the NOS enzyme in D2 mice is functional and that the deficit in NO function that obstructs sensitivity to N2O-induced antinociception may lie in availability or utilization of l-arginine. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Nitric oxide rescues thalidomide mediated teratogenicity

    PubMed Central

    Siamwala, Jamila H.; Veeriah, Vimal; Priya, M. Krishna; Rajendran, Saranya; Saran, Uttara; Sinha, Swaraj; Nagarajan, Shunmugam; T, Pradeep; Chatterjee, Suvro

    2012-01-01

    Thalidomide, a sedative drug given to pregnant women, unfortunately caused limb deformities in thousands of babies. Recently the drug was revived because of its therapeutic potential; however the search is still ongoing for an antidote against thalidomide induced limb deformities. In the current study we found that nitric oxide (NO) rescues thalidomide affected chick (Gallus gallus) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. This study confirms that NO reduced the number of thalidomide mediated limb deformities by 94% and 80% in chick and zebrafish embryos respectively. NO prevents limb deformities by promoting angiogenesis, reducing oxidative stress and inactivating caspase-3 dependent apoptosis. We conclude that NO secures angiogenesis in the thalidomide treated embryos to protect them from deformities. PMID:22997553

  14. Cloning and Characterization of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase from Mouse Macrophages

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xie, Qiao-Wen; Cho, Hearn J.; Calaycay, Jimmy; Mumford, Richard A.; Swiderek, Kristine M.; Lee, Terry D.; Ding, Aihao; Troso, Tiffany; Nathan, Carl

    1992-04-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) conveys a variety of messages between cells, including signals for vasorelaxation, neurotransmission, and cytotoxicity. In some endothelial cells and neurons, a constitutive NO synthase is activated transiently by agonists that elevate intracellular calcium concentrations and promote the binding of calmodulin. In contrast, in macrophages, NO synthase activity appears slowly after exposure of the cells to cytokines and bacterial products, is sustained, and functions independently of calcium and calmodulin. A monospecific antibody was used to clone complementary DNA that encoded two isoforms of NO synthase from immunologically activated mouse macrophages. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to confirm most of the amino acid sequence. Macrophage NO synthase differs extensively from cerebellar NO synthase. The macrophage enzyme is immunologically induced at the transcriptional level and closely resembles the enzyme in cytokine-treated tumor cells and inflammatory neutrophils.

  15. The role of endotoxin in grain dust-induced lung disease.

    PubMed

    Schwartz, D A; Thorne, P S; Yagla, S J; Burmeister, L F; Olenchock, S A; Watt, J L; Quinn, T J

    1995-08-01

    To identify the role of endotoxin in grain dust-induced lung disease, we conducted a population-based, cross-sectional investigation among grain handlers and postal workers. The study subjects were selected by randomly sampling all grain facilities and post offices within 100 miles of Iowa City. Our study population consisted of 410 grain workers and 201 postal workers. Grain workers were found to be exposed to higher concentrations of airborne dust (p = 0.0001) and endotoxin (p = 0.0001) when compared with postal workers. Grain workers had a significantly higher prevalence of work-related (cough, phlegm, wheezing, chest tightness, and dyspnea) and chronic (usual cough or phlegm production) respiratory symptoms than postal workers. Moreover, after controlling for age, gender, and cigarette smoking status, work-related respiratory symptoms were strongly associated with the concentration of endotoxin in the bioaerosol in the work setting. The concentration of total dust in the bioaerosol was marginally related to these respiratory problems. After controlling for age, gender, and cigarette smoking status, grain workers were found to have reduced spirometric measures of airflow (FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25-75) and enhanced airway reactivity to inhaled histamine when compared with postal workers. Although the total dust concentration in the work environment appeared to have little effect on these measures of airflow obstruction, higher concentrations of endotoxin in the bioaerosol were associated with diminished measures of airflow and enhanced bronchial reactivity. Our results indicate that the concentration of endotoxin in the bioaerosol may be particularly important in the development of grain dust-induced lung disease.

  16. Involvement of nitric oxide in granisetron improving effect on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice.

    PubMed

    Javadi-Paydar, Mehrak; Zakeri, Marjan; Norouzi, Abbas; Rastegar, Hossein; Mirazi, Naser; Dehpour, Ahmad Reza

    2012-01-06

    Granisetron, a serotonin 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist, widely used as an antiemetic drug following chemotherapy, has been found to improve learning and memory. In this study, effects of granisetron on spatial recognition memory and fear memory and the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) have been determined in a Y-maze and passive avoidance test. Granisetron (3, 10mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was administered to scopolamine-induced memory-impaired mice prior to acquisition, consolidation and retrieval phases, either in the presence or in the absence of a non-specific NO synthase inhibitor, l-NAME (3, 10mg/kg, intraperitoneally); a specific inducible NO synthase (iNOS) inhibitor, aminoguanidine (100mg/kg); and a NO precursor, l-arginine (750 mg/kg). It is demonstrated that granisetron improved memory acquisition in a dose-dependent manner, but it was ineffective on consolidation and retrieval phases of memory. The beneficial effect of granisetron (10mg/kg) on memory acquisition was significantly reversed by l-NAME (10mg/kg) and aminoguanidine (100mg/kg); however, l-arginine (750 mg/kg) did not potentiate the effect of sub-effective dose of granisetron (3mg/kg) in memory acquisition phase. It is concluded that nitric oxide is probably involved in improvement of memory acquisition by granisetron in both spatial recognition memory and fear memory. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled The Cognitive Neuroscience. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. The influence of nitric oxide on basal and cholecystokinin-8-induced proliferation and apoptosis in the rat pancreas.

    PubMed

    Trulsson, Lena M; Gasslander, Thomas; Sundqvist, Tommy; Svanvik, Joar

    2002-06-15

    Nitric oxide (NO) is formed by different cell types in the pancreas. In this study, inhibition of endogenous nitric oxide by N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) reduced the urinary excretion of NO(2)/NO(3) and raised serum L-arginine and the NO donator S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) increased the urinary excretion of NO(2)/NO(3). The peptide cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) has a strong influence on exocrine pancreatic proliferation. Rat pancreas was excised and studied with regard to tissue weight, protein and DNA contents after 3 days of treatment with saline, L-NNA or SNAP given separately or combined with CCK-8. Further, proliferation of different pancreatic cells was studied with [3H]-thymidine incorporation and apoptotic activity was studied by analysing caspase-3 activity and histone-associated DNA fragments. The effects of L-NNA indicate that endogenous nitric oxide formation has a tonic inhibition on apoptosis in the pancreas during both basal condition and growth stimulation by CCK-8. In CCK-induced hyperplasia, NO inhibits the proliferation of acinar cells but stimulates ductal cells. Endogenous NO may regulate the balance between proliferation and apoptosis and in a situation of growth stimulation by CCK-8, it has a tonic inhibition on both mitogenesis and apoptosis thus slowing down the acinar cell turnover in the pancreas.

  18. Nitric oxide fumigation for postharvest pest control

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Nitric oxide fumigation is effective against all arthropod pests at various life stages tested. Nine insect pests at various life stages and bulb mites were subjected to nitric oxide fumigation treatments under ultralow oxygen conditions of =50 ppm O2 in 1.9L glass jars as fumigation chambers. The ...

  19. Rhodiola sachalinesis induces the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase gene by murine fetal hepatocytes (BNL CL.2).

    PubMed

    Pae, H O; Seo, W G; Oh, G S; Kim, N Y; Kim, Y M; Kwon, T O; Shin, M K; Chai, K Y; Chung, H T

    2001-02-01

    We have examined the effect of the aqueous extract of Rhodiola sachalinensis root (RSE), a traditional herbal medicine, on nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in murine fetal hepatocytes (BNL CL.2) by measuring the stable end-product nitrite and the mRNA of inducible NO synthase (iNOS). Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) by itself failed to induce NO synthesis in BNL CL.2 cells. RSE also did not elicit NO synthesis at concentrations up to 1,000 microg/ml, but dose- and time-dependently induced NO synthesis in the presence of IFN-gamma in BNL CL.2 cells. Whereas RSE or IFN-gamma failed to induce detectable levels of iNOS mRNA, a combination of RSE and IFN-gamma markedly induced iNOS mRNA in BNL CL.2 cells. Thus, we found that RSE triggered IFN-gamma-primed BNL CL.2 cells to synthesize NO by inducing iNOS gene expression. The capability of RSE to induce NO synthesis might be related to the therapeutic efficacy of RSE on the liver diseases.

  20. Multifaceted role of nitric oxide in an in vitro mouse neuronal injury model: transcriptomic profiling defines the temporal recruitment of death signalling cascades

    PubMed Central

    Peng, Zhao Feng; Chen, Minghui Jessica; Manikandan, Jayapal; Melendez, Alirio J; Shui, Guanghou; Russo-Marie, Françoise; Whiteman, Matthew; Beart, Philip M; Moore, Philip K; Cheung, Nam Sang

    2012-01-01

    Abstract Nitric oxide is implicated in the pathogenesis of various neuropathologies characterized by oxidative stress. Although nitric oxide has been reported to be involved in the exacerbation of oxidative stress observed in several neuropathologies, existent data fail to provide a holistic description of how nitrergic pathobiology elicits neuronal injury. Here we provide a comprehensive description of mechanisms contributing to nitric oxide induced neuronal injury by global transcriptomic profiling. Microarray analyses were undertaken on RNA from murine primary cortical neurons treated with the nitric oxide generator DETA-NONOate (NOC-18, 0.5 mM) for 8–24 hrs. Biological pathway analysis focused upon 3672 gene probes which demonstrated at least a ±1.5-fold expression in a minimum of one out of three time-points and passed statistical analysis (one-way anova, P < 0.05). Numerous enriched processes potentially determining nitric oxide mediated neuronal injury were identified from the transcriptomic profile: cell death, developmental growth and survival, cell cycle, calcium ion homeostasis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress, mitochondrial homeostasis, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, and GSH and nitric oxide metabolism. Our detailed time-course study of nitric oxide induced neuronal injury allowed us to provide the first time a holistic description of the temporal sequence of cellular events contributing to nitrergic injury. These data form a foundation for the development of screening platforms and define targets for intervention in nitric oxide neuropathologies where nitric oxide mediated injury is causative. PMID:21352476

  1. Diclofenac enhances proinflammatory cytokine-induced nitric oxide production through NF-{kappa}B signaling in cultured astrocytes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kakita, Hiroki; Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467-8601; Department of Neonatology, Aichi Human Service Center Central Hospital, 713-8 Kamiya-Cho, Kasugai 480-0392

    2009-07-01

    Recently, the number of reports of encephalitis/encephalopathy associated with influenza virus has increased. In addition, the use of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac sodium (DCF), is associated with a significant increase in the mortality rate of influenza-associated encephalopathy. Activated astrocytes are a source of nitric oxide (NO), which is largely produced by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in response to proinflammatory cytokines. Therefore, we investigated whether DCF enhances nitric oxide production in astrocytes stimulated with proinflammatory cytokines. We stimulated cultured rat astrocytes with three cytokines, interleukin-1{beta}, tumor necrosis factor-{alpha} and interferon-{gamma}, and then treated the astrocytes with DCF or acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol:more » APAP). iNOS and NO production in astrocyte cultures were induced by proinflammatory cytokines. The addition of DCF augmented NO production, but the addition of APAP did not. NF-{kappa}B inhibitors SN50 and MG132 inhibited iNOS gene expression in cytokine-stimulated astrocytes with or without DCF. Similarly, NF-{kappa}B p65 Stealth small interfering RNA suppressed iNOS gene expression in cytokine-stimulated astrocytes with or without DCF. LDH activity and DAPI staining showed that DCF induces cell damage in cytokine-stimulated astrocytes. An iNOS inhibitor, L-NMMA, inhibited the cytokine- and DCF-induced cell damage. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that iNOS and NO are induced in astrocyte cultures by proinflammatory cytokines. Addition of DCF further augments NO production. This effect is mediated via NF-{kappa}B signaling and leads to cell damage. The enhancement of DCF on NO production may explain the significant increase in the mortality rate of influenza-associated encephalopathy in patients treated with DCF.« less

  2. Expression of nitric oxide synthase-2 in the lungs decreases airway resistance and responsiveness.

    PubMed

    Hjoberg, Josephine; Shore, Stephanie; Kobzik, Lester; Okinaga, Shoji; Hallock, Arlene; Vallone, Joseph; Subramaniam, Venkat; De Sanctis, George T; Elias, Jack A; Drazen, Jeffrey M; Silverman, Eric S

    2004-07-01

    Individuals with asthma have increased levels of nitric oxide in their exhaled air. To explore its role, we have developed a regulatable transgenic mouse capable of overexpressing inducible nitric oxide synthase in a lung-specific fashion. The CC10-rtTA-NOS-2 mouse contains two transgenes, a reverse tetracycline transactivator under the control of the Clara cell protein promoter and the mouse nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS-2) coding region under control of a tetracycline operator. Addition of doxycycline to the drinking water of CC10-rtTA-NOS-2 mice causes an increase in nitric oxide synthase-2 that is largely confined to the airway epithelium. The fraction of expired nitric oxide increases over the first 24 h from approximately 10 parts per billion to a plateau of approximately 20 parts per billion. There were no obvious differences between CC10-rtTA-NOS-2 mice, with or without doxycycline, and wild-type mice in lung histology, bronchoalveolar protein, total cell count, or count differentials. However, airway resistance was lower in CC10-rtTA-NOS-2 mice with doxycycline than in CC10-rtTA-NOS-2 mice without doxycycline or wild-type mice with doxycycline. Moreover, doxycycline-treated CC10-rtTA-NOS-2 mice were hyporesponsive to methacholine compared with other groups. These data suggest that increased nitric oxide in the airways has no proinflammatory effects per se and may have beneficial effects on pulmonary function.

  3. Natural antisense transcript-targeted regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA levels.

    PubMed

    Yoshigai, Emi; Hara, Takafumi; Araki, Yoshiro; Tanaka, Yoshito; Oishi, Masaharu; Tokuhara, Katsuji; Kaibori, Masaki; Okumura, Tadayoshi; Kwon, A-Hon; Nishizawa, Mikio

    2013-04-01

    Natural antisense transcripts (asRNAs) are frequently transcribed from mammalian genes. Recently, we found that non-coding asRNAs are transcribed from the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the rat and mouse genes encoding inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which catalyzes the production of the inflammatory mediator nitric oxide. The iNOS asRNA stabilizes iNOS mRNA by interacting with the mRNA 3'UTR. Furthermore, single-stranded 'sense' oligonucleotides corresponding to the iNOS mRNA sequence were found to reduce iNOS mRNA levels by interfering with mRNA-asRNA interactions in rat hepatocytes. This method was named natural antisense transcript-targeted regulation (NATRE) technology. In this study, we detected human iNOS asRNA expressed in hepatocarcinoma and colon carcinoma tissues. The human iNOS asRNA harbored a sequence complementary to an evolutionarily conserved region of the iNOS mRNA 3'UTR. When introduced into hepatocytes, iNOS sense oligonucleotides that were modified by substitution with partial phosphorothioate bonds and locked nucleic acids or 2'-O-methyl nucleic acids greatly reduced levels of iNOS mRNA and iNOS protein. Moreover, sense oligonucleotides and short interfering RNAs decreased iNOS mRNA to comparable levels. These results suggest that NATRE technology using iNOS sense oligonucleotides could potentially be used to treat human inflammatory diseases and cancers by reducing iNOS mRNA levels. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Muscle contraction induced arterial shear stress increases endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation in humans.

    PubMed

    Casey, Darren P; Ueda, Kenichi; Wegman-Points, Lauren; Pierce, Gary L

    2017-10-01

    We determined if local increases in brachial artery shear during repetitive muscle contractions induce changes in protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and/or phosphorylated (p-)eNOS at Ser 1177 , the primary activation site on eNOS, in endothelial cells (ECs) of humans. Seven young male subjects (25 ± 1 yr) performed 20 separate bouts (3 min each) of rhythmic forearm exercise at 20% of maximum over a 2-h period. Each bout of exercise was separated by 3 min of rest. An additional six male subjects (24 ± 1 yr) served as time controls (no exercise). ECs were freshly isolated from the brachial artery using sterile J-wires through an arterial catheter at baseline and again after the 2-h exercise or time control period. Expression of eNOS or p-eNOS Ser 1177 in ECs was determined via immunofluorescence. Brachial artery mean shear rate was elevated compared with baseline and the time control group throughout the 2-h exercise protocol ( P < 0.001). p-eNOS Ser 1177 expression was increased 57% in ECs in the exercise group [0.06 ± 0.01 vs. 0.10 ± 0.02 arbitrary units (au), P = 0.02] but not in the time control group (0.08 ± 0.01 vs. 0.07 ± 0.01 au, P = 0.72). In contrast, total eNOS expression did not change in either the exercise (0.13 ± 0.04 vs. 0.12 ± 0.03 au) or time control (0.12 ± 0.03 vs. 0.11 ± 0.03 au) group ( P > 0.05 for both). Our novel results suggest that elevations in brachial artery shear increase eNOS Ser 1177 phosphorylation in the absence of changes in total eNOS in ECs of young healthy male subjects, suggesting that this model is sufficient to alter posttranslational modification of eNOS activity in vivo in humans. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Elevations in brachial artery shear in response to forearm exercise increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase Ser 1177 phosphorylation in brachial artery endothelial cells of healthy humans. Our present study provides the first evidence in humans that muscle contraction-induced increases in

  5. Antihypertensive effects of inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibition in experimental pre-eclampsia.

    PubMed

    Amaral, Lorena M; Pinheiro, Lucas C; Guimaraes, Danielle A; Palei, Ana C T; Sertório, Jonas T; Portella, Rafael L; Tanus-Santos, Jose E

    2013-10-01

    Upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been reported in both experimental and clinical hypertension. However, although pro-inflammatory cytokines that up-regulate iNOS contribute to pre-eclampsia, no previous study has tested the hypothesis that a selective iNOS inhibitor (1400 W) could exert antihypertensive effects associated with decreased iNOS expression and nitrosative stress in pre-eclampsia. This study examined the effects of 1400 W in the reduced uteroplacental perfusion pressure (RUPP) placental ischaemia animal model and in normal pregnant rats. Sham-operated and RUPP rats were treated with daily vehicle or 1 mg/kg/day N-[3-(Aminomethyl) benzyl] acetamidine (1400 W) subcutaneously for 5 days. Plasma 8-isoprostane levels, aortic reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent ROS production were evaluated by ELISA, dihydroethidium fluorescence microscopy and lucigenin chemiluminescence respectively. Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression was assessed by western blotting analysis and aortic nitrotyrosine was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Mean arterial blood pressure increased by ~30 mmHg in RUPP rats, and 1400 W attenuated this increase by ~50% (P < 0.05). While RUPP increased plasma 8-isoprostane levels, aortic ROS levels, and NADPH-dependent ROS production (P < 0.05), treatment with 1400 W blunted these alterations (P < 0.05). Moreover, while RUPP increased iNOS expression and aortic nitrotyrosine levels (P < 0.05), treatment with 1400 W blunted these alterations (P < 0.05). These results clearly implicate iNOS in the hypertension associated with RUPP. Our findings may suggest that iNOS inhibitors could be clinically useful in the therapy of pre-eclampsia, especially in particular groups of patients genetically more prone to express higher levels of iNOS. This issue deserves further confirmation. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Cellular and Molecular

  6. Blockade by fenspiride of endotoxin-induced neutrophil migration in the rat.

    PubMed

    Cunha, F Q; Boukili, M A; da Motta, J I; Vargaftig, B B; Ferreira, S H

    1993-07-06

    Fenspiride, an antiinflammatory drug with low anti-cyclooxygenase activity, administered orally at 60-200 mg/kg inhibited neutrophil migration into peritoneal and air pouches cavities as well as exudation into peritoneal cavities induced by endotoxin but not induced by carrageenin. Up to 100 microM, fenspiride failed to inhibit the in vitro release of a neutrophil chemotactic activity by endotoxin-stimulated macrophages and the in vivo migration into the peritoneal cavities induced by the supernatant of those macrophages. The release of tumour necrosis factor by stimulated macrophages was inhibited by fenspiride in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the antiinflammatory effects of fenspiride are associated with the inhibition of the tumour necrosis factor release by resident macrophages.

  7. The inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase and oxidative stress by agmatine attenuates vascular dysfunction in rat acute endotoxemic model.

    PubMed

    El-Awady, Mohammed S; Nader, Manar A; Sharawy, Maha H

    2017-10-01

    Vascular dysfunction leading to hypotension is a major complication in patients with septic shock. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) together with oxidative stress play an important role in development of vascular dysfunction in sepsis. Searching for an endogenous, safe and yet effective remedy was the chief goal for this study. The current study investigated the effect of agmatine (AGM), an endogenous metabolite of l-arginine, on sepsis-induced vascular dysfunction induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in rats. AGM pretreatment (10mg/kg, i.v.) 1h before LPS (5mg/kg, i.v.) prevented the LPS-induced mortality and elevations in serum creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme (CK-MB) activity, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, C-reactive protein (CRP) level and total nitrite/nitrate (NOx) level after 24h from LPS injection. The elevation in aortic lipid peroxidation illustrated by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the decrease in aortic glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also ameliorated by AGM. Additionally, AGM prevented LPS-induced elevation in mRNA expression of iNOS, while endothelial NOS (eNOS) mRNA was not affected. Furthermore AGM prevented the impaired aortic contraction to KCl and phenylephrine (PE) and endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine (ACh) without affecting endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside (SNP). AGM may represent a potential endogenous therapeutic candidate for sepsis-induced vascular dysfunction through its inhibiting effect on iNOS expression and oxidative stress. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Cysteine-Zn2+ complexes: unique molecular switches for inducible nitric oxide synthase-derived NO.

    PubMed

    Kröncke, K D

    2001-11-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) in the low nanomolar range acts as a transcellular messenger molecule to initiate regulatory and physiological responses in nearby target cells via binding to the soluble guanylate cyclase heme moiety. Higher NO concentrations, as synthesized by the inducible NO synthase (iNOS) during inflammatory processes, show additional effects: NO may react with O2, yielding nitrogen oxides like N2O3 that are able to nitrosate thiols. A variety of proteins involved in very different functions of the cell contain cysteine-Zn2+ complexes. Effects of NO on different proteins containing cysteine-Zn2+ domains and playing essential roles during transcription, protein folding, and proteolysis are discussed. It is suggested that iNOS-derived NO acts as a signal molecule targeting cysteine-Zn2+ linkages, thus enabling cells to react toward nitrosative stress.

  9. Atorvastatin-induced cardioprotection is mediated by increasing inducible nitric oxide synthase and consequent S-nitrosylation of cyclooxygenase-2.

    PubMed

    Atar, Shaul; Ye, Yumei; Lin, Yu; Freeberg, Sheldon Y; Nishi, Shawn P; Rosanio, Salvatore; Huang, Ming-He; Uretsky, Barry F; Perez-Polo, Jose R; Birnbaum, Yochai

    2006-05-01

    We determined the effects of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1; SC-560), COX-2 (SC-58125), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS; 1400W) inhibitors on atorvastatin (ATV)-induced myocardial protection and whether iNOS mediates the ATV-induced increases in COX-2. Sprague-Dawley rats received 10 mg ATV.kg(-1).day(-1) added to drinking water or water alone for 3 days and received intravenous SC-58125, SC-560, 1400W, or vehicle alone. Anesthesia was induced with ketamine and xylazine and maintained with isoflurane. Fifteen minutes after intravenous injection rats underwent 30-min myocardial ischemia followed by 4-h reperfusion [infarct size (IS) protocol], or the hearts were explanted for biochemical analysis and immunoblotting. Left ventricular weight and area at risk (AR) were comparable among groups. ATV reduced IS to 12.7% (SD 3.1) of AR, a reduction of 64% vs. 35.1% (SD 7.6) in the sham-treated group (P < 0.001). SC-58125 and 1400W attenuated the protective effect without affecting IS in the non-ATV-treated rats. ATV increased calcium-independent NOS (iNOS) [11.9 (SD 0.8) vs. 3.9 (SD 0.1) x 1,000 counts/min; P < 0.001] and COX-2 [46.7 (SD 1.1) vs. 6.5 (SD 1.4) pg/ml of 6-keto-PGF(1alpha); P < 0.001] activity. Both SC-58125 and 1400W attenuated this increase. SC-58125 did not affect iNOS activity, whereas 1400W blocked iNOS activity. COX-2 was S-nitrosylated in ATV-treated but not sham-treated rats or rats pretreated with 1400W. COX-2 immunoprecipitated with iNOS but not with endothelial nitric oxide synthase. We conclude that ATV reduced IS by increasing the activity of iNOS and COX-2, iNOS is upstream to COX-2, and iNOS activates COX-2 by S-nitrosylation. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that preconditioning effects are mediated via PG.

  10. Effects of resveratrol-related hydroxystilbenes on the nitric oxide production in macrophage cells: structural requirements and mechanism of action.

    PubMed

    Cho, Dong-Im; Koo, Na-Youn; Chung, Woon Jae; Kim, Tae-Sung; Ryu, Shi Yong; Im, Suhn Young; Kim, Kyeong-Man

    2002-09-13

    NF-kappaB that plays an important role in iNOS expression is one of the targets of various potential anti-inflammatory agents including resveratrol. Resveratrol contains a structural similarity with estrogen, and there has been speculation about resveratrol as estrogen agonist. In this study, the mechanism and structural requirements of resveratrol and related hydroxystilbenes for the inhibition of LPS-induced nitric oxide production were studied in macrophage cells (RAW 264.7 and J774) by comparing its effect on LPS-induced NF-kappaB translocation and nitric oxide production, and by considering the possibility of involvement of an estrogen receptor. LPS-induced nitric oxide production was inhibited only when cells were treated with resveratrol prior to stimulation with LPS, suggesting that resveratrol does not affect the enzyme itself. A higher concentration of resveratrol than needed for the inhibition of nitric oxide production was required for the inhibition of NF-kappaB mobilization or iNOS expression. Estrogen and diethylstilbesterol, an estrogen agonist, caused only weak inhibition of nitric oxide production, and the effects of resveratrol were not noticeably blocked by ICI-182780, an estrogen antagonist. Structure-activity analysis of resveratrol and nine hydroxystilbenes suggests that the structural balance between oxygen functional groups on the benzene rings is important for their activity. Our results suggest that resveratrol might act on other cellular targets as well as NF-kappaB at the initial stage of gene expression. Unique structural features of hydroxystilbenes are needed for suppression of nitric oxide production and it is unlikely that estrogen receptor is involved in it.

  11. Modulation of the cyclooxygenase pathway via inhibition of nitric oxide production contributes to the anti-inflammatory activity of kaempferol.

    PubMed

    Mahat, Mahamad Yunnus A; Kulkarni, Nagaraj M; Vishwakarma, Santosh L; Khan, Farhin R; Thippeswamy, B S; Hebballi, Vijay; Adhyapak, Anjana A; Benade, Vijay S; Ashfaque, Saudagar Mohammad; Tubachi, Suraj; Patil, Basangouda M

    2010-09-10

    Kaempferol has been reported to inhibit nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase enzymes in animal models. The present study was designed to investigate whether kaempferol modulates the cyclooxygenase pathway via inhibition of nitric oxide production, which in turn contributes to its anti-inflammatory activity. Investigations were performed using carrageenan induced rat air pouch model. Inflammation was assessed by measurement of nitrites (nitrite, a breakdown product of nitric oxide), prostaglandin-E(2) levels and cellular infiltration in the pouch fluid exudates. To assess the anti-inflammatory effect of the extract, rat air pouch linings were examined histologically. The levels of nitrite and prostaglandin-E(2) in pouch fluid were measured by using Griess assay and ELISA respectively. Cell counts and differential counts were performed using a Coulter counter and Wright-Giemsa stain respectively. Kaempferol when administered orally at 50 and 100mg/kg dose showed significant inhibition of carrageenan induced production of nitrite (40.12 and 59.74%, respectively) and prostaglandin-E(2) generation (64.23 and 78.55%, respectively). Infiltration of the cells into the rat granuloma air pouch was also significantly inhibited by kaempferol. Modulation of cyclooxygenase pathway via inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis significantly contributes to kaempferol's anti-inflammatory activity. The present study characterizes the effects and mechanisms of naturally occurring phenolic flavonoid kaempferol, on inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide production. These results partially explain the pharmacological efficacy of flavonoids in general and kaempferol in particular as anti-inflammatory compounds. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. The role of nitric oxide pathway in arginine transport and growth of IPEC-1 cells.

    PubMed

    Xiao, Hao; Zeng, Liming; Shao, Fangyuan; Huang, Bo; Wu, Miaomiao; Tan, Bie; Yin, Yulong

    2017-05-02

    L-Arginine itself and its metabolite-nitric oxide play great roles in intestinal physiology. However, the molecular mechanism underlying nitric oxide pathway regulating L-Arginine transport and cell growth is not yet fully understood. We report that inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) significantly induced cell apoptosis (p < 0.05), and promoted the rate of Arginine uptake and the expressions of protein for CAT-2 and y+LAT-1 (p < 0.05), while reduced protein expression of CAT-1. And NOS inhibition markedly decreased the activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and PI3K-Akt pathways by Arginine in the IPEC-1 cells (p < 0.05). Taken together, these data suggest that inhibition of NO pathway by L-NAME induces a negative feedback increasing of Arginine uptake and CAT-2 and y+LAT-1 protein expression, but promotes cell apoptosis which involved inhibiting the activation of mTOR and PI3K-Akt pathways.

  13. Photoinduced fluorescence activation and nitric oxide release with biocompatible polymer nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Deniz, Erhan; Kandoth, Noufal; Fraix, Aurore; Cardile, Venera; Graziano, Adriana C E; Lo Furno, Debora; Gref, Ruxandra; Raymo, Françisco M; Sortino, Salvatore

    2012-12-03

    A viable strategy to encapsulate a fluorophore/photochrome dyad and a nitric oxide photodonor within supramolecular assemblies of a cyclodextrin-based polymer in water was developed. The two photoresponsive guests do not interact with each other within their supramolecular container and can be operated in parallel under optical control. Specifically, the dyad permits the reversible switching of fluorescence on a microsecond timescale for hundreds of cycles, and the photodonor enables the irreversible release of nitric oxide. Furthermore, these supramolecular assemblies cross the membrane of human melanoma cancer cells and transport their cargo in the cytosol. The fluorescence of one component allows the visualization of the labeled cells, and its switchable character could, in principle, be used to acquire super-resolution images, while the release of nitric oxide from the other induces significant cell mortality. Thus, our design logic for the construction of biocompatible nanoparticles with dual functionality might evolve into the realization of valuable photoresponsive probes for imaging and therapeutic applications. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  14. Correlation of plasma nitrite/nitrate levels and inducible nitric oxide gene expression among women with cervical abnormalities and cancer.

    PubMed

    Sowjanya, A Pavani; Rao, Meera; Vedantham, Haripriya; Kalpana, Basany; Poli, Usha Rani; Marks, Morgan A; Sujatha, M

    2016-01-30

    Cervical cancer is caused by infection with high risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV). Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), a soluble factor involved in chronic inflammation, may modulate cervical cancer risk among HPV infected women. The aim of the study was to measure and correlate plasma nitrite/nitrate levels with tissue specific expression of iNOS mRNA among women with different grades of cervical lesions and cervical cancer. Tissue biopsy and plasma specimens were collected from 120 women with cervical neoplasia or cancer (ASCUS, LSIL, HSIL and invasive cancer) and 35 women without cervical abnormalities. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA from biopsy and plasma nitrite/nitrate levels of the same study subjects were measured. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was performed on the promoter region and Ser608Leu (rs2297518) in exon 16 of the iNOS gene. Differences in iNOS gene expression and plasma nitrite/nitrate levels were compared across disease stage using linear and logistic regression analysis. Compared to normal controls, women diagnosed with HSIL or invasive cancer had a significantly higher concentration of plasma nitrite/nitrate and a higher median fold-change in iNOS mRNA gene expression. Genotyping of the promoter region showed three different variations: A pentanucleotide repeat (CCTTT) n, -1026T > G (rs2779249) and a novel variant -1153T > A. These variants were associated with increased levels of plasma nitrite/nitrate across all disease stages. The higher expression of iNOS mRNA and plasma nitrite/nitrate among women with pre-cancerous lesions suggests a role for nitric oxide in the natural history of cervical cancer. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  15. The effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on the sedative effect of clonidine.

    PubMed

    Soares de Moura, R; Rios, A A; de Oliveira, L F; Resende, A C; de Lemos Neto, M; Santos, E J; Correia, M L; Tano, T

    2001-11-01

    The mechanism underlying the Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro sedative effect of clonidine, an alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist, remains uncertain. Because activation of alpha2-adrenoceptors induces release of nitric oxide (NO), we tested the hypothesis that the sedative effect of clonidine depends on NO-related mechanisms. The effect of 7-nitro indazole on the sleeping time induced by clonidine was studied in Wistar rats. In addition, we examined the effect of clonidine, alpha-methyldopa, and midazolam on the thiopental-induced sleeping time in rats pretreated with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME). The sleeping time induced by clonidine was significantly decreased by 7-nitro indazole. Thiopental sleeping time was increased by clonidine, alpha-methyldopa, and midazolam. L-NAME reduced the prolongation effect of clonidine and alpha-methyldopa, but did not alter the effect of midazolam on the thiopental-induced sleeping time. The inhibitory effect of L-NAME on clonidine-dependent prolongation of thiopental-induced sleeping time was reversed by L-arginine. These results suggest that NO-dependent mechanisms are involved in the sedative effect of clonidine. In addition, this effect seems to be specific for the sedative action of alpha2-adrenoceptors agonists. Clonidine, an antihypertensive drug, is also a sedative. This sedative effect, although an adverse event in the treatment of hypertensive patients, can be helpful for sedation of surgical patients. The mechanism of this effect, however, is unknown. In this study, we show that the sedative effect of clonidine is mediated by nitric oxide, because it could be prevented by pretreatment with nitric oxide synthase inhibitors.

  16. JS-K, a Nitric Oxide Prodrug, Has Enhanced Cytotoxicity in Colon Cancer Cells with Knockdown of Thioredoxin Reductase 1

    PubMed Central

    Edes, Kornelia; Cassidy, Pamela; Shami, Paul J.; Moos, Philip J.

    2010-01-01

    Background The selenoenzyme thioredoxin reductase 1 has a complex role relating to cell growth. It is induced as a component of the cellular response to potentially mutagenic oxidants, but also appears to provide growth advantages to transformed cells by inhibiting apoptosis. In addition, selenocysteine-deficient or alkylated forms of thioredoxin reductase 1 have also demonstrated oxidative, pro-apoptotic activity. Therefore, a greater understanding of the role of thioredoxin reductase in redox initiated apoptotic processes is warranted. Methodology The role of thioredoxin reductase 1 in RKO cells was evaluated by attenuating endogenous thioredoxin reductase 1 expression with siRNA and then either inducing a selenium-deficient thioredoxin reductase or treatment with distinct redox challenges including, hydrogen peroxide, an oxidized lipid, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenol, and a nitric oxide donating prodrug. Thioredoxin redox status, cellular viability, and effector caspase activity were measured. Conclusions/Significance In cells with attenuated endogenous thioredoxin reductase 1, a stably integrated selenocysteine-deficient form of the enzyme was induced but did not alter either the thioredoxin redox status or the cellular growth kinetics. The oxidized lipid and the nitric oxide donor demonstrated enhanced cytotoxicity when thioredoxin reductase 1 was knocked-down; however, the effect was more pronounced with the nitric oxide prodrug. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that attenuation of the thioredoxin-system can promote apoptosis in a nitric oxide-dependent manner. PMID:20098717

  17. Renal Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Is Essential for the Hypertension Induced by Nitric Oxide Synthesis Inhibition

    PubMed Central

    Giani, Jorge F.; Janjulia, Tea; Kamat, Nikhil; Seth, Dale M.; Blackwell, Wendell-Lamar B.; Shah, Kandarp H.; Shen, Xiao Z.; Fuchs, Sebastien; Delpire, Eric; Toblli, Jorge E.; Bernstein, Kenneth E.; McDonough, Alicia A.

    2014-01-01

    The kidney is an important source of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in many species, including humans. However, the specific effects of local ACE on renal function and, by extension, BP control are not completely understood. We previously showed that mice lacking renal ACE, are resistant to the hypertension induced by angiotensin II infusion. Here, we examined the responses of these mice to the low-systemic angiotensin II hypertensive model of nitric oxide synthesis inhibition with L-NAME. In contrast to wild-type mice, mice without renal ACE did not develop hypertension, had lower renal angiotensin II levels, and enhanced natriuresis in response to L-NAME. During L-NAME treatment, the absence of renal ACE was associated with blunted GFR responses; greater reductions in abundance of proximal tubule Na+/H+ exchanger 3, Na+/Pi co-transporter 2, phosphorylated Na+/K+/Cl− cotransporter, and phosphorylated Na+/Cl− cotransporter; and greater reductions in abundance and processing of the γ isoform of the epithelial Na+ channel. In summary, the presence of ACE in renal tissue facilitates angiotensin II accumulation, GFR reductions, and changes in the expression levels and post-translational modification of sodium transporters that are obligatory for sodium retention and hypertension in response to nitric oxide synthesis inhibition. PMID:25012170

  18. Novel evidence that nitric oxide of the medial septal area influences the salivary secretion induced by pilocarpine.

    PubMed

    Saad, Wilson Abrão; Guarda, Ismael Francisco Motta Siqueira; Camargo, Luiz Antonio de Arruda; dos Santos, Talmir Augusto Faria Brisola; Saad, William Abrão; Simões, Sylvio; Guarda, Renata Saad

    2002-04-05

    Our studies have focused on the effect of injection of L-NAME and sodium nitroprussiate (SNP) on the salivary secretion, arterial blood pressure, sodium excretion and urinary volume induced by pilocarpine which was injected into the medial septal area (MSA). Rats were anesthetized with urethane (1.25 g/kg b. wt.) and a stainless steel cannula was implanted into their MSA. The amount of saliva secretion was studied over a five-minute period after injection of pilocarpine into MSA. Injection of pilocarpine (10, 20, 40, 80, 160 microg/microl) into MSA produced a dose-dependent increase in salivary secretion. L-NG-nitro arginine methyl-esther (L-NAME) (40 microg/microl), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, was injected into MSA prior to the injection of pilocarpine into MSA, producing an increase in salivary secretion due to the effect of pilocarpine. Sodium nitroprussiate (SNP) (30 microg/microl) was injected into MSA prior to the injection of pilocarpine into MSA attenuating the increase in salivary secretion induced by pilocarpine. Medial arterial pressure (MAP) increase after injections of pilocarpine into the MSA. L-NAME injected into the MSA prior to injection of pilocarpine into MSA increased the MAP. SNP injected into the MSA prior to pilocarpine attenuated the effect of pilocarpine on MAP. Pilocarpine (40 ug/ul) injected into the MAS induced an increase in sodium and urinary excretion. L-NAME injected prior to pilocarpine into the MSA increased the urinary sodium excretion and urinary volume induced by pilocarpine. SNP injected prior to pilocarpine into the MSA decreased the sodium excretion and urinary volume induced by pilocarpine. All these roles of pilocarpine depend on the release of nitric oxide into the MSA. We may also conclude that the MSA is involved with the cholinergic excitatory mechanism that induce salivary secretion, increase in MAP and increase in sodium excretion and urinary volume.

  19. Hypotonic swelling promotes nitric oxide release in cardiac ventricular myocytes: impact on swelling-induced negative inotropic effect

    PubMed Central

    Gonano, Luis Alberto; Morell, Malena; Burgos, Juan Ignacio; Dulce, Raul Ariel; De Giusti, Verónica Celeste; Aiello, Ernesto Alejandro; Hare, Joshua Michael; Vila Petroff, Martin

    2014-01-01

    Aims Cardiomyocyte swelling occurs in multiple pathological situations and has been associated with contractile dysfunction, cell death, and enhanced propensity to arrhythmias. We investigate whether hypotonic swelling promotes nitric oxide (NO) release in cardiomyocytes, and whether it impacts on swelling-induced contractile dysfunction. Methods and results Superfusing rat cardiomyocytes with a hypotonic solution (HS; 217 mOsm), increased cell volume, reduced myocyte contraction and Ca2+ transient, and increased NO-sensitive 4-amino-5-methylamino-2′,7′-difluorofluorescein diacetate (DAF-FM) fluorescence. When cells were exposed to HS + 2.5 mM of the NO synthase inhibitor l-NAME, cell swelling occurred in the absence of NO release. Swelling-induced NO release was also prevented by the nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1) inhibitor, nitroguanidine, and significantly reduced in NOS1 knockout mice. Additionally, colchicine (inhibitor of microtubule polymerization) prevented the increase in DAF-FM fluorescence induced by HS, indicating that microtubule integrity is necessary for swelling-induced NO release. The swelling-induced negative inotropic effect was exacerbated in the presence of either l-NAME, nitroguandine, the guanylate cyclase inhibitor, ODQ, or the PKG inhibitor, KT5823, suggesting that NOS1-derived NO provides contractile support via a cGMP/PKG-dependent mechanism. Indeed, ODQ reduced Ca2+ wave velocity and both ODQ and KT5823 reduced the HS-induced increment in ryanodine receptor (RyR2, Ser2808) phosphorylation, suggesting that in this context, cGMP/PKG may contribute to preserve contractile function by enhancing sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release. Conclusions Our findings suggest a novel mechanism for NO release in cardiomyocytes with putative pathophysiological relevance determined, at least in part, by its capability to reduce the extent of contractile dysfunction associated with hypotonic swelling. PMID:25344365

  20. BDNF-induced nitric oxide signals in cultured rat hippocampal neurons: time course, mechanism of generation, and effect on neurotrophin secretion.

    PubMed

    Kolarow, Richard; Kuhlmann, Christoph R W; Munsch, Thomas; Zehendner, Christoph; Brigadski, Tanja; Luhmann, Heiko J; Lessmann, Volkmar

    2014-01-01

    BDNF and nitric oxide signaling both contribute to plasticity at glutamatergic synapses. However, the role of combined signaling of both pathways at the same synapse is largely unknown. Using NO imaging with diaminofluoresceine in cultured hippocampal neurons we analyzed the time course of neurotrophin-induced NO signals. Application of exogenous BDNF, NT-4, and NT-3 (but not NGF) induced NO signals in the soma and in proximal dendrites of hippocampal neurons that were sensitive to NO synthase activity, TrkB signaling, and intracellular calcium elevation. The effect of NO signaling on neurotrophin secretion was analyzed in BDNF-GFP, and NT-3-GFP transfected hippocampal neurons. Exogenous application of the NO donor sodium-nitroprusside markedly inhibited neurotrophin secretion. However, endogenously generated NO in response to depolarization and neurotrophin stimulation, both did not result in a negative feedback on neurotrophin secretion. These results suggest that a negative feedback of NO signaling on synaptic secretion of neurotrophins operates only at high intracellular levels of nitric oxide that are under physiological conditions not reached by depolarization or BDNF signaling.

  1. BDNF-induced nitric oxide signals in cultured rat hippocampal neurons: time course, mechanism of generation, and effect on neurotrophin secretion

    PubMed Central

    Kolarow, Richard; Kuhlmann, Christoph R. W.; Munsch, Thomas; Zehendner, Christoph; Brigadski, Tanja; Luhmann, Heiko J.; Lessmann, Volkmar

    2014-01-01

    BDNF and nitric oxide signaling both contribute to plasticity at glutamatergic synapses. However, the role of combined signaling of both pathways at the same synapse is largely unknown. Using NO imaging with diaminofluoresceine in cultured hippocampal neurons we analyzed the time course of neurotrophin-induced NO signals. Application of exogenous BDNF, NT-4, and NT-3 (but not NGF) induced NO signals in the soma and in proximal dendrites of hippocampal neurons that were sensitive to NO synthase activity, TrkB signaling, and intracellular calcium elevation. The effect of NO signaling on neurotrophin secretion was analyzed in BDNF-GFP, and NT-3-GFP transfected hippocampal neurons. Exogenous application of the NO donor sodium-nitroprusside markedly inhibited neurotrophin secretion. However, endogenously generated NO in response to depolarization and neurotrophin stimulation, both did not result in a negative feedback on neurotrophin secretion. These results suggest that a negative feedback of NO signaling on synaptic secretion of neurotrophins operates only at high intracellular levels of nitric oxide that are under physiological conditions not reached by depolarization or BDNF signaling. PMID:25426021

  2. Interleukin-33 Increases Antibacterial Defense by Activation of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in Skin

    PubMed Central

    Jiang, Ziwei; Zhang, Tian; Wang, Yue; Li, Zhiheng; Wu, Yelin; Ji, Shizhao; Xiao, Shichu; Ryffel, Bernhard; Radek, Katherine A.; Xia, Zhaofan; Lai, Yuping

    2014-01-01

    Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is associated with multiple diseases, including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, tissue injuries and infections. Although IL-33 has been indicated to be involved in Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) wound infection, little is known about how IL-33 is regulated as a mechanism to increase host defense against skin bacterial infections. To explore the underlying intricate mechanism we first evaluated the expression of IL-33 in skin from S. aureus-infected human patients. Compared to normal controls, IL-33 was abundantly increased in skin of S. aureus-infected patients. We next developed a S. aureus cutaneous infection mouse model and found that IL-33 was significantly increased in dermal macrophages of infected mouse skin. The expression of IL-33 by macrophages was induced by staphylococcal peptidoglycan (PGN) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) via activation of toll-like receptor 2(TLR2) –mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-AKT-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) signaling pathway as PGN and LTA failed to induce IL-33 in Tlr2-deficient peritoneal macrophages, and MAPK,AKT, STAT3 inhibitors significantly decreased PGN- or LTA-induced IL-33. IL-33, in turn, acted on macrophages to induce microbicidal nitric oxygen (NO) release. This induction was dependent on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activation, as treatment of macrophages with an inhibitor of iNOS, aminoguanidine, significantly decreased IL-33-induced NO release. Moreover, aminoguanidine significantly blocked the capacity of IL-33 to inhibit the growth of S. aureus, and IL-33 silencing in macrophages significantly increased the survival of S. aureus in macrophages. Furthermore, the administration of IL-33-neutralizing antibody into mouse skin decreased iNOS production but increased the survival of S. aureus in skin. These findings reveal that IL-33 can promote antimicrobial capacity of dermal macrophages, thus enhancing antimicrobial defense against skin bacterial

  3. Role of Nitric Oxide in the Regulation of Renin and Vasopressin Secretion

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Reid, Ian A.

    1994-01-01

    Research during recent years has established nitric oxide as a unique signaling molecule that plays important roles in the regulation of the cardiovascular, nervous, immune, and other systems. Nitric oxide has also been implicated in the control of the secretion of hormones by the pancreas, hypothalamus, and anterior pituitary gland, and evidence is accumulating that it contributes to the regulation of the secretion of renin and vasopressin, hormones that play key roles in the control of sodium and water balance. Several lines of evidence have implicated nitric oxide in the control of renin secretion. The enzyme nitric oxide synthase is present in vascular and tubular elements of the kidney, particularly in cells of the macula densa, a structure that plays an important role in the control of renin secretion. Guanylyl cyclase, a major target for nitric oxide, is also present in the kidney. Drugs that inhibit nitric oxide synthesis generally suppress renin release in vivo and in vitro, suggesting a stimulatory role for the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway in the control of renin secretion. Under some conditions, however, blockade of nitric oxide synthesis increases renin secretion. Recent studies indicate that nitric oxide not only contributes to the regulation of basal renin secretion, but also participates in the renin secretory responses to activation of the renal baroreceptor, macula densa, and beta adrenoceptor mechanisms that regulate renin secretion. Histochemical and immunocytochemical studies have revealed the presence of nitric oxide synthase in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus and in the posterior pituitary gland. Colocalization of nitric oxide synthase and vasopressin has been demonstrated in some hypothalamic neurons. Nitric oxide synthase activity in the hypothalamus and pituitary is increased by maneuvers known to stimulate vasopressin secretion, including salt loading and dehydration, Administration of L-arginine and nitric

  4. Patterned Electrode-Based Amperometric Gas Sensor for Direct Nitric Oxide Detection within Microfluidic Devices

    PubMed Central

    Cha, Wansik; Tung, Yi-Chung; Meyerhoff, Mark E.; Takayama, Shuichi

    2010-01-01

    This manuscript describes a thin amperometric nitric oxide (NO) sensor that can be microchannel embedded to enable direct real-time detection of NO produced by cells cultured within the microdevice. A key for achieving the thin (~ 1 mm) planar sensor configuration required for sensor-channel integration is the use of gold/indium-tin oxide patterned electrode directly on a porous polymer membrane (pAu/ITO) as the base working electrode. Electrochemically deposited Au-hexacyanoferrate layer on pAu/ITO is used to catalyze NO oxidation to nitrite at lower applied potentials (0.65 ~ 0.75 V vs. Ag/AgCl) and stabilize current output. Furthermore, use of a gas-permeable membrane to separate internal sensor compartments from the sample phase imparts excellent NO selectivity over common interferents (e.g., nitrite, ascorbate, ammonia, etc.) present in culture media and biological fluids. The optimized sensor design reversibly detects NO down to ~1 nM level in stirred buffer and <10 nM in flowing buffer when integrated within a polymeric microfluidic device. We demonstrate utility of the channel-embedded sensor by monitoring NO generation from macrophages cultured within non-gas permeable microchannels, as they are stimulated with endotoxin. PMID:20329749

  5. Effects of nitric oxide on neuromuscular properties of developing zebrafish embryos.

    PubMed

    Jay, Michael; Bradley, Sophie; McDearmid, Jonathan Robert

    2014-01-01

    Nitric oxide is a bioactive signalling molecule that is known to affect a wide range of neurodevelopmental processes. However, its functional relevance to neuromuscular development is not fully understood. Here we have examined developmental roles of nitric oxide during formation and maturation of neuromuscular contacts in zebrafish. Using histochemical approaches we show that elevating nitric oxide levels reduces the number of neuromuscular synapses within the axial swimming muscles whilst inhibition of nitric oxide biosynthesis has the opposite effect. We further show that nitric oxide signalling does not change synapse density, suggesting that the observed effects are a consequence of previously reported changes in motor axon branch formation. Moreover, we have used in vivo patch clamp electrophysiology to examine the effects of nitric oxide on physiological maturation of zebrafish neuromuscular junctions. We show that developmental exposure to nitric oxide affects the kinetics of spontaneous miniature end plate currents and impacts the neuromuscular drive for locomotion. Taken together, our findings implicate nitrergic signalling in the regulation of zebrafish neuromuscular development and locomotor maturation.

  6. The lack of effects of zinc and nitric oxide in initial state of pilocarpine-induced seizures.

    PubMed

    Noyan, Behzat; Jensen, Morten Skovgaard; Danscher, Gorm

    2007-07-01

    In this study we investigated whether intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of L-NAME (a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) or CaEDTA (an extracellular zinc chelator) or the combination of the two could affect the initial phase of pilocarpine induced (2 h) seizures. Two groups of rats were used. Animals from both groups were given with i.c.v. injections of either saline (10 microl), L-NAME (150 microg/10 microl), CaEDTA (100 mM/10 microl) or L-NAME and CaEDTA. One group received pilocarpine HCl (380 mg/kg i.p.) the other served as control. Pilocarpine HCl was injected intraperitoneally 10 min later. The behavior of the animals was observed for 2h and the intensity of their seizures was scored. The rats were then sacrificed and their brains were removed and analyzed for zinc ions by using the immersion autometallography and the TSQ fluorescence staining. All the animals which received pilocarpine HCl developed seizures. Despite treatment with L-NAME and/or CaEDTA we found that the latency and the intensity of seizures were similar in both groups investigated. The distribution of stainable zinc ions and the intensity of staining in hippocampus were not affected by pilocarpine and found unchanged after L-NAME and/or CaEDTA injections in both the control animals and the pilocarpine treated animals. The data suggest that the nitric oxide system and zinc ions do not affect pilocarpine-induced seizures in their initial state.

  7. An Abnormal Nitric Oxide Metabolism Contributes to Brain Oxidative Stress in the Mouse Model for the Fragile X Syndrome, a Possible Role in Intellectual Disability

    PubMed Central

    Lima-Cabello, Elena; Garcia-Guirado, Francisco; Calvo-Medina, Rocio; el Bekay, Rajaa; Perez-Costillas, Lucia; Quintero-Navarro, Carolina; Sanchez-Salido, Lourdes

    2016-01-01

    Background. Fragile X syndrome is the most common genetic cause of mental disability. Although many research has been performed, the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis is unclear and needs further investigation. Oxidative stress played major roles in the syndrome. The aim was to investigate the nitric oxide metabolism, protein nitration level, the expression of NOS isoforms, and furthermore the activation of the nuclear factor NF-κB-p65 subunit in different brain areas on the fragile X mouse model. Methods. This study involved adult male Fmr1-knockout and wild-type mice as controls. We detected nitric oxide metabolism and the activation of the nuclear factor NF-κBp65 subunit, comparing the mRNA expression and protein content of the three NOS isoforms in different brain areas. Results. Fmr1-KO mice showed an abnormal nitric oxide metabolism and increased levels of protein tyrosine nitrosylation. Besides that, nuclear factor NF-κB-p65 and inducible nitric oxide synthase appeared significantly increased in the Fmr1-knockout mice. mRNA and protein levels of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase appeared significantly decreased in the knockout mice. However, the epithelial nitric oxide synthase isoform displayed no significant changes. Conclusions. These data suggest the potential involvement of an abnormal nitric oxide metabolism in the pathogenesis of the fragile X syndrome. PMID:26788253

  8. The Polar Night Nitric Oxide Experiment

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-12-08

    The Polar Night Nitric Oxide or PolarNOx experiment from Virginia Tech is launched aboard a NASA Black Brant IX sounding rocket at 8:45 a.m. EST, Jan. 27, from the Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska. PolarNOx is measuring nitric oxide in the polar night sky. Nitric oxide in the polar night sky is created by auroras. Under appropriate conditions it can be transported to the stratosphere where it may destroy ozone resulting in possible changes in stratospheric temperature and wind and may even impact the circulation at Earth’s surface. Credit: NASA/Wallops/Jamie Adkins NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

  9. Neuronal Nitric-Oxide Synthase Deficiency Impairs the Long-Term Memory of Olfactory Fear Learning and Increases Odor Generalization

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Pavesi, Eloisa; Heldt, Scott A.; Fletcher, Max L.

    2013-01-01

    Experience-induced changes associated with odor learning are mediated by a number of signaling molecules, including nitric oxide (NO), which is predominantly synthesized by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the brain. In the current study, we investigated the role of nNOS in the acquisition and retention of conditioned olfactory fear. Mice…

  10. 21 CFR 868.5165 - Nitric oxide administration apparatus.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Nitric oxide administration apparatus. 868.5165 Section 868.5165 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5165 Nitric oxide administration...

  11. 21 CFR 868.5165 - Nitric oxide administration apparatus.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Nitric oxide administration apparatus. 868.5165 Section 868.5165 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5165 Nitric oxide administration...

  12. Nitric oxide alleviates wheat yield reduction by protecting photosynthetic system from oxidation of ozone pollution.

    PubMed

    Li, Caihong; Song, Yanjie; Guo, Liyue; Gu, Xian; Muminov, Mahmud A; Wang, Tianzuo

    2018-05-01

    Accelerated industrialization has been increasing releases of chemical precursors of ozone. Ozone concentration has risen nowadays, and it's predicted that this trend will continue in the next few decades. The yield of many ozone-sensitive crops suffers seriously from ozone pollution, and there are abundant reports exploring the damage mechanisms of ozone to these crops, such as winter wheat. However, little is known on how to alleviate these negative impacts to increase grain production under elevated ozone. Nitric oxide, as a bioactive gaseous, mediates a variety of physiological processes and plays a central role in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. In the present study, the accumulation of endogenous nitric oxide in wheat leaves was found to increase in response to ozone. To study the functions of nitric oxide, its precursor sodium nitroprusside was spayed to wheat leaves under ozone pollution. Wheat leaves spayed with sodium nitroprusside accumulated less hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde and electrolyte leakage under ozone pollution, which can be accounted for by the higher activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase than in leaves treated without sodium nitroprusside. Consequently, net photosynthetic rate of wheat treated using sodium nitroprusside was much higher, and yield reduction was alleviated under ozone fumigation. These findings are important for our understanding of the potential roles of nitric oxide in responses of crops in general and wheat in particular to ozone pollution, and provide a viable method to mitigate the detrimental effects on crop production induced by ozone pollution, which is valuable for keeping food security worldwide. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Synthesis of nitric oxide in human osteoblasts in response to physiologic stimulation of electrotherapy.

    PubMed

    Hamed, Ayman; Kim, Paul; Cho, Michael

    2006-12-01

    Electrotherapy for bone healing, remodeling and wound healing may be mediated by modulation of nitric oxide (NO). Using NO-specific fluorophore (DAF-2), we report here that application of non-invasive, physiologic electrical stimulation induces NO synthesis in human osteoblasts, and that such NO generation is comparable to that induced by estrogen treatment. For example, application of a sinusoidal 1 Hz, 2 V/cm (peak to peak) electrical stimulation (ES) increases NO-bound DAF-2 fluorescence intensity by a 2-fold within 60 min exposure by activating nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Increase in the NO level is found to depend critically on the frequency and strength of ES. While the frequency of 1 Hz ES seems optimal, the ES strength >0.5 V/cm is required to induce significant NO increase, however. Nitric oxide synthesis in response to ES is completely prevented by blocking estrogen receptors using a competitive inhibitor, suggesting that NO generation is likely initiated by activation of estrogen receptors at the cell surface. Based on these findings, physiologic stimulation of electrotherapy appears to represent a potential non-invasive, non-genomic, and novel physical technique that could be used to regulate NO-mediated bone density and facilitate bone remodeling without adverse effects associated with hormone therapy.

  14. Arginase Inhibition Restores Peroxynitrite-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction via L-Arginine-Dependent Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Phosphorylation.

    PubMed

    Nguyen, Minh Cong; Park, Jong Taek; Jeon, Yeong Gwan; Jeon, Byeong Hwa; Hoe, Kwang Lae; Kim, Young Myeong; Lim, Hyun Kyo; Ryoo, Sungwoo

    2016-11-01

    Peroxynitrite plays a critical role in vascular pathophysiology by increasing arginase activity and decreasing endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate whether arginase inhibition and L-arginine supplement could restore peroxynitrite-induced endothelial dysfunction and determine the involved mechanism. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with SIN-1, a peroxynitrite generator, and arginase activity, nitrite/nitrate production, and expression levels of proteins were measured. eNOS activation was evaluated via Western blot and dimer blot analysis. We also tested nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and performed a vascular tension assay. SIN-1 treatment increased arginase activity in a time- and dose-dependent manner and reciprocally decreased nitrite/nitrate production that was prevented by peroxynitrite scavenger in HUVECs. Furthermore, SIN-1 induced an increase in the expression level of arginase I and II, though not in eNOS protein. The decreased eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177 and the increased at Thr495 by SIN-1 were restored with arginase inhibitor and L-arginine. The changed eNOS phosphorylation was consistent in the stability of eNOS dimers. SIN-1 decreased NO production and increased ROS generation in the aortic endothelium, all of which was reversed by arginase inhibitor or L-arginine. N(G)-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) prevented SIN-1-induced ROS generation. In the vascular tension assay, SIN-1 enhanced vasoconstrictor responses to U46619 and attenuated vasorelaxant responses to acetylcholine that were reversed by arginase inhibition. These findings may explain the beneficial effect of arginase inhibition and L-arginine supplement on endothelial dysfunction under redox imbalance-dependent pathophysiological conditions.

  15. Fingolimod against endotoxin-induced fetal brain injury in a rat model.

    PubMed

    Yavuz, And; Sezik, Mekin; Ozmen, Ozlem; Asci, Halil

    2017-11-01

    Fingolimod is a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator used for multiple sclerosis treatment and acts on cellular processes such as apoptosis, endothelial permeability, and inflammation. We hypothesized that fingolimod has a positive effect on alleviating preterm fetal brain injury. Sixteen pregnant rats were divided into four groups of four rats each. On gestational day 17, i.p. endotoxin was injected to induce fetal brain injury, followed by i.p. fingolimod (4 mg/kg maternal weight). Hysterotomy for preterm delivery was performed 6 h after fingolimod. The study groups included (i) vehicle controls (i.p. normal saline only); (ii) positive controls (endotoxin plus saline); (iii) saline plus fingolimod; and (iv) endotoxin plus fingolimod treatment. Brain tissues of the pups were dissected for evaluation of interleukin (IL)-6, caspase-3, and S100β on immunohistochemistry. Maternal fingolimod treatment attenuated endotoxin-related fetal brain injury and led to lower immunoreactions for IL-6, caspase-3, and S100β compared with endotoxin controls (P < 0.0001 for all comparisons). Antenatal maternal fingolimod therapy had fetal neuroprotective effects by alleviating preterm birth-related fetal brain injury with inhibitory effects on inflammation and apoptosis. © 2017 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

  16. Inhibition of IRAK-4 activity for rescuing endotoxin LPS-induced septic mortality in mice by lonicerae flos extract

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Park, Sun Hong; Roh, Eunmiri; Kim, Hyun Soo

    Highlights: •Lonicerae flos extract (HS-23) is a clinical candidate, Phase I for sepsis treatment. •Here, HS-23 or its major constituents rescued LPS-induced septic mortality in mice. •As a mechanism, they directly inhibited IRAK-4-catalyzed kinase activity. •Thus, they suppressed LPS-induced expression of NF-κB/AP-1-target inflammatory genes. -- Abstract: Lonicerae flos extract (HS-23) is a clinical candidate currently undergoing Phase I trial in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-injected healthy human volunteers, but its molecular basis remains to be defined. Here, we investigated protective effects of HS-23 or its major constituents on Escherichia coli LPS-induced septic mortality in mice. Intravenous treatment with HS-23 rescued LPS-intoxicated C57BL/6J micemore » under septic conditions, and decreased the levels of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB-1) in the blood. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) and its isomers were assigned as major constituents of HS-23 in the protection against endotoxemia. As a molecular mechanism, HS-23 or CGA isomers inhibited endotoxin LPS-induced autophosphorylation of the IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK-4) in mouse peritoneal macrophages as well as the kinase activity of IRAK-4 in cell-free reactions. HS-23 consequently suppressed downstream pathways critical for LPS-induced activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB or activating protein 1 (AP-1) in the peritoneal macrophages. HS-23 also inhibited various toll-like receptor agonists-induced nitric oxide (NO) production, and down-regulated LPS-induced expression of NF-κB/AP-1-target inflammatory genes in the cells. Taken together, HS-23 or CGA isomers exhibited anti-inflammatory therapy against LPS-induced septic mortality in mice, at least in part, mediated through the inhibition of IRAK-4.« less

  17. Placebo neural systems: nitric oxide, morphine and the dopamine brain reward and motivation circuitries.

    PubMed

    Fricchione, Gregory; Stefano, George B

    2005-05-01

    Evidence suggests that the placebo response is related to the tonic effects of constitutive nitric oxide in neural, vascular and immune tissues. Constitutive nitric oxide levels play a role in the modulation of dopamine outflow in the nigrostriatal movement and the mesolimbic and mesocortical reward and motivation circuitries. Endogenous morphine, which stimulates constitutive nitric oxide, may be an important signal molecule working at mu receptors on gamma aminobutyric acid B interneurons to disinhibit nigral and tegmental dopamine output. We surmise that placebo induced belief will activate the prefrontal cortex with downstream stimulatory effects on these dopamine systems as well as on periaqueductal grey opioid output neurons. Placebo responses in Parkinson's disease, depression and pain disorder may result. In addition, mesolimbic/mesocortical control of the stress response systems may provide a way for the placebo response to benefit other medical conditions.

  18. Evidence for involvement of nitric oxide and GABAB receptors in MK-801- stimulated release of glutamate in rat prefrontal cortex

    PubMed Central

    Roenker, Nicole L.; Gudelsky, Gary A.; Ahlbrand, Rebecca; Horn, Paul S.; Richtand, Neil M.

    2012-01-01

    Systemic administration of NMDA receptor antagonists elevates extracellular glutamate within prefrontal cortex. The cognitive and behavioral effects of NMDA receptor blockade have direct relevance to symptoms of schizophrenia, and recent studies demonstrate an important role for nitric oxide and GABAB receptors in mediating the effects of NMDA receptor blockade on these behaviors. We sought to extend those observations by directly measuring the effects of nitric oxide and GABAB receptor mechanisms on MK-801-induced glutamate release in the prefrontal cortex. Systemic MK-801 injection (0.3 mg/kg) to male Sprague-Dawley rats significantly increased extracellular glutamate levels in prefrontal cortex, as determined by microdialysis. This effect was blocked by pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME (60 mg/kg). Reverse dialysis of the nitric oxide donor SNAP (0.5 – 5 mM) directly into prefrontal cortex mimicked the effect of systemic MK-801, dose-dependently elevating cortical extracellular glutamate. The effect of MK-801 was also blocked by systemic treatment with the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen (5 mg/kg). In combination, these data suggest increased nitric oxide formation is necessary for NMDA antagonist-induced elevations of extracellular glutamate in the prefrontal cortex. Additionally, the data suggest GABAB receptor activation can modulate the NMDA antagonist-induced increase in cortical glutamate release. PMID:22579658

  19. Flame thermometry using laser-induced-grating spectroscopy of nitric oxide

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Luers, Andrew; Salhlberg, Anna-Lena; Hochgreb, Simone; Ewart, Paul

    2018-03-01

    A systematic study of laser-induced thermal-grating scattering (LITGS) using nitric oxide as an absorbing species is presented as a means of thermometry in air-fed combustion. The relative contributions to the scattered signal from degenerate four-wave mixing, DFWM, and from laser-induced thermal-grating scattering, LITGS, are studied in the time domain for NO in N2 buffer gas up to 4 bar, using a pulsed laser system to excite the (0,0) γ-bands of NO at 226.21 nm. LITGS signals from combustion-generated NO in a laminar, pre-mixed CH4/O2/N2 flame on an in-house constructed slot burner were used to derive temperature values as a function of O2 concentration and position in the flame at 1 and 2.5 bar total pressure. Temperature values consistent with the calculated adiabatic flame temperature were derived from averaged LITGS signals over 50-100 single shots at 10 Hz repetition rate in the range 1600-2400 K with a pressure-dependent uncertainty of ± 1.8% at 1 bar to ± 1.4% at 2.5 bar. Based on observed signal-to-noise ratios, the minimum detectable concentration of NO in the flame is estimated to be 80 ppm for a 5 s measurement time at 10 Hz repetition rate.

  20. Nitric oxide mediates brassinosteroid-induced flavonoid biosynthesis in Camellia sinensis L.

    PubMed

    Li, Xin; Zhang, Lan; Ahammed, Golam Jalal; Li, Zhi-Xin; Wei, Ji-Peng; Shen, Chen; Yan, Peng; Zhang, Li-Ping; Han, Wen-Yan

    2017-07-01

    Flavonoids are one of the key secondary metabolites determining the quality of tea. Although exogenous brassinosteroid (BR), a steroidal plant hormone, can stimulate polyphenol biosynthesis in tea plants (Camellia sinensis L.), the relevance of endogenous BR in flavonoid accumulation and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here we show that BR enhances flavonoid concentration in tea leaves by inducing an increase in the endogenous concentration of nitric oxide (NO). Notably, exogenous BR increased levels of flavonoids as well as NO in a concentration dependent manner, while suppression of BR levels by an inhibitor of BR biosynthesis, brassinazole (BRz), decreased the concentrations of both flavonoids and NO in tea leaves. Interestingly, combined treatment of BR and BRz reversed the inhibitory effect of BRz alone on the concentrations of flavonoids and NO. Likewise, exogenous NO also increased flavonoids and NO levels dose-dependently. When the NO level in tea leaves was suppressed by using a NO scavenger, 2,4-carboxyphenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO), flavonoid concentration dramatically decreased. Although individual application of 0.1μM BR increased the concentrations of flavonoids and NO, combined treatment with exogenous NO scavenger, cPTIO, reversed the effect of BR on flavonoid concentration. Furthermore, BR or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) promoted but cPTIO inhibited the transcription and activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) in leaves, while combined treatment of BR with SNP or cPTIO had no additive effect. The results of this study suggest that an optimal level of endogenous NO is essential for BR-induced promotion of flavonoid biosynthesis in tea leaves. In conclusion, this study unveiled a crucial mechanism of BR-induced flavonoid biosynthesis, which might have potential implication in improving the quality of tea. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  1. Effect of Obstructive Jaundice and Nitric Oxide on the Profiles of Intestinal Bacterial Flora in Wild and iNOS−/− Mice

    PubMed Central

    Hong, Ji-Young; F. Sato, Eisuke; Nishikawa, Tomoko; Hiramoto, Keiichi; Inoue, Masayasu

    2009-01-01

    We previously reported that the plasma level of endotoxin and colonic expression of IgA in the mouse increased with obstructive jaundice induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). To elucidate the mechanism of the BDL-induced increase, we analyzed the effect of BDL on intestinal flora in wild type and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-deficient mice (iNOS−/−) using the terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (T-RFLP) and 16S rDNA clone libraries. The amounts of bacterial DNA detected in fecal samples from both animal groups pretreated with antibiotics were extremely low as compared with untreated groups. We found that the profiles of enteric bacteria changed markedly after BDL. The bacterial composition is significantly different between not only wild type and iNOS−/− mice but also those before and after BDL, respectively. Among enteric bacteria examined, Lactobacillus murinus was found to increase markedly after BDL in rectum of both animal groups. However, Escherichia coli markedly increased after BDL in the iNOS−/− mice. These findings suggest that profiles of enteric flora change markedly in animals during obstructive jaundice by some mechanism that is affected by bile constituents and iNOS-derived NO. PMID:19308270

  2. Nitric oxide-induced changes in endothelial expression of phosphodiesterases 2, 3, and 5.

    PubMed

    Schankin, Christoph J; Kruse, Lars S; Reinisch, Veronika M; Jungmann, Steffen; Kristensen, Julie C; Grau, Stefan; Ferrari, Uta; Sinicina, Inga; Goldbrunner, Roland; Straube, Andreas; Kruuse, Christina

    2010-03-01

    To investigate nitric oxide (NO)-mediated changes in expression of cyclic nucleotide degrading phosphodiesterases 2A (PDE2A), PDE3B, and PDE5A in human endothelial cells. Nitric oxide induces production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which along with cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is degraded by PDEs. NO donors and selective inhibitors of PDE3 and PDE5 induce migraine-like headache and play a role in endothelial dysfunction during stroke. The current study investigates possible NO modulation of cGMP-related PDEs relevant to headache induction in a cell line containing such PDEs. Real time polymerase chain reaction and Western blots were used to show expression of PDE2A, PDE3B, and PDE5A in a stable cell line of human brain microvascular endothelial cells. Effects of NO on PDE expression were analyzed at specific time intervals after continued DETA NONOate administration. This study shows the expression of PDE2A, PDE3B, and PDE5A mRNA and PDE3B and PDE5A protein in human cerebral endothelial cells. Long-term DETA NONOate administration induced an immediate mRNA up-regulation of PDE5A (1.9-fold, 0.5 hour), an early peak of PDE2A (1.4-fold, 1 and 2 hours) and later up-regulation of both PDE3B (1.6-fold, 4 hours) and PDE2A (1.7-fold, 8 hours and 1.2-fold after 24 hours). Such changes were, however, not translated into significant changes in protein expression indicating few, if any, functional effects. Long-term NO stimulation modulated PDE3 and PDE5 mRNA expression in endothelial cells. However, PDE3 and PDE5 protein levels were unaffected by NO. The presence of PDE3 or PDE5 in endothelial cells indicates that selective inhibitors may have functional effects in such cells. A complex interaction of cGMP and cAMP in response to NO administration may take place if the mRNA translates into active protein. Whether or not this plays a role in the headache mechanisms remains to be investigated.

  3. Contribution of polyamines metabolism and GABA shunt to chilling tolerance induced by nitric oxide in cold-stored banana fruit.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yansheng; Luo, Zisheng; Mao, Linchun; Ying, Tiejin

    2016-04-15

    Effect of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) on polyamines (PAs) catabolism, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) shunt, proline accumulation and chilling injury of banana fruit under cold storage was investigated. Banana fruit treated with NO sustained lower chilling injury index than the control. Notably elevated nitric oxide synthetase activity and endogenous NO level were observed in NO-treated banana fruit. PAs contents in treated fruit were significantly higher than control fruit, due to the elevated activities of arginine decarboxylase and ornithine decarboxylase. NO treatment increased the activities of diamine oxidase, polyamine oxidase and glutamate decarboxylase, while reduced GABA transaminase activity to lower levels compared with control fruit, which resulted the accumulation of GABA. Besides, NO treatment upregulated proline content and significantly enhanced the ornithine aminotransferase activity. These results indicated that the chilling tolerance induced by NO treatment might be ascribed to the enhanced catabolism of PAs, GABA and proline. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. A Metronidazole-Resistant Isolate of Blastocystis spp. Is Susceptible to Nitric Oxide and Downregulates Intestinal Epithelial Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase by a Novel Parasite Survival Mechanism ▿

    PubMed Central

    Mirza, Haris; Wu, Zhaona; Kidwai, Fahad; Tan, Kevin S. W.

    2011-01-01

    Blastocystis, one of the most common parasites colonizing the human intestine, is an extracellular, noninvasive, luminal protozoan with controversial pathogenesis. Blastocystis infections can be asymptomatic or cause intestinal symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Although chronic infections are frequently reported, Blastocystis infections have also been reported to be self-limiting in immunocompetent patients. Characterizing the host innate response to Blastocystis would lead to a better understanding of the parasite's pathogenesis. Intestinal epithelial cells produce nitric oxide (NO), primarily on the apical side, in order to target luminal pathogens. In this study, we show that NO production by intestinal cells may be a host defense mechanism against Blastocystis. Two clinically relevant isolates of Blastocystis, ST-7 (B) and ST-4 (WR-1), were found to be susceptible to a range of NO donors. ST-7 (B), a metronidazole-resistant isolate, was found to be more sensitive to nitrosative stress. Using the Caco-2 model of human intestinal epithelium, Blastocystis ST-7 (B) but not ST-4 (WR-1) exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of Caco-2 NO production, and this was associated with downregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Despite its higher susceptibility to NO, Blastocystis ST-7 (B) may have evolved unique strategies to evade this potential host defense by depressing host NO production. This is the first study to highlight a strain-to-strain variation in the ability of Blastocystis to evade the host antiparasitic NO response. PMID:21930763

  5. Dysfunctional nitric oxide signalling increases risk of myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Erdmann, Jeanette; Stark, Klaus; Esslinger, Ulrike B; Rumpf, Philipp Moritz; Koesling, Doris; de Wit, Cor; Kaiser, Frank J; Braunholz, Diana; Medack, Anja; Fischer, Marcus; Zimmermann, Martina E; Tennstedt, Stephanie; Graf, Elisabeth; Eck, Sebastian; Aherrahrou, Zouhair; Nahrstaedt, Janja; Willenborg, Christina; Bruse, Petra; Brænne, Ingrid; Nöthen, Markus M; Hofmann, Per; Braund, Peter S; Mergia, Evanthia; Reinhard, Wibke; Burgdorf, Christof; Schreiber, Stefan; Balmforth, Anthony J; Hall, Alistair S; Bertram, Lars; Steinhagen-Thiessen, Elisabeth; Li, Shu-Chen; März, Winfried; Reilly, Muredach; Kathiresan, Sekar; McPherson, Ruth; Walter, Ulrich; Ott, Jurg; Samani, Nilesh J; Strom, Tim M; Meitinger, Thomas; Hengstenberg, Christian; Schunkert, Heribert

    2013-12-19

    Myocardial infarction, a leading cause of death in the Western world, usually occurs when the fibrous cap overlying an atherosclerotic plaque in a coronary artery ruptures. The resulting exposure of blood to the atherosclerotic material then triggers thrombus formation, which occludes the artery. The importance of genetic predisposition to coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction is best documented by the predictive value of a positive family history. Next-generation sequencing in families with several affected individuals has revolutionized mutation identification. Here we report the segregation of two private, heterozygous mutations in two functionally related genes, GUCY1A3 (p.Leu163Phefs*24) and CCT7 (p.Ser525Leu), in an extended myocardial infarction family. GUCY1A3 encodes the α1 subunit of soluble guanylyl cyclase (α1-sGC), and CCT7 encodes CCTη, a member of the tailless complex polypeptide 1 ring complex, which, among other functions, stabilizes soluble guanylyl cyclase. After stimulation with nitric oxide, soluble guanylyl cyclase generates cGMP, which induces vasodilation and inhibits platelet activation. We demonstrate in vitro that mutations in both GUCY1A3 and CCT7 severely reduce α1-sGC as well as β1-sGC protein content, and impair soluble guanylyl cyclase activity. Moreover, platelets from digenic mutation carriers contained less soluble guanylyl cyclase protein and consequently displayed reduced nitric-oxide-induced cGMP formation. Mice deficient in α1-sGC protein displayed accelerated thrombus formation in the microcirculation after local trauma. Starting with a severely affected family, we have identified a link between impaired soluble-guanylyl-cyclase-dependent nitric oxide signalling and myocardial infarction risk, possibly through accelerated thrombus formation. Reversing this defect may provide a new therapeutic target for reducing the risk of myocardial infarction.

  6. Hydroxychavicol, a Piper betle leaf component, induces apoptosis of CML cells through mitochondrial reactive oxygen species-dependent JNK and endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation and overrides imatinib resistance.

    PubMed

    Chakraborty, Jayashree B; Mahato, Sanjit K; Joshi, Kalpana; Shinde, Vaibhav; Rakshit, Srabanti; Biswas, Nabendu; Choudhury Mukherjee, Indrani; Mandal, Labanya; Ganguly, Dipyaman; Chowdhury, Avik A; Chaudhuri, Jaydeep; Paul, Kausik; Pal, Bikas C; Vinayagam, Jayaraman; Pal, Churala; Manna, Anirban; Jaisankar, Parasuraman; Chaudhuri, Utpal; Konar, Aditya; Roy, Siddhartha; Bandyopadhyay, Santu

    2012-01-01

    Alcoholic extract of Piper betle (Piper betle L.) leaves was recently found to induce apoptosis of CML cells expressing wild type and mutated Bcr-Abl with imatinib resistance phenotype. Hydroxy-chavicol (HCH), a constituent of the alcoholic extract of Piper betle leaves, was evaluated for anti-CML activity. Here, we report that HCH and its analogues induce killing of primary cells in CML patients and leukemic cell lines expressing wild type and mutated Bcr-Abl, including the T315I mutation, with minimal toxicity to normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. HCH causes early but transient increase of mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species-dependent persistent activation of JNK leads to an increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase-mediated nitric oxide generation. This causes loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, cleavage of caspase 9, 3 and poly-adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase leading to apoptosis. One HCH analogue was also effective in vivo in SCID mice against grafts expressing the T315I mutation, although to a lesser extent than grafts expressing wild type Bcr-Abl, without showing significant bodyweight loss. Our data describe the role of JNK-dependent endothelial nitric oxide synthase-mediated nitric oxide for anti-CML activity of HCH and this molecule merits further testing in pre-clinical and clinical settings. © 2011 Japanese Cancer Association.

  7. Altered macrophage arachidonic acid metabolism induced by endotoxin tolerance: characterization and mechanisms

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Rogers, T.S.

    Altered macrophage arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism may play a role in endotoxic shock and the phenomenon of endotoxin tolerance induced by repeated injections of endotoxin. Studies were initiated to characterize both lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase metabolite formation by endotoxin tolerant and non-tolerant macrophages in response to 4 different stimuli, i.e., endotoxin, glucan, zymosan, and the calcium ionophore A23187. In contrast to previous reports of decreased prostaglandin synthesis by tolerant macrophages, A23187-stimulated immunoreactive (i) leukotriene (LT) C/sub 4/D/sub 4/ and prostaglandin (PG) E/sub 2/ production by tolerant cells was greater than that by non-tolerant controls (p <0.001). However, A23187-stimulated i6-keto PGF/sub 1a/more » levels were lower in tolerant macrophages compared to controls (P < 0.05). iL TC/sub 4/D/sub 4/ production was not significantly stimulated by endotoxin or glucan, but was stimulated by zymosan in non-tolerant cells. Synthesis of iLTB/sub 4/ by control macrophages was stimulated by endotoxin (p <0.01). The effect of tolerance on factors that affect AA release was investigated by measuring /sup 14/C-AA incorporation and release and phospholipase A/sub 2/ activity« less

  8. A Myeloid Hypoxia-inducible Factor 1α-Krüppel-like Factor 2 Pathway Regulates Gram-positive Endotoxin-mediated Sepsis*

    PubMed Central

    Mahabeleshwar, Ganapati H.; Qureshi, Muhammad Awais; Takami, Yoichi; Sharma, Nikunj; Lingrel, Jerry B.; Jain, Mukesh K.

    2012-01-01

    Although Gram-positive infections account for the majority of cases of sepsis, the molecular mechanisms underlying their effects remains poorly understood. We investigated how cell wall components of Gram-positive bacteria contribute to the development of sepsis. Experimental observations derived from cultured primary macrophages and the cell line indicate that Gram-positive bacterial endotoxins induce hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) mRNA and protein expression. Inoculation of live or heat-inactivated Gram-positive bacteria with macrophages induced HIF-1 transcriptional activity in macrophages. Concordant with these results, myeloid deficiency of HIF-1α attenuated Gram-positive bacterial endotoxin-induced cellular motility and proinflammatory gene expression in macrophages. Conversely, Gram-positive bacteria and their endotoxins reduced expression of the myeloid anti-inflammatory transcription factor Krüppel-like transcription factor 2 (KLF2). Sustained expression of KLF2 reduced and deficiency of KLF2 enhanced Gram-positive endotoxins induced HIF-1α mRNA and protein expression in macrophages. More importantly, KLF2 attenuated Gram-positive endotoxins induced cellular motility and proinflammatory gene expression in myeloid cells. Consistent with these results, mice deficient in myeloid HIF-1α were protected from Gram-positive endotoxin-induced sepsis mortality and clinical symptomatology. By contrast, myeloid KLF2-deficient mice were susceptible to Gram-positive sepsis induced mortality and clinical symptoms. Collectively, these observations identify HIF-1α and KLF2 as critical regulators of Gram-positive endotoxin-mediated sepsis. PMID:22110137

  9. Propofol restores TRPV1 sensitivity via a TRPA1-, nitric oxide synthase-dependent activation of PKCε

    PubMed Central

    Sinharoy, Pritam; Zhang, Hongyu; Sinha, Sayantani; Prudner, Bethany C; Bratz, Ian N; Damron, Derek S

    2015-01-01

    We previously demonstrated that the intravenous anesthetic, propofol, restores the sensitivity of transient receptor potential vanilloid channel subtype-1 (TRPV1) receptors via a protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε)-dependent and transient receptor potential ankyrin channel subtype-1 (TRPA1)-dependent pathway in sensory neurons. The extent to which the two pathways are directly linked or operating in parallel has not been determined. Using a molecular approach, our objectives of the current study were to confirm that TRPA1 activation directly results in PKCε activation and to elucidate the cellular mechanism by which this occurs. F-11 cells were transfected with complimentary DNA (cDNA) for TRPV1 only or both TRPV1 and TRPA1. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration was measured in individual cells via fluorescence microscopy. An immunoblot analysis of the total and phosphorylated forms of PKCε, nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and TRPV1 was also performed. In F-11 cells containing both channels, PKCε inhibition prevented the propofol- and allyl isothiocyanate (AITC)-induced restoration of TRPV1 sensitivity to agonist stimulation as well as increased phosphorylation of PKCε and TRPV1. In cells containing TRPV1 only, neither agonist induced PKCε or TRPV1 phosphorylation. Moreover, NOS inhibition blocked propofol-and AITC-induced restoration of TRPV1 sensitivity and PKCε phosphorylation, and PKCε inhibition prevented the nitric oxide donor, SNAP, from restoring TRPV1 sensitivity. Also, propofol-and AITC-induced phosphorylation of nNOS and nitric oxide (NO) production were blocked with the TRPA1-antagonist, HC-030031. These data indicate that the AITC- and propofol-induced restoration of TRPV1 sensitivity is mediated by a TRPA1-dependent, nitric oxide synthase-dependent activation of PKCε. PMID:26171233

  10. Mycobacteria exploit nitric oxide-induced transformation of macrophages into permissive giant cells.

    PubMed

    Gharun, Kourosh; Senges, Julia; Seidl, Maximilian; Lösslein, Anne; Kolter, Julia; Lohrmann, Florens; Fliegauf, Manfred; Elgizouli, Magdeldin; Vavra, Martina; Schachtrup, Kristina; Illert, Anna L; Gilleron, Martine; Kirschning, Carsten J; Triantafyllopoulou, Antigoni; Henneke, Philipp

    2017-12-01

    Immunity to mycobacteria involves the formation of granulomas, characterized by a unique macrophage (MΦ) species, so-called multinucleated giant cells (MGC). It remains unresolved whether MGC are beneficial to the host, that is, by prevention of bacterial spread, or whether they promote mycobacterial persistence. Here, we show that the prototypical antimycobacterial molecule nitric oxide (NO), which is produced by MGC in excessive amounts, is a double-edged sword. Next to its antibacterial capacity, NO propagates the transformation of MΦ into MGC, which are relatively permissive for mycobacterial persistence. The mechanism underlying MGC formation involves NO-induced DNA damage and impairment of p53 function. Moreover, MGC have an unsurpassed potential to engulf mycobacteria-infected apoptotic cells, which adds a further burden to their antimycobacterial capacity. Accordingly, mycobacteria take paradoxical advantage of antimicrobial cellular efforts by driving effector MΦ into a permissive MGC state. © 2017 The Authors.

  11. The effect of piracetam on brain damage and serum nitric oxide levels in dogs submitted to hemorrhagic shock.

    PubMed

    Ozkan, Seda; Ikizceli, Ibrahim; Sözüer, Erdoğan Mütevelli; Avşaroğullari, Levent; Oztürk, Figen; Muhtaroğlu, Sebahattin; Akdur, Okhan; Küçük, Can; Durukan, Polat

    2008-10-01

    To demonstrate the effect of piracetam on changes in brain tissue and serum nitric oxide levels in dogs submitted to hemorrhagic shock. The subjects were randomized into four subgroups each consisting of 10 dogs. Hemorrhagic shock was induced in Group I for 1 hour and no treatment was given to this group. Blood and saline solutions were administered to Group II following 1 hour hemorrhagic shock. Blood and piracetam were given to Group III following 1 hour shock. No shock was induced and no treatment was applied to Group IV. Blood samples were obtained at the onset of the experiment and at 60, 120 and 180 minutes for nitric oxide analysis. For histopathological examination, brain tissue samples were obtained at the end of the experiment. The observed improvement in blood pressure and pulse rates in Group III was more than in Group II. Nitric oxide levels were increased in Group I; however, no correlation between piracetam and nitric oxide levels was determined. It was seen that recovery in brain damage in Group III was greater than in the control group. Piracetam, added to the treatment, may ecrease ischemic damage in hemorrhagic shock.

  12. Arginase Inhibition Restores Peroxynitrite-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction via L-Arginine-Dependent Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Phosphorylation

    PubMed Central

    Nguyen, Minh Cong; Park, Jong Taek; Jeon, Yeong Gwan; Jeon, Byeong Hwa; Hoe, Kwang Lae; Kim, Young Myeong

    2016-01-01

    Purpose Peroxynitrite plays a critical role in vascular pathophysiology by increasing arginase activity and decreasing endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate whether arginase inhibition and L-arginine supplement could restore peroxynitrite-induced endothelial dysfunction and determine the involved mechanism. Materials and Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with SIN-1, a peroxynitrite generator, and arginase activity, nitrite/nitrate production, and expression levels of proteins were measured. eNOS activation was evaluated via Western blot and dimer blot analysis. We also tested nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and performed a vascular tension assay. Results SIN-1 treatment increased arginase activity in a time- and dose-dependent manner and reciprocally decreased nitrite/nitrate production that was prevented by peroxynitrite scavenger in HUVECs. Furthermore, SIN-1 induced an increase in the expression level of arginase I and II, though not in eNOS protein. The decreased eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177 and the increased at Thr495 by SIN-1 were restored with arginase inhibitor and L-arginine. The changed eNOS phosphorylation was consistent in the stability of eNOS dimers. SIN-1 decreased NO production and increased ROS generation in the aortic endothelium, all of which was reversed by arginase inhibitor or L-arginine. NG-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) prevented SIN-1-induced ROS generation. In the vascular tension assay, SIN-1 enhanced vasoconstrictor responses to U46619 and attenuated vasorelaxant responses to acetylcholine that were reversed by arginase inhibition. Conclusion These findings may explain the beneficial effect of arginase inhibition and L-arginine supplement on endothelial dysfunction under redox imbalance-dependent pathophysiological conditions. PMID:27593859

  13. Role of Nitric Oxide in Stress-Induced Anxiety: From Pathophysiology to Therapeutic Target.

    PubMed

    Kumar, A; Chanana, P

    2017-01-01

    Stress is often marked by a state of hyperarousal to aid the initiation of necessary stress response for the successful management of stressful stimuli. It can be manifested as a challenge (stimulus) that requires behavioral, psychological, and physiological adaptations for the maintenance of a state of homeostasis in response to stressful stimuli. In an organism, miscellaneous stressors trigger a wide spectrum of alterations in hormonal and neuronal physiologies, resulting in behavioral (anxiety and depression disorders, diminished food intake and gastrointestinal dysfunctions, decline in sexual behavior, diabetes, and loss of cognitive function) and other physiological responses. Stress serves as a potent etiological link to development of several neuropsychiatric diseases such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairments. Exposure to stressful stimuli has been found to be associated with activation of nitric oxide synthase and generation of NO which reacts with spontaneous oxygen species to aid formation of active nitrogen radicals. High concentrations of reactive nitrogen radicals may cause damage to intracellular proteins, in addition to causing impairment to components of the mitochondrial transport chain, leading to cellular energy deficiency. This may further serve as an etiological link to the development of secondary neurological diseases associated with chronic stress. Also, during stress exposure, pharmacological inhibition of nitric oxide production displays reduction in indicators of anxiety- and depressive-like behavior in animal models. Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to present an overview on the role of NO in stress-evoked emergence of secondary neurological disorders like anxiety as well as citing examples where NO has been used as a therapeutic target for the management of stress-induced anxiety-like behavior. © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Study on relationship of nitric oxide, oxidation, peroxidation, lipoperoxidation with chronic chole-cystitis

    PubMed Central

    Zhou, Jun-Fu; Cai, Dong; Zhu, You-Gen; Yang, Jin-Lu; Peng, Cheng-Hong; Yu, Yang-Hai

    2000-01-01

    AIM: To study relationship of injury induced by nitric oxide, oxidation, peroxidation, lipoperoxidation with chronic cholecystitis. METHODS: The values of plasma nitric oxide (P-NO), plasma vitamin C (P-VC), plasma vitamin E (P-VE), plasma β-carotene (P-β-CAR), plasma lipoperoxides (P-LPO), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (E-SOD), erythrocyte catalase (E-CAT), erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (E-GSH-Px) activities and erythrocyte lipoperoxides (E-LPO) level in 77 patients with chro nic cholecystitis and 80 healthy control subjects were determined, differences of the above average values between t he patient group and the control group and differences of the average values bet ween preoperative and postoperative patients were analyzed and compared, linear regression and correlation of the disease course with the above determination values as well as the stepwise regression and correlation of the course with th e values were analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the average values of P-NO, P-LPO, E-LPO were significantly increased (P < 0.01), and of P-VC, P-VE, P-β-CAR, E-SOD, E-CAT and E-GSH-Px decreased (P < 0.01) in the patient group. The analysis of the lin ear regression and correlation s howed that with prolonging of the course, the values of P-NO, P-LPO and E-LPO in the patients were gradually ascended and the values of P-VC, P-VE, P-β-CAR, E-SOD, E-CAT and E-GSH-Px descended (P < 0.01). The analysis of the stepwise regression and correlation indicated that the correlation of the course with P-NO, P-VE and P-β-CAR values was the closest. Compared with the preoperative patients, the average values of P-NO, P-LPO and E-LPO were significantly decre ased (P < 0.01) and the average values of P-VC, E-SOD, E-CAT and E-GSH-Px in postoperative pa tients increased (P < 0.01) in postoperative patients. But there was no signif icant difference in the average values of P-VE, P-β-CAR preope rative and postoperative patients. CONCLUSION: Chronic

  15. Intracellular formation of "undisruptable" dimers of inducible nitric oxide synthase.

    PubMed

    Kolodziejski, Pawel J; Rashid, Mohammad B; Eissa, N Tony

    2003-11-25

    Overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. iNOS is active only as a homodimer. Dimerization of iNOS represents a potentially critical target for therapeutic intervention. In this study, we show that intracellular iNOS forms dimers that are "undisruptable" by boiling, denaturants, or reducing agents. Undisruptable (UD) dimers are clearly distinguishable from the easily dissociated dimers formed by iNOS in vitro. UD dimers do not form in Escherichia coli-expressed iNOS and could not be assembled in vitro, which suggests that an in vivo cellular process is required for their formation. iNOS UD dimers are not affected by intracellular depletion of H4B. However, the mutation of Cys-115 (critical for zinc binding) greatly affects the formation of UD dimers. This study reveals insight into the mechanisms of in vivo iNOS dimer formation. UD dimers represent a class of iNOS dimers that had not been suspected. This unanticipated finding revises our understanding of the mechanisms of iNOS dimerization and lays the groundwork for future studies aimed at modulating iNOS activity in vivo.

  16. Near infrared radiation protects against oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced neurotoxicity by down-regulating neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activity in vitro.

    PubMed

    Yu, Zhanyang; Li, Zhaoyu; Liu, Ning; Jizhang, Yunneng; McCarthy, Thomas J; Tedford, Clark E; Lo, Eng H; Wang, Xiaoying

    2015-06-01

    Near infrared radiation (NIR) has been shown to be neuroprotective against neurological diseases including stroke and brain trauma, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In the current study we aimed to investigate the hypothesis that NIR may protect neurons by attenuating oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and modulating cell survival/death signaling. Primary mouse cortical neurons were subjected to 4 h OGD and NIR was applied at 2 h reoxygenation. OGD significantly increased NO level in primary neurons compared to normal control, which was significantly ameliorated by NIR at 5 and 30 min post-NIR. Neither OGD nor NIR significantly changed neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) mRNA or total protein levels compared to control groups. However, OGD significantly increased nNOS activity compared to normal control, and this effect was significantly diminished by NIR. Moreover, NIR significantly ameliorated the neuronal death induced by S-Nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP), a NO donor. Finally, NIR significantly rescued OGD-induced suppression of p-Akt and Bcl-2 expression, and attenuated OGD-induced upregulation of Bax, BAD and caspase-3 activation. These results suggest NIR may protect against OGD at least partially through reducing NO production by down-regulating nNOS activity, and modulating cell survival/death signaling.

  17. Roles of thioredoxin in nitric oxide-dependent preconditioning-induced tolerance against MPTP neurotoxin

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chiueh, C.C.; Andoh, Tsugunobu; Chock, P. Boon

    2005-09-01

    Hormesis, a stress tolerance, can be induced by ischemic preconditioning stress. In addition to preconditioning, it may be induced by other means, such as gas anesthetics. Preconditioning mechanisms, which may be mediated by reprogramming survival genes and proteins, are obscure. A known neurotoxicant, 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), causes less neurotoxicity in the mice that are preconditioned. Pharmacological evidences suggest that the signaling pathway of {center_dot}NO-cGMP-PKG (protein kinase G) may mediate preconditioning phenomenon. We developed a human SH-SY5Y cell model for investigating {sup {center_dot}}NO-mediated signaling pathway, gene regulation, and protein expression following a sublethal preconditioning stress caused by a brief 2-h serum deprivation.more » Preconditioned human SH-SY5Y cells are more resistant against severe oxidative stress and apoptosis caused by lethal serum deprivation and 1-mehtyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP{sup +}). Both sublethal and lethal oxidative stress caused by serum withdrawal increased neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS/NOS1) expression and {sup {center_dot}}NO levels to a similar extent. In addition to free radical scavengers, inhibition of nNOS, guanylyl cyclase, and PKG blocks hormesis induced by preconditioning. S-nitrosothiols and 6-Br-cGMP produce a cytoprotection mimicking the action of preconditioning tolerance. There are two distinct cGMP-mediated survival pathways: (i) the up-regulation of a redox protein thioredoxin (Trx) for elevating mitochondrial levels of antioxidant protein Mn superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, and (ii) the activation of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels [K(ATP)]. Preconditioning induction of Trx increased tolerance against MPP{sup +}, which was blocked by Trx mRNA antisense oligonucleotide and Trx reductase inhibitor. It is concluded that Trx plays a pivotal role in {sup {center_dot}}NO-dependent preconditioning hormesis

  18. Pharmacology and potential therapeutic applications of nitric oxide-releasing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and related nitric oxide-donating drugs

    PubMed Central

    Keeble, J E; Moore, P K

    2002-01-01

    This review examines the biological significance, therapeutic potential and mechanism(s) of action of a range of nitric oxide-releasing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NO-NSAID) and related nitric oxide-releasing donating drugs (NODD). The slow release of nitric oxide (NO) from these compounds leads to subtle changes in the profile of pharmacological activity of the parent, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). For example, compared with NSAID, NO-NSAID cause markedly diminished gastrointestinal toxicity and improved anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive efficacy. In addition, nitroparacetamol exhibits hepatoprotection as opposed to the hepatotoxic activity of paracetamol. The possibility that NO-NSAID or NODD may be of therapeutic benefit in a wide variety of disease states including pain and inflammation, thrombosis and restenosis, neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system, colitis, cancer, urinary incontinence, liver disease, impotence, bronchial asthma and osteoporosis is discussed. PMID:12237248

  19. Inhaled endotoxin and organic dust particulates have synergistic proinflammatory effects in equine heaves (organic dust-induced asthma).

    PubMed

    Pirie, R S; Collie, D D S; Dixon, P M; McGorum, B C

    2003-05-01

    Equine heaves is a naturally occurring organic dust-induced asthma characterized by airway neutrophilia, mucus hypersecretion and obstructive lung dysfunction. However, the relative role of different dust components in disease severity remains unclear. This study investigated the relative contribution of inhaled endotoxin and organic dust particulates (mainly mould spores) in inducing heaves in heaves-susceptible horses. Control and heaves-susceptible horses received inhalation challenges with hay dust suspension (HDS) before and after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) depletion. Heaves-susceptible horses also received inhalation challenge with HDS particulates with and without the addition of LPS and were housed in two separate dusty environments during which mould and endotoxin exposure was measured. The airway inflammatory and functional response to each challenge was measured. Depletion of endotoxin from HDS attenuated the airway neutrophilia and abrogated the airway dysfunction induced in heaves horses by inhaled HDS. The airway response was re-established by adding back LPS to the depleted HDS, confirming that the attenuation in airway response was due specifically to endotoxin depletion. Interestingly, the magnitude of alteration in airway response following endotoxin depletion and add-back was greater than that which could be attributed solely to endotoxin per se, indicating that the LPS activity was enhanced by the other dust components. Consistent with this possibility, washed particulates harvested from HDS enhanced the airway response to inhaled LPS in heaves horses. Heaves horses given two different hay/straw challenges had a significantly different severity of airway inflammation and dysfunction, despite airborne dust and endotoxin concentrations in the horses' breathing zones being similar. Although inhaled endotoxin appears not to be the only determinant of disease severity in heaves, it does contribute significantly to the induction of airway inflammation

  20. Signalling pathway involved in nitric oxide synthase type II activation in chondrocytes: synergistic effect of leptin with interleukin-1

    PubMed Central

    Otero, Miguel; Lago, Rocío; Lago, Francisca; Reino, Juan Jesús Gomez; Gualillo, Oreste

    2005-01-01

    The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of leptin, alone or in combination with IL-1, on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) type II activity in vitro in human primary chondrocytes, in the mouse chondrogenic ATDC5 cell line, and in mature and hypertrophic ATDC5 differentiated chondrocytes. For completeness, we also investigated the signalling pathway of the putative synergism between leptin and IL-1. For this purpose, nitric oxide production was evaluated using the Griess colorimetric reaction in culture medium of cells stimulated over 48 hours with leptin (800 nmol/l) and IL-1 (0.025 ng/ml), alone or combined. Specific pharmacological inhibitors of NOS type II (aminoguanidine [1 mmol/l]), janus kinase (JAK)2 (tyrphostin AG490 and Tkip), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K; wortmannin [1, 2.5, 5 and 10 μmol/l] and LY294002 [1, 2.5, 5 and 10 μmol/l]), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)1 (PD098059 [1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 μmol/l]) and p38 kinase (SB203580 [1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 μmol/l]) were added 1 hour before stimulation. Nitric oxide synthase type II mRNA expression in ATDC5 chondrocytes was investigated by real-time PCR and NOS II protein expression was analyzed by western blot. Our results indicate that stimulation of chondrocytes with IL-1 results in dose-dependent nitric oxide production. In contrast, leptin alone was unable to induce nitric oxide production or expression of NOS type II mRNA or its protein. However, co-stimulation with leptin and IL-1 resulted in a net increase in nitric oxide concentration over IL-1 challenge that was eliminated by pretreatment with the NOS II specific inhibitor aminoguanidine. Pretreatment with tyrphostin AG490 and Tkip (a SOCS-1 mimetic peptide that inhibits JAK2) blocked nitric oxide production induced by leptin/IL-1. Finally, wortmannin, LY294002, PD098059 and SB203580 significantly decreased nitric oxide production. These findings were confirmed in mature and hypertrophic ATDC5 chondrocytes, and

  1. Cancer cell metabolism and the modulating effects of nitric oxide.

    PubMed

    Chang, Ching-Fang; Diers, Anne R; Hogg, Neil

    2015-02-01

    Altered metabolic phenotype has been recognized as a hallmark of tumor cells for many years, but this aspect of the cancer phenotype has come into greater focus in recent years. NOS2 (inducible nitric oxide synthase of iNOS) has been implicated as a component in many aggressive tumor phenotypes, including melanoma, glioblastoma, and breast cancer. Nitric oxide has been well established as a modulator of cellular bioenergetics pathways, in many ways similar to the alteration of cellular metabolism observed in aggressive tumors. In this review we attempt to bring these concepts together with the general hypothesis that one function of NOS2 and NO in cancer is to modulate metabolic processes to facilitate increased tumor aggression. There are many mechanisms by which NO can modulate tumor metabolism, including direct inhibition of respiration, alterations in mitochondrial mass, oxidative inhibition of bioenergetic enzymes, and the stimulation of secondary signaling pathways. Here we review metabolic alterations in the context of cancer cells and discuss the role of NO as a potential mediator of these changes. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  2. Cancer Cell Metabolism and the Modulating Effects of Nitric Oxide

    PubMed Central

    Chang, Ching-Fang; Diers, Anne R.; Hogg, Neil

    2016-01-01

    Altered metabolic phenotype has been recognized as a hallmark of tumor cells for many years, but this aspect of the cancer phenotype has come into greater focus in recent years. NOS2 (inducible nitric oxide synthase of iNOS) has been implicated as a component in many aggressive tumor phenotypes, including melanoma, glioblastoma and breast cancer. Nitric oxide has been well established as a modulator of cellular bioenergetics pathways, in many ways similar to the alteration of cellular metabolism observed in aggressive tumors. In this review we attempt to bring these concepts together with the general hypothesis that one function of NOS2 and NO in cancer is to modulate metabolic processes to facilitate increased tumor aggression. There are many mechanisms by which NO can modulate tumor metabolism, including direct inhibition of respiration, alterations in mitochondrial mass, oxidative inhibition of bioenergetic enzymes, and the stimulation of secondary signaling pathways. Here we review metabolic alterations in the context of cancer cells and discuss the role of NO as a potential mediator of these changes. PMID:25464273

  3. Anti-inflammatory and anti-endotoxin properties of peptides derived from the carboxy-terminal region of a defensin from the tick Ornithodoros savignyi.

    PubMed

    Malan, Melissa; Serem, June C; Bester, Megan J; Neitz, Albert W H; Gaspar, Anabella R M

    2016-01-01

    Antimicrobial peptides are small cationic peptides that possess a large spectrum of bioactivities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Several antimicrobial peptides are known to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in vitro and to protect animals from sepsis. In this study, the cellular anti-inflammatory and anti-endotoxin activities of Os and Os-C, peptides derived from the carboxy-terminal of a tick defensin, were investigated. Both Os and Os-C were found to bind LPS in vitro, albeit to a lesser extent than polymyxin B and melittin, known endotoxin-binding peptides. Binding to LPS was found to reduce the bactericidal activity of Os and Os-C against Escherichia coli confirming the affinity of both peptides for LPS. At a concentration of 25 µM, the nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity of Os was higher than glutathione, a known NO scavenger. In contrast, Os-C showed no scavenging activity. Os and Os-C inhibited LPS/IFN-γ induced NO and TNF-α production in RAW 264.7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, with no cellular toxicity even at a concentration of 100 µM. Although inhibition of NO and TNF-α secretion was more pronounced for melittin and polymyxin B, significant cytotoxicity was observed at concentrations of 1.56 µM and 25 µM for melittin and polymyxin B, respectively. In addition, Os, Os-C and glutathione protected RAW 264.7 cells from oxidative damage at concentrations as low as 25 µM. This study identified that besides previously reported antibacterial activity of Os and Os-C, both peptides have in addition anti-inflammatory and anti-endotoxin properties. Copyright © 2015 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  4. Gastroprotective Effect of Geopropolis from Melipona scutellaris Is Dependent on Production of Nitric Oxide and Prostaglandin.

    PubMed

    Ribeiro-Junior, Jerônimo Aparecido; Franchin, Marcelo; Cavallini, Miriam Elias; Denny, Carina; de Alencar, Severino Matias; Ikegaki, Masaharu; Rosalen, Pedro Luiz

    2015-01-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the gastroprotective activity of ethanolic extract of geopropolis (EEGP) from Melipona scutellaris and to investigate the possible mechanisms of action. The gastroprotective activity of the EEGP was evaluated using model ulcer induced by ethanol. To elucidate the possible mechanisms of action, we investigated the involvement of the nonprotein sulfhydryl (NP-SH) groups, nitric oxide and prostaglandins. In addition, the antisecretory activity of EEGP was also evaluated by pylorus ligated model. The EEGP orally administrated (300 mg/kg) reduced the ulcerative lesions induced by the ethanol (P < 0.05). Regarding the mechanism of action, the prior administration of nitric oxide and prostaglandins antagonists suppressed the activity of gastroprotective EEGP (P < 0.05). On the other hand the gastroprotective activity of EEGP was kept in the group pretreated with the antagonist of the NP-SH groups; furthermore the antisecretory activity was not significant (P > 0.05). These results support the alternative medicine use of geopropolis as gastroprotective and the activities observed show to be related to nitric oxide and prostaglandins production.

  5. Gastroprotective Effect of Geopropolis from Melipona scutellaris Is Dependent on Production of Nitric Oxide and Prostaglandin

    PubMed Central

    Ribeiro-Junior, Jerônimo Aparecido; Franchin, Marcelo; Cavallini, Miriam Elias; Denny, Carina; de Alencar, Severino Matias; Ikegaki, Masaharu; Rosalen, Pedro Luiz

    2015-01-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the gastroprotective activity of ethanolic extract of geopropolis (EEGP) from Melipona scutellaris and to investigate the possible mechanisms of action. The gastroprotective activity of the EEGP was evaluated using model ulcer induced by ethanol. To elucidate the possible mechanisms of action, we investigated the involvement of the nonprotein sulfhydryl (NP-SH) groups, nitric oxide and prostaglandins. In addition, the antisecretory activity of EEGP was also evaluated by pylorus ligated model. The EEGP orally administrated (300 mg/kg) reduced the ulcerative lesions induced by the ethanol (P < 0.05). Regarding the mechanism of action, the prior administration of nitric oxide and prostaglandins antagonists suppressed the activity of gastroprotective EEGP (P < 0.05). On the other hand the gastroprotective activity of EEGP was kept in the group pretreated with the antagonist of the NP-SH groups; furthermore the antisecretory activity was not significant (P > 0.05). These results support the alternative medicine use of geopropolis as gastroprotective and the activities observed show to be related to nitric oxide and prostaglandins production. PMID:25949263

  6. Folic Acid Promotes Recycling of Tetrahydrobiopterin and Protects Against Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension by Recoupling Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase.

    PubMed

    Chalupsky, Karel; Kračun, Damir; Kanchev, Ivan; Bertram, Katharina; Görlach, Agnes

    2015-11-10

    Nitric oxide (NO) derived from endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) has been implicated in the adaptive response to hypoxia. An imbalance between 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) and 7,8-dihydrobiopterin (BH2) can result in eNOS uncoupling and the generation of superoxide instead of NO. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) can recycle BH2 to BH4, leading to eNOS recoupling. However, the role of DHFR and eNOS recoupling in the response to hypoxia is not well understood. We hypothesized that increasing the capacity to recycle BH4 from BH2 would improve NO bioavailability as well as pulmonary vascular remodeling (PVR) and right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) as indicators of pulmonary hypertension (PH) under hypoxic conditions. In human pulmonary artery endothelial cells and murine pulmonary arteries exposed to hypoxia, eNOS was uncoupled as indicated by reduced superoxide production in the presence of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Concomitantly, NO levels, BH4 availability, and expression of DHFR were diminished under hypoxia. Application of folic acid (FA) restored DHFR levels, NO bioavailability, and BH4 levels under hypoxia. Importantly, FA prevented the development of hypoxia-induced PVR, right ventricular pressure increase, and RVH. FA-induced upregulation of DHFR recouples eNOS under hypoxia by improving BH4 recycling, thus preventing hypoxia-induced PH. FA might serve as a novel therapeutic option combating PH.

  7. Nitric Oxide Mediates 5-Aminolevulinic Acid-Induced Antioxidant Defense in Leaves of Elymus nutans Griseb. Exposed to Chilling Stress

    PubMed Central

    Fu, Juanjuan; Chu, Xitong; Sun, Yongfang; Miao, Yanjun; Xu, Yuefei; Hu, Tianming

    2015-01-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) and 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) are both extremely important signalling molecules employed by plants to control many aspects of physiology. In the present study, the role of NO in ALA-induced antioxidant defense in leaves of two sources of Elymus nutans Griseb. (Damxung, DX and Zhengdao, ZD) was investigated. Chilling stress enhanced electrolyte leakage, accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide radical in two E. nutans, which were substantially alleviated by exogenous ALA and NO application. Pretreatment with NO scavenger PTIO or NOS inhibitor L-NNA alone and in combination with ALA induced enhancements in electrolyte leakage and the accumulation of MDA, H2O2 and superoxide radical in leaves of DX and ZD exposed to chilling stress, indicating that the inhibition of NO biosynthesis reduced the chilling resistance of E. nutans and the ALA-enhanced chilling resistance. Further analyses showed that ALA and NO enhanced antioxidant defense and activated plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase and decreased the accumulation of ROS induced by chilling stress. A pronounced increase in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and NO release by exogenous ALA treatment was found in chilling-resistant DX plants exposed to chilling stress, while only a little increase was observed in chilling-sensitive ZD. Furthermore, inhibition of NO accumulation by PTIO or L-NNA blocked the protective effect of exogenous ALA, while both exogenous NO treatment and inhibition of endogenous NO accumulation did not induce ALA production. These results suggested that NO might be a downstream signal mediating ALA-induced chilling resistance in E. nutans. PMID:26151364

  8. Role of reactive nitrogen species generated via inducible nitric oxide synthase in vesicant-induced lung injury, inflammation and altered lung functioning

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sunil, Vasanthi R., E-mail: sunilvr@eohsi.rutgers.edu; Shen, Jianliang; Patel-Vayas, Kinal

    2012-05-15

    Pulmonary toxicity induced by sulfur mustard and related vesicants is associated with oxidative stress. In the present studies we analyzed the role of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) generated via inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lung injury and inflammation induced by vesicants using 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) as a model. C57Bl/6 (WT) and iNOS −/− mice were sacrificed 3 days or 14 days following intratracheal administration of CEES (6 mg/kg) or control. CEES intoxication resulted in transient (3 days) increases in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell and protein content in WT, but not iNOS −/− mice. This correlated with expression ofmore » Ym1, a marker of oxidative stress in alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells. In contrast, in iNOS −/− mice, Ym1 was only observed 14 days post-exposure in enlarged alveolar macrophages, suggesting that they are alternatively activated. This is supported by findings that lung tumor necrosis factor and lipocalin Lcn2 expression, mediators involved in tissue repair were also upregulated at this time in iNOS −/− mice. Conversely, CEES-induced increases in the proinflammatory genes, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and cyclooxygenase-2, were abrogated in iNOS −/− mice. In WT mice, CEES treatment also resulted in increases in total lung resistance and decreases in compliance in response to methacholine, effects blunted by loss of iNOS. These data demonstrate that RNS, generated via iNOS play a role in the pathogenic responses to CEES, augmenting oxidative stress and inflammation and suppressing tissue repair. Elucidating inflammatory mechanisms mediating vesicant-induced lung injury is key to the development of therapeutics to treat mustard poisoning. -- Highlights: ► Lung injury, inflammation and oxidative stress are induced by the model vesicant CEES ► RNS generated via iNOS are important in the CEES-induced pulmonary toxicity ► iNOS −/− mice are protected from CEES-induced lung

  9. Laser absorption of nitric oxide for thermometry in high-enthalpy air

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Spearrin, R. M.; Schultz, I. A.; Jeffries, J. B.; Hanson, R. K.

    2014-12-01

    The design and demonstration of a laser absorption sensor for thermometry in high-enthalpy air is presented. The sensor exploits the highly temperature-sensitive and largely pressure-independent concentration of nitric oxide in air at chemical equilibrium. Temperature is thus inferred from an in situ measurement of nascent nitric oxide. The strategy is developed by utilizing a quantum cascade laser source for access to the strong fundamental absorption band in the mid-infrared spectrum of nitric oxide. Room temperature measurements in a high-pressure static cell validate the suitability of the Voigt lineshape model to the nitric oxide spectra at high gas densities. Shock-tube experiments enable calibration of a collision-broadening model for temperatures between 1200-3000 K. Finally, sensor performance is demonstrated in a high-pressure shock tube by measuring temperature behind reflected shock waves for both fixed-chemistry experiments where nitric oxide is seeded, and for experiments involving nitric oxide formation in shock-heated mixtures of N2 and O2. Results show excellent performance of the sensor across a wide range of operating conditions from 1100-2950 K and at pressures up to 140 atm.

  10. Citrus nobiletin suppresses inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression in interleukin-1β-treated hepatocytes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Yoshigai, Emi; Ritsumeikan Global Innovation Research Organization; Machida, Toru

    Highlights: •Nobiletin is a polymethoxylated flavone that is abundant in citrus peels. •Nobiletin is a major constituent of the Citrus unshiu peel extract. •Nobiletin suppresses induction of NO and reduces iNOS expression in hepatocytes. •Nobiletin reduces the iNOS promoter activity and the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB. -- Abstract: Background: Nobiletin is a polymethoxylated flavone that is abundant in the peels of citrus fruits, such as Citrus unshiu (Satsuma mandarin) and Citrus sinensis. The dried peels of C. unshiu (chinpi) have been included in several formulae of Japanese Kampo medicines. Nobiletin may suppress the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS),more » which synthesizes the inflammatory mediator nitric oxide (NO) in hepatocytes. Methods: A C. unshiu peel (CUP) extract was prepared. Primary cultured rat hepatocytes were treated with the CUP extract or nobiletin in the presence of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), which induces iNOS expression. NO production and iNOS gene expression were analyzed. Results: High-performance liquid chromatography analyses revealed that the nobiletin content in the CUP extract was 0.14%. Nobiletin dose-dependently reduced the NO levels and decreased iNOS expression at the protein, mRNA and antisense transcript levels. Flavone, which does not contain any methoxy groups, also suppressed iNOS induction. Nobiletin reduced the transcriptional activity of iNOS promoter-luciferase constructs and the DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in the nuclei. Conclusions: The suppression of iNOS induction by nobiletin suggests that nobiletin may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of citrus peels and have a therapeutic potential for liver diseases.« less

  11. Hyperforin is a modulator of inducible nitric oxide synthase and phagocytosis in microglia and macrophages.

    PubMed

    Kraus, Birgit; Wolff, Horst; Elstner, Erich F; Heilmann, Jörg

    2010-06-01

    Upon activation, microglia, the immunocompetent cells in the brain, get highly phagocytic and release pro-inflammatory mediators like nitric oxide (NO). Excessive NO production is pivotal in neurodegenerative disorders, and there is evidence that abnormalities in NO production and inflammatory responses may at least support a range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression. Although extracts of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, notably for the treatment of depression, there is still considerable lack in scientific knowledge about the impact on microglia. We used N11 and BV2 mouse microglia, as well as RAW 264.7 macrophages to investigate the effects of St. John's wort extract and constituents thereof on NO production Moreover, flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy were employed to analyze the influence on phagocytosis, transcription factor activation states, and cell motility. We found that extracts of St. John's wort efficiently suppress lipopolysaccharide-induced NO release and identified hyperforin as the responsible compound, being effective at concentrations between 0.25 and 0.75 microM. The reduced NO production was mediated by diminished inducible nitric oxide synthase expression on the mRNA and protein level. In addition, at similar concentrations, hyperforin reduced zymosan phygocytosis to 20-40% and putatively acted by downregulating the CD206 macrophage mannose receptor and modulation of cell motility. We found that the observed effects correlate with a suppression of the activated state of Nf-kappaB and phospho-CREB, while c-JUN, STAT1, and HIF-1alpha activity and cyclooxygenase-2 expression remained unaffected by hyperforin. These results reveal that hyperforin influences pro-inflammatory and immunological responses of microglia that are involved in the progression of neuropathologic disorders.

  12. Measurements of nitric oxide after a nuclear burst

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mcghan, M.; Shaw, A.; Megill, L. R.; Sedlacek, W.; Guthals, P. R.; Fowler, M. M.

    1981-01-01

    Measurements of ozone and nitric oxide in a nuclear cloud 7 days after the explosion are reported. No measurable increase above ambient density of either ozone or nitric oxide was found. Results from a chemistry model of the cloud do not agree with the measurement unless 'nonstandard' assumptions are made with regard to the operating chemical processes. A number of possible explanations of the results are discussed.

  13. Nitric oxide in microgravity-induced orthostatic intolerance: relevance to spinal cord injury

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Vaziri, N. D.; Purdy, R. E. (Principal Investigator)

    2003-01-01

    Prolonged exposure to microgravity results in cardiovascular deconditioning which is marked by orthostatic intolerance in the returning astronauts and recovering bed-ridden patients. Recent studies conducted in our laboratories at University of California, Irvine have revealed marked elevation of nitric oxide (NO) production in the kidney, heart, brain, and systemic arteries coupled with significant reduction of NO production in the cerebral arteries of microgravity-adapted animals. We have further demonstrated that the observed alteration of NO metabolism is primarily responsible for the associated cardiovascular deconditioning. Recovery from acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is frequently complicated by orthostatic intolerance that is due to the combined effects of the disruption of efferent sympathetic pathway and cardiovascular deconditioning occasioned by prolonged confinement to bed. In this presentation, I will review the nature of altered NO metabolism and its role in the pathogenesis of microgravity-induced cardiovascular deconditioning. The possible relevance of the new findings to orthostatic intolerance in patients with acute SCI and its potential therapeutic implications will be discussed.

  14. Estimation of the nitric oxide formed from hydroxylamine by Nitrosomonas

    PubMed Central

    Anderson, J. H.

    1965-01-01

    1. Nitric oxide that was produced by reducing nitrite with an excess of acidified potassium iodide under nitrogen in Warburg respirometer flasks was rapidly absorbed by a solution of permanganate in sodium hydroxide held in the side arm. A small amount of nitrous oxide (or nitrogen) that was also produced was not absorbed. 2. By using a quantitative method for the recovery of nitrite from samples of the alkaline permanganate, it was found that the sum of the nitrite N formed and the residual nitrous oxide N was equivalent to the nitrite N used to generate the gases. These results showed that alkaline permanganate completely oxidized nitric oxide to nitrite. The method was suitable for determining 0·4–20 μmoles of nitric oxide. 3. The technique was used to determine the nitric oxide content of the nitrogenous gas that was produced anaerobically from hydroxylamine by an extract of the autotrophic nitrifying micro-organism Nitrosomonas in the presence of methylene blue as electron acceptor. PMID:14342235

  15. A nitric oxide burst precedes apoptosis in angiosperm and gymnosperm callus cells and foliar tissues.

    PubMed

    Pedroso, M C; Magalhaes, J R; Durzan, D

    2000-06-01

    Leaves and callus of Kalanchoë daigremontiana and Taxus brevifolia were used to investigate nitric oxide-induced apoptosis in plant cells. The effect of nitric oxide (NO) was studied by using a NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide-synthase (NOS) inhibitor, N:(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA), and centrifugation (an apoptosis-inducing treatment in these species). NO production was visualized in cells and tissues with a specific probe, diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF-2 DA). DNA fragmentation was detected in situ by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) method. In both species, NO was detected diffused in the cytosol of epidermal cells and in chloroplasts of guard cells and leaf parenchyma cells. Centrifugation increased NO production, DNA fragmentation and subsequent cell death by apoptosis. SNP mimicked centrifugation results. NMMA significantly decreased NO production and apoptosis in both species. The inhibitory effect of NMMA on NO production suggests that a putative NOS is present in Kalanchoë and Taxus cells. The present results demonstrated the involvement of NO on DNA damage leading to cell death, and point to a potential role of NO as a signal molecule in these plants.

  16. Nitric oxide production is not required for dihydrosphingosine-induced cell death in tobacco BY-2 cells.

    PubMed

    Da Silva, Daniel; Lachaud, Christophe; Cotelle, Valérie; Brière, Christian; Grat, Sabine; Mazars, Christian; Thuleau, Patrice

    2011-05-01

    Sphinganine or dihydrosphingosine (d18:0, DHS), one of the most abundant free sphingoid Long Chain Base (LCB) in plants, is known to induce a calcium dependent programmed cell death (PCD) in tobacco BY-2 cells. In addition, we have recently shown that DHS triggers a production of H2O2, via the activation of NADPH oxidase(s). However, this production of H2O2 is not correlated with the DHS-induced cell death but would rather be associated with basal cell defense mechanisms. In the present study, we extend our current knowledge of the DHS signaling pathway, by demonstrating that DHS also promotes a production of nitric oxide (NO) in tobacco BY-2 cells. As for H2O2, this NO production is not necessary for cell death induction. 

  17. Nitric oxide protects the mitochondria of anterior pituitary cells and prevents cadmium-induced cell death by reducing oxidative stress.

    PubMed

    Poliandri, Ariel H B; Machiavelli, Leticia I; Quinteros, Alnilan F; Cabilla, Jimena P; Duvilanski, Beatriz H

    2006-02-15

    Cadmium (Cd2+) is a highly toxic metal that affects the endocrine system. We have previously shown that Cd2+ induces caspase-3 activation and apoptosis of anterior pituitary cells and that endogenous nitric oxide (NO) protects these cells from Cd2+. Here we investigate the mechanisms by which NO exerts this protective role. Cd2+ (25 microM) reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) as measured by flow cytometry. Cd2+-induced apoptosis was mitochondrial dependent since cyclosporin A protected the cells from this metal. Inhibition of NO synthesis with 0.5 mM L-NAME increased the effect of Cd2+ on MMP, whereas the NO donor DETANONOate (0.1 mM) reduced it. Cd2+ increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as measured by flow cytometry. This effect was electron-transfer-chain-dependent since it was inhibited by rotenone. In fact, rotenone reduced the cytotoxic effect of the metal. The action of Cd2+ on mitochondrial integrity was ROS dependent. Trolox, an antioxidant, inhibited the effect of the metal on the MMP. Cd2+-induced increase in ROS generation was reduced by DETANONOate. There are discrepancies concerning the role of NO in Cd2+ toxicity. Here we show that NO reduces Cd2+ toxicity by protecting the mitochondria from oxidative stress in a system where NO plays a regulatory role.

  18. Inhibitory effects of indole α-lipoic acid derivatives on nitric oxide production in LPS/IFNγ activated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

    PubMed

    Karabay, Arzu Zeynep; Koc, Aslı; Gurkan-Alp, A Selen; Buyukbingol, Zeliha; Buyukbingol, Erdem

    2015-04-01

    Alpha-lipoic acid (α-lipoic acid) is a potent antioxidant compound that has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory effects. RAW 264.7 macrophages produce various inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-alpha upon activation with LPS (Lipopolysaccharide) and IFNγ (interferon gamma). In this study, the effect of 12 synthetic indole α-lipoic acid derivatives on nitric oxide production and iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) protein expression in LPS/IFNγ activated RAW 264.7 macrophages was determined. Cell proliferation, nitric oxide levels and iNOS protein expression were examined with thiazolyl blue tetrazolium blue test, griess assay and western blot, respectively. Our results showed that all of the indole α-lipoic acid derivatives showed significant inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production and iNOS protein levels (p < 0.05). The most active compounds were identified as compound I-4b, I-4e and II-3b. In conclusion, these indole α-lipoic acid derivatives may have the potential for treatment of inflammatory conditions related with high nitric oxide production. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  19. Effects of endotoxin induced lung injury and exercise in goats/sheep. Final report, 1 February 1992-2 June 1993

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Mundie, T.G.

    This study was designed the effects of exercise performed on animals already injured with E. coli endotoxin. This would tell us whether exercise makes the lung injury worse. It would also tell us how much exercise performance is impaired. These studies were designed to give further insights into the underlying causes of acute lung injury. Premature termination of the study prevented completion of the research project. It appeared from the limited experimentation conducted that maximal exercise was impaired by endotoxin-induced lung injury. Conclusions regarding exacerbation of endotoxin-induced lung injury cannot be made.... Acute lung injury, Maximal exercise, Endotoxin.

  20. Functional Layer-by-Layer Thin Films of Inducible Nitric Oxide (NO) Synthase Oxygenase and Polyethylenimine: Modulation of Enzyme Loading and NO-Release Activity.

    PubMed

    Gunasekera, Bhagya; Abou Diwan, Charbel; Altawallbeh, Ghaith; Kalil, Haitham; Maher, Shaimaa; Xu, Song; Bayachou, Mekki

    2018-03-07

    Nitric oxide (NO) release counteracts platelet aggregation and prevents the thrombosis cascade in the inner walls of blood vessels. NO-release coatings also prevent thrombus formation on the surface of blood-contacting medical devices. Our previous work has shown that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) films release NO fluxes upon enzymatic conversion of the substrate l-arginine. In this work, we report on the modulation of enzyme loading in layer-by-layer (LbL) thin films of inducible nitric oxide synthase oxygenase (iNOSoxy) on polyethylenimine (PEI). The layer of iNOSoxy is electrostatically adsorbed onto the PEI layer. The pH of the iNOSoxy solution affects the amount of enzyme adsorbed. The overall negative surface charge of iNOSoxy in solution depends on the pH and hence determines the density of adsorbed protein on the positively charged PEI layer. We used buffered iNOSoxy solutions adjusted to pHs 8.6 and 7.0, while saline PEI solution was used at pH 7.0. Atomic force microscopy imaging of the outermost layer shows higher protein adsorption with iNOSoxy at pH 8.6 than with a solution of iNOSoxy at pH 7.0. Graphite electrodes with PEI/iNOSoxy films show higher catalytic currents for nitric oxide reduction mediated by iNOSoxy. The higher enzyme loading translates into higher NO flux when the enzyme-modified surface is exposed to a solution containing the substrate and a source of electrons. Spectrophotometric assays showed higher NO fluxes with iNOSoxy/PEI films built at pH 8.6 than with films built at pH 7.0. Fourier transform infrared analysis of iNOSoxy adsorbed on PEI at pH 8.6 and 7.0 shows structural differences of iNOSoxy in films, which explains the observed changes in enzymatic activity. Our findings show that pH provides a strategy to optimize the NOS loading and enzyme activity in NOS-based LbL thin films, which enables improved NO release with minimum layers of PEI/NOS.

  1. Endometrial nitric oxide synthase activity in mares susceptible or resistant to persistent breeding-induced endometritis and the effect of a specific iNOS inhibitor in vitro.

    PubMed

    Khan, F A; Chenier, T S; Foster, R A; Hewson, J; Scholtz, E L

    2018-06-01

    Emerging research suggests that the nitric oxide system may play a role in persistent breeding-induced endometritis (PBIE) in the mare. Differences in uterine nitric oxide (NO) levels between mares susceptible or resistant to PBIE and a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of NO on uterine contractility have been demonstrated. The objectives of this study were to investigate the difference in total nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity of the endometrium between susceptible and resistant mares and the effect of a specific inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor on the endometrial NOS activity in vitro. Six susceptible and six resistant mares were selected based on preset criteria and the results of an intrauterine challenge with killed spermatozoa during oestrus. Endometrial biopsy samples were collected 24 hr post-challenge and cultured at 37°C for 24 hr in L-arginine supplemented minimum essential medium with or without a specific iNOS inhibitor (1,400 W dihydrochloride, 1 mM). The medium and the cultured endometrial tissue were collected after 24 hr of culture and assayed for NO and total protein, respectively. Total NO content of the medium, normalized to endometrial tissue wet weight or total protein, was used as a measure of endometrial NOS activity. Non-parametric tests were applied for statistical analysis. Susceptible mares had significantly greater endometrial NOS activity than resistant mares. The iNOS inhibitor treatment significantly reduced NOS activity in endometrial samples derived from susceptible and resistant mares. These findings provide a basis for in vivo testing of specific iNOS inhibitors as preventative or therapeutic options for PBIE in mares. © 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

  2. Role of eicosanoids, nitric oxide, and afferent neurons in antacid induced protection in the rat stomach.

    PubMed Central

    Lambrecht, N; Trautmann, M; Korolkiewicz, R; Liszkay, M; Peskar, B M

    1993-01-01

    The mechanism underlying the mucosal protective effect of antacids is still unclear. This study shows that in rats the aluminum containing antacid, hydrotalcit, induces dose dependent protection against gastric mucosal damage caused by ethanol or indomethacin which is considerably enhanced by acidification. Hydrotalcit did not increase gastric mucosal formation or the intraluminal release of prostaglandins, and did not prevent the increase in mucosal leukotriene C4 formation in response to ethanol. Pretreatment with indomethacin did not attenuate the protective effect of unmodified or acidified hydrotalcit. Furthermore, hydrotalcit significantly reduced the gastric damage caused by indomethacin even when it was administered up to 2 hours after the ulcerogen. In indomethacin treated rats, simultaneous administration of hydrotalcit did not affect the concentrations of indomethacin in serum or inflammatory exudates nor did it attenuate the inhibition of prostaglandin release into the exudates. In hydrotalcit treated rats there was no attenuation of the increase in sulphidopeptide leukotriene release or decrease in leukocyte influx into inflammatory exudates elicited by indomethacin administration. Functional ablation of afferent neurons and inhibition of endogenous nitric oxide partially antagonised the protective effect of unmodified, but not of acidified, hydrotalcit. It is concluded that (i) the protective effect of unmodified and acidified hydrotalcit is independent of the eicosanoid system; (ii) protection against indomethacin induced gastric lesions does not require treatment before dosing of the ulcerogen and does not interfere with absorption and anti-inflammatory actions of indomethacin; (iii) endogenous nitric oxide and afferent neurons contribute partly to the effect of unmodified, but not of acidified, hydrotalcit suggesting that different mechanisms mediate their mucosal protective activity. PMID:8472979

  3. JS-K, a nitric oxide prodrug, induces cytochrome c release and caspase activation in HL-60 myeloid leukemia cells.

    PubMed

    Udupi, Vidya; Yu, Margaret; Malaviya, Swati; Saavedra, Joseph E; Shami, Paul J

    2006-10-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) induces differentiation and apoptosis in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells. The NO prodrug O2-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)1-[(4-ethoxycarbonyl)piperazin-1-yl]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate, or JS-K, has potent antileukemic activity. JS-K induces apoptosis in HL-60 cells by a caspase-dependent mechanism. The purpose of this study was to determine the pathway through which JS-K induces apoptosis. We show that JS-K alters mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim) and induces cytochrome c release from mitochondria into the cytoplasm. Treatment with JS-K resulted in activation of Caspase (Casp) 9, Casp 3 and Casp 8. JS-K constitutes a promising lead for a new class of anti-leukemic agents.

  4. Protective immunity against Trypanosoma cruzi provided by oral immunization with Phytomonas serpens: role of nitric oxide.

    PubMed

    Pinge-Filho, P; Peron, J P S; de Moura, T R; Menolli, R A; Graça, V K; Estevão, D; Tadokoro, C E; Jankevicius, J V; Rizzo, L V

    2005-01-31

    We have previously demonstrated that Phytomonas serpens, a tomato parasite, shares antigens with Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoa that causes Chagas' disease. These antigens are recognized by human sera and induce protective immunity in Balb/c mice. In the present study, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) knockout (KO) mice and C57BL/6 mice treated with the nitric oxide inhibitor, aminoguanidine (AG, 50 mg kg(-1)) infected with T. cruzi, were used to demonstrate the role of nitric oxide (NO) to host protection against T. cruzi infection achieved by oral immunization with live P. serpens. A reduction in parasitaemia and an increase in survival were observed in C57BL/6 infected mice and previously immunized with P. serpens, when compared to non-immunized mice. iNOS (KO) mice immunized and C57BL/6 immunized and treated with AG presented parasitaemia and mortality rates comparable to those of infected and non-immunized mice. By itself, immunization with P. serpens did not induce inflammation in the myocardium, but C57BL/6 mice so immunized showed fewer amastigotes nests in the heart following an acute T. cruzi infection than those in non-immunized mice. These results suggest that protective immunity against T. cruzi infection induced by immunization with P. serpens is dependent upon enhanced NO production during the acute phase of T. cruzi infection.

  5. In vivo cardiac electrical activity of nitric oxide in barium chloride treated male rats

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Salihi, Abbas B. Q.; Shekha, Mudhir S.; Hamadamin, Peshraw S.; Maulood, Ismail M.; Rasul, Khder H.; Salim, Muhammed A.; Qadir, Fikry A.; Othman, Goran Q.; Mahmud, Almas M. R.; Al-Habib, Omar A. M.

    2017-09-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nitric oxide in barium chloride (BaCl2)-induced arrhythmia in male albino rats. 10mg/kg/hr of BaCl2 was infused intravenously through caudal vein to induce arrhythmia, to ameliorate this effect 1mg and 10mg/kg/hr of sodium nitroprusside (SNP; nitric oxide donor) were infused, respectively. The ECG signals and parameters were recorded and analyzed with the aid of BioAmp of ADInstruments data acquisition system and Labchart software. The results showed that infusion of both 1mg/kg/hr and 10mg/kg/hr of SNP non significantly changed heart rate (BPM), QRS interval (s), S amplitude (mV), T amplitude (mV), ST height (mV), JT height (mV), QT intervals (s) and QTc (s). In conclusion the results of the current study indicate that SNP cannot ameliorate arrhythmia-induced by BaCl2.

  6. Mechanism and Kinetics of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Auto-S-Nitrosation and Inactivation†

    PubMed Central

    Smith, Brian C.; Fernhoff, Nathaniel B.; Marletta, Michael A.

    2012-01-01

    Nitric oxide (NO), the product of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) reaction, was previously shown to result in S-nitrosation of the NOS Zn2+-tetrathiolate and inactivation of the enzyme. To probe the potential physiological significance of NOS S-nitrosation, the inactivation timescale of the inducible NOS isoform (iNOS) was determined and found to directly correlate with an increase in iNOS S-nitrosation. A kinetic model of NOS inactivation in which arginine is treated as a suicide substrate was developed. In this model, NO synthesized at the heme cofactor is partitioned between release into solution (NO release pathway) and NOS S-nitrosation followed by NOS inactivation (inactivation pathway). Experimentally determined progress curves of NO formation were fit to the model. The NO release pathway was perturbed through addition of the NO traps oxymyoglobin (MbO2) and β2 H-NOX, which yielded partition ratios between NO release and inactivation of ~100 at 4 μM MbO2 and ~22,000 at saturating trap concentrations. The results suggest that a portion of the NO synthesized at the heme cofactor reacts with the Zn2+-tetrathiolate without being released into solution. Perturbation of the inactivation pathway through addition of the reducing agents GSH or TCEP resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in iNOS S-nitrosation that directly correlated with protection from iNOS inactivation. iNOS inactivation was most responsive to physiological concentrations of GSH with an apparent Km value of 13 mM. NOS turnover that leads to NOS S-nitrosation might be a mechanism to control NOS activity, and NOS S-nitrosation could play a role in the physiological generation of nitrosothiols. PMID:22242685

  7. Nitric oxide averts hypoxia-induced damage during reoxygenation in rat heart.

    PubMed

    Rus, Alma; Molina, Francisco; Peinado, M Ángeles; Del Moral, M Luisa

    2011-12-01

    Nitric oxide (NO), synthesized by the hemoproteins NO synthases (NOS), is known to play important roles in physiological and pathological conditions in the heart, including hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). This work investigates the role that endogenous NO plays in the cardiac H/R-induced injury. A follow-up study was conducted in Wistar rats subjected to 30 min of hypoxia, with or without prior treatment using the nonselective NOS inhibitor L-NAME (1.5 mM). The rats were studied at 0 h, 12 h, and 5 days of reoxygenation, analysing parameters of cell, and tissue damage (lipid peroxidation, apoptosis, and protein nitration), as well as in situ NOS activity and NO production (NOx). The results showed that after L-NAME administration, in situ NOS activity was almost completely eliminated in all the experimental groups, and consequently, NOx levels fell. Contrarily, the lipid peroxidation level and the percentage of apoptotic cells rose throughout the reoxygenation period. These results reveal that NOS inhibition exacerbates the peroxidative and apoptotic damage observed before the treatment with L-NAME in the hypoxic heart, pointing to a cardioprotective role of NOS-derived NO against H/R-induced injury. These findings could open the possibility of future studies to design new therapies for H/R-dysfunctions based on NO-pharmacology. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  8. Endotoxin-induced shock in the rat. A role for C5a.

    PubMed Central

    Smedegård, G.; Cui, L. X.; Hugli, T. E.

    1989-01-01

    Administration of endotoxin from gram-negative bacteria to rats results in systemic hypotension, an increased hematocrit, and decreased numbers of circulating leukocytes (polymorphonuclear), monocytes, and platelets. These potentially lethal physiologic changes may be partially attributed to complement activation and generation of anaphylatoxins by the endotoxin (LPS). We demonstrated an elevation in the plasma levels of both C3a and C5a in LPS-treated rats. Injection of 5 micrograms C5ades Arg (rat) into rats produced effects similar to those induced by LPS, including decreased mean arterial pressure (systemic hypotension) and decreased numbers of circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes, monocytes, and platelets. Unlike the response to LPS, C5a did not increase the hematocrit, indicating little effect on vascular permeability at the doses used. When LPS-treated animals were pretreated with F(ab')2 fragments of rabbit anti-rat C5a, no changes were measured in the circulating cell counts compared with LPS alone; however a significant improvement in the mean arterial pressure and a decrease in hematocrit was observed. We conclude that LPS-induced (septic) shock in the rat may result, in part, from the effects of complement activation and particularly from the generation of C5a. The influence of C5a on the LPS effect in the rat appears to enhance both the hypotensive (mean arterial pressure) and vascular permeability (hematocrit) responses. These results appear to support and confirm earlier observations that anti-human C5a increased survival in a septic-shock monkey model by eliminating circulating C5a and presumably thereby reducing the effects of endotoxin on blood pressure. Our results demonstrate that C5a plays a significant role in the hemodynamic changes associated with endotoxin-induced shock. Neutralization of C5a with specific antibodies may reduce the hypotensive response to endotoxin sufficiently to prevent lethal septic shock both in animals and in man

  9. Process for combined control of mercury and nitric oxide.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Livengood, C. D.; Mendelsohn, M. H.

    Continuing concern about the effects of mercury in the environment may lead to requirements for the control of mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. If such controls are mandated, the use of existing flue-gas cleanup systems, such as wet scrubbers currently employed for flue-gas desulfurization, would be desirable, Such scrubbers have been shown to be effective for capturing oxidized forms of mercury, but cannot capture the very insoluble elemental mercury (Hg{sup 0}) that can form a significant fraction of the total emissions. At Argonne National Laboratory, we have proposed and tested a concept for enhancing removal of Hg{sup 0}, as well as nitric oxide, through introduction of an oxidizing agent into the flue gas upstream of a scrubber, which readily absorbs the soluble reaction products. Recently, we developed a new method for introducing the oxidizing agent into the flue-gas stream that dramatically improved reactant utilization. The oxidizing agent employed was NOXSORB{trademark}, which is a commercial product containing chloric acid and sodium chlorate. When a dilute solution of this agent was introduced into a gas stream containing Hg{sup 0} and other typical flue-gas species at 300 F, we found that about 100% of the mercury was removed from the gas phase and recovered in process liquids. At the same time, approximately 80% of the nitric oxide was removed. The effect of sulfur dioxide on this process was also investigated and the results showed that it slightly decreased the amount of Hg{sup 0} oxidized while appearing to increase the removal of nitric oxide from the gas phase. We are currently testing the effects of variations in NOXSORB{trademark} concentration, sulfur dioxide concentration, nitric oxide concentration, and reaction time (residence time). Preliminary economic projections based on the results to date indicate that the chemical cost for nitric oxide oxidation could be less thanmore » $$5,000/ton removed, while for Hg{sup 0

  10. Inorganic Nitrate Promotes the Browning of White Adipose Tissue through the Nitrate-Nitrite-Nitric Oxide Pathway

    PubMed Central

    Roberts, Lee D; Ashmore, Tom; Kotwica, Aleksandra O; Murfitt, Steven A; Fernandez, Bernadette O; Feelisch, Martin; Griffin, Julian L

    2015-01-01

    Inorganic nitrate was once considered an oxidation end-product of nitric oxide metabolism with little biological activity. However, recent studies have demonstrated that dietary nitrate can modulate mitochondrial function in man and is effective in reversing features of the metabolic syndrome in mice. Using a combined histological, metabolomics, and transcriptional and protein analysis approach we mechanistically define that nitrate not only increases the expression of thermogenic genes in brown-adipose tissue but also induces the expression of brown adipocyte-specific genes and proteins in white adipose tissue, substantially increasing oxygen consumption and fatty acid β-oxidation in adipocytes. Nitrate induces these phenotypic changes through a mechanism distinct from known physiological small molecule activators of browning, the recently identified nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway. The nitrate-induced browning effect was enhanced in hypoxia, a serious co-morbidity affecting white adipose tissue in obese individuals, and corrected impaired brown adipocyte-specific gene expression in white adipose tissue in a murine model of obesity. Since resulting beige/brite cells exhibit anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects, nitrate may be an effective means of inducing the browning response in adipose tissue to treat the metabolic syndrome. PMID:25249574

  11. A rhodium(III) complex inhibits LPS-induced nitric oxide production and angiogenic activity in cellulo.

    PubMed

    Liu, Li-Juan; Lin, Sheng; Chan, Daniel Shiu-Hin; Vong, Chi Teng; Hoi, Pui Man; Wong, Chun-Yuen; Ma, Dik-Lung; Leung, Chung-Hang

    2014-11-01

    Metal-containing complexes have arisen as viable alternatives to organic molecules as therapeutic agents. Metal complexes possess a number of advantages compared to conventional carbon-based compounds, such as distinct geometries, interesting electronic properties, variable oxidation states and the ability to arrange different ligands around the metal centre in a precise fashion. Meanwhile, nitric oxide (NO) plays key roles in the regulation of angiogenesis, vascular permeability and inflammation. We herein report a novel cyclometalated rhodium(III) complex as an inhibitor of lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Experiments suggested that the inhibition of NO production in cells by complex 1 was mediated through the down-regulation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity. Furthermore, complex 1 inhibited angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as revealed by an endothelial tube formation assay. This study demonstrates that kinetically inert rhodium(III) complexes may be potentially developed as effective anti-angiogenic agents. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. n-Propyl gallate suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase activation through protein kinase Cδ-mediated up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 in RAW264.7 macrophages.

    PubMed

    Jeon, Wookwang; Park, Seong Ji; Kim, Byung-Chul

    2017-04-15

    n-Propyl gallate is a synthetic phenolic antioxidant with potential anti-inflammatory effects. However, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. In the present study, we showed that n-propyl gallate increases the expression and activity of the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a stress-inducible protein with potent anti-inflammatory activity, in RAW264.7 macrophages. The inhibition of the HO-1 activity by treatment with zinc (II) protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) or by knockdown of the HO-1 expression with small interference RNA significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of n-Propyl gallate on activations of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). An additional mechanism study using inhibitors of signaling kinases revealed the involvement of protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) in the expression of HO-1 induced by n-Propyl gallate. Consistent with these results, n-Propyl gallate increased the intracellular levels of phosphorylated PKCδ in concentration- and time-dependent manners. The inhibitory effects of n-Propyl gallate on LPS-induced iNOS expression and nitric oxide production were also significantly attenuated by pretreatment with the PKCδ inhibitor, rottlerin, or by transfection with PKCδ (K376R), a kinase-inactive form of PKCδ. Taken together, these findings provide the first evidence that n-Propyl gallate exerts its anti-inflammatory effect through PKCδ-mediated up-regulation of HO-1 in macrophages. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. 7-Nitroindazole, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, enhances the anticonvulsive action of ethosuximide and clonazepam against pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions.

    PubMed

    Borowicz, K K; Luszczki, J; Kleinrok, Z; Czuczwar, S J

    2000-01-01

    The interaction of 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, with the protective activity of conventional antiepileptics against pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures was tested in mice. Alone, 7-nitroindazole (up to 50mg/kg) was ineffective in this model of experimental epilepsy. However, it potentiated the anticonvulsive activity of ethosuximide and clonazepam, significantly reducing their ED50S against PTZ-induced convulsions (from 144 to 76 mg/kg, and from 0.05 to 0.016 mg/kg, respectively). Conversely, the protective actions of valproate and phenobarbital were not affected by the NOS inhibitor. Since the nitric oxide precursor, L-arginine, did not reverse the action of 7-NI on ethosuximide or clonazepam, an involvement of central NO does not seem probable. Neither ethosuximide nor clonazepam, administered at their ED50S (144 and 0.05 mg/kg, respectively), produced significant adverse effects as regards motor coordination (chimney test) and long-term memory (passive avoidance task). Also 7-NI (50 mg/kg) and its combinations with ethosuximide and clonazepam (providing a 50% protection against PTZ-evoked seizures) did not disturb motor and mnemonic performance in mice. The interaction at the pharmacokinetic level does not seem probable, at least in the case of ethosuximide, because the NOS inhibitor did not interfere with its plasma or brain concentrations.

  14. Nitric oxide synthase expression in foetal placentas of cows with retained fetal membranes.

    PubMed

    Shixin, Fu; Li, Zhang; Chunhai, Luo; Chuang, Xu; Cheng, Xia; Zhe, Wang; Xiaobing, Li

    2011-10-01

    The objectives of this study were to investigate relationship of retained fetal membranes (RFM) to expression of NOS and NOS mRNA and to analyze pathohistological changes and the distribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in foetal placentas of cows with RFM. Twenty cows were assigned to two groups, a control group (no retained fetal membranes, NRFM, n = 10) and a diseased group (RFM, n = 10). The endpoint method was used to detect the nitric oxide (NO) content and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in foetal placental tissue fluid and the fluorescent quantitation PCR was used to measure the expression of NOS mRNA. Immunohistochemistry and hematoxylin-eosin staining were used to observe pathohistological changes. Tissue from RFM cows showed fibronecrosis of the chorionic villi, and a decreased number of trophoblastic cells. The majority of trophoblastic cells displayed vacuolar degeneration. Interstitium vessels were distended and congested. Expression of induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein and iNOS mRNA was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the cytoplasm of placental villus trophoblastic cells in the RFM group. But expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein and eNOS mRNA was significantly lower (P<0.05) in the RFM group. The NO content and NOS activity of cows with RFM were significantly higher (P < 0.05). A high expression of iNOS protein and iNOS mRNA in the cow foetal placenta could produce high content of NO, which might inhibit uterine contraction. So over expression of iNOS protein and iNOS mRNA might be an important agent of retained fetal membranes in cows, and it may be a potential diagnosis biomarker. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. The production of nitric oxide in EL4 lymphoma cells overexpressing growth hormone.

    PubMed

    Arnold, Robyn E; Weigent, Douglas A

    2003-01-01

    Growth hormone (GH) is produced by immunocompetent cells and has been implicated in the regulation of a multiplicity of functions in the immune system involved in growth and activation. However, the actions of endogenous or lymphocyte GH and its contribution to immune reactivity when compared with those of serum or exogenous GH are still unclear. In the present study, we overexpressed lymphocyte GH in EL4 lymphoma cells, which lack the GH receptor (GHR), to determine the role of endogenous GH in nitric oxide (NO) production and response to genotoxic stress. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the levels of GH increased approximately 40% in cells overexpressing GH (GHo) when compared with cells with vector alone. The results also show a substantial increase in NO production in cells overexpressing GH that could be blocked by N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), an L-arginine analogue that competitively inhibits all three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). No evidence was obtained to support an increase in peroxynitrite in cells overexpressing GH. Overexpression of GH increased NOS activity, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) promoter activity, and iNOS protein expression, whereas endothelial nitric oxide synthase and neuronal nitric oxide synthase protein levels were essentially unchanged. In addition, cells overexpressing GH showed increased arginine transport ability and intracellular arginase activity when compared with control cells. GH overexpression appeared to protect cells from the toxic effects of the DNA alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate. This possibility was suggested by maintenance of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential in cells overexpressing GH when compared with control cells that could be blocked by L-NMMA. Taken together, the data support the notion that lymphocyte GH, independently of the GH receptor, may play a key role in the survival of lymphocytes exposed to stressful stimuli via the production of NO.

  16. cAMP inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and NF-kappaB-binding activity in cultured rat hepatocytes.

    PubMed

    Harbrecht, B G; Taylor, B S; Xu, Z; Ramalakshmi, S; Ganster, R W; Geller, D A

    2001-08-01

    The inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is strongly expressed following inflammatory stimuli. Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) increases iNOS expression and activity in a number of cell types but decreases cytokine-stimulated iNOS expression in hepatocytes. The mechanisms for this effect are unknown. Rat hepatocytes were stimulated with cytokines to induce iNOS and cultured with cAMP agonists dibutyryl-cAMP (dbcAMP), 8-bromo-cAMP, and forskolin (FSK). Nitric oxide synthesis was assessed by supernatant nitrite levels and iNOS expression was measured by Northern and Western blot analyses. Nuclear factor kappaB binding was assessed by electromobility shift assay. Cyclic AMP dose dependently decreased NO synthesis in response to a combination of proinflammatory cytokines or interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) alone. The adenylate cyclase inhibitor SQ 22,536 increased cytokine- or IL-1beta-stimulated NO synthesis. dbcAMP decreased iNOS mRNA expression and iNOS protein expression. Both dbcAMP and glucagon decreased iNOS promoter activity in rat hepatocytes transfected with the murine iNOS promoter and decreased DNA binding of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. These data suggest that cAMP is important in hepatocyte iNOS expression and agents that alter cAMP levels may profoundly alter the response of hepatocytes to inflammatory stimuli through effects onthe iNOS promoter region and NF-kappaB. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

  17. Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression by novel nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory derivatives with gastrointestinal-sparing properties.

    PubMed Central

    Cirino, G.; Wheeler-Jones, C. P.; Wallace, J. L.; Del Soldato, P.; Baydoun, A. R.

    1996-01-01

    1. The effects of novel nitric oxide-releasing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compounds (NO-NSAIDs) on induction of nitric oxide (NO) synthase by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were examined in a murine cultured macrophage cell line, J774. 2. LPS-induced nitrite production was markedly attenuated by the nitroxybutylester derivatives of flurbiprofen (FNBE), aspirin, ketoprofen, naproxen, diclofenac and ketorolac, with each compound reducing accumulated nitrite levels by > 40% at the maximum concentrations (100 micrograms ml-1) used. 3. Further examination revealed that nitrite production was inhibited in a concentration-dependent (1-100 micrograms ml-1) manner by FNBE which at 100 micrograms ml-1 decreased LPS-stimulated levels by 63.3 +/- 8.6% (n = 7). The parent compound flurbiprofen was relatively ineffective over the same concentration-range, inhibiting nitrite accumulation by 24 +/- 0.9% (n = 3) at the maximum concentration used (100 micrograms ml-1). 4. FNBE reduced LPS-induced nitrite production when added to cells up to 4 h after LPS. Thereafter, FNBE caused very little or no reduction in nitrite levels. Furthermore NO-NSAIDs (100 micrograms ml-1) did not inhibit the metabolism of L-[3H]-arginine to citrulline by NO synthase isolated from LPS-activated macrophages. 5. Western blot analysis demonstrated that NO synthase expression was markedly attenuated following co-incubation of J774 cell with LPS (1 microgram ml-1; 24 h) and FNBE (100 micrograms ml-1; 24 h). Thus taken together, these findings indicate that NO-NSAIDs inhibit induction of NO synthase without directly affecting enzyme activity. 6. In conclusion our results indicate that NO-NSAIDs can inhibit the inducible L-arginine-NO pathway, and are capable of suppressing NO synthesis by inhibiting expression of NO synthase. The clinical implications of these findings remain to be established. Images Figure 4 PMID:8730734

  18. Inhaled nitric oxide pretreatment but not posttreatment attenuates ischemia-reperfusion-induced pulmonary microvascular leak.

    PubMed

    Chetham, P M; Sefton, W D; Bridges, J P; Stevens, T; McMurtry, I F

    1997-04-01

    Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) pulmonary edema probably reflects a leukocyte-dependent, oxidant-mediated mechanism. Nitric oxide (NO) attenuates leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions and I/R-induced microvascular leak. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) agonists reverse and prevent I/R-induced microvascular leak, but reversal by inhaled NO (INO) has not been tested. In addition, the role of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) activation in the NO protection effect is unknown. Rat lungs perfused with salt solution were grouped as either I/R, I/R with INO (10 or 50 ppm) on reperfusion, or time control. Capillary filtration coefficients (Kfc) were estimated 25 min before ischemia (baseline) and after 30 and 75 min of reperfusion. Perfusate cell counts and lung homogenate myeloperoxidase activity were determined in selected groups. Additional groups were treated with either INO (50 ppm) or isoproterenol (ISO-10 microM) after 30 min of reperfusion. Guanylyl cyclase was inhibited with 1H-[1,2,4]Oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ-15 microM), and Kfc was estimated at baseline and after 30 min of reperfusion. (1) Inhaled NO attenuated I/R-induced increases in Kfc. (2) Cell counts were similar at baseline. After 75 min of reperfusion, lung neutrophil retention (myeloperoxidase activity) and decreased perfusate neutrophil counts were similar in all groups. (3) In contrast to ISO, INO did not reverse microvascular leak. (4) 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-br-cGMP) prevented I/R-induced microvascular leak in ODQ-treated lungs, but INO was no longer effective. Inhaled NO attenuates I/R-induced pulmonary microvascular leak, which requires sGC activation and may involve a mechanism independent of inhibition of leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions. In addition, INO is ineffective in reversing I/R-induced microvascular leak.

  19. EPCK1, a vitamin C and E analogue, reduces endotoxin-induced systemic inflammation in mice.

    PubMed

    Shingu, Chihiro; Hagiwara, Satoshi; Iwasaka, Hideo; Matsumoto, Shigekiyo; Koga, Hironori; Yokoi, Isao; Noguchi, Takayuki

    2011-12-01

    Phosphate ester of vitamin C and vitamin E (EPCK1), a strong antioxidant, is a water- and lipid-soluble phosphate ester of vitamin C and vitamin E. In the current study, we tested whether EPCK1 inhibits oxidative stress and prevents systemic inflammation. Mice were randomly divided into a negative control group, a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis group, and a group treated with an intraperitoneal infusion of EPCK1 (10 mg/kg) prior to or following LPS administration. In addition, RAW 264.7 cells were treated with LPS in the presence or absence of EPCK1. We examined levels of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in both in vivo and in vitro experiments, and liver histopathology in the in vivo experiment. Liver histopathology significantly improved in the EPCK1 group compared with the LPS group. Although LPS administration increased HMGB1 and nitric oxide (NO) secretion, EPCK1 decreased the secretion of these mediators in vitro and in vivo. Our findings suggest that EPCK1 may inhibit inflammation and potentially function as a novel anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Chlorogenic acid suppresses lipopolysaccharide‑induced nitric oxide and interleukin‑1β expression by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 activation in RAW264.7 cells.

    PubMed

    Kim, Sang-Hun; Park, Sun-Young; Park, Young-Lan; Myung, Dae-Seong; Rew, Jong-Sun; Joo, Young-Eun

    2017-12-01

    Chlorogenic acid (CA) is a phenolic compound purified from coffee, fruits and their associated beverages, which possess various biological properties, such as antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activities. The present study evaluated the effects of CA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells and the associated intracellular signaling pathways using reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assays. CA pretreatment inhibited LPS‑induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nitric oxide (NO) and pro‑inflammatory mediators including interleukin (IL)‑6, tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α), macrophage inflammatory protein‑2 (MIP‑2) and IL‑1β in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, phosphorylation of Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) with LPS was inhibited by CA pretreatment. CA and STAT3 inhibitor (STAT3i) pretreatment inhibited LPS‑induced nuclear translocation of phosphorylated STAT3. In addition, STAT3i inhibited the LPS‑induced expression of iNOS, NO and IL‑1β similar to the results of CA pretreatment. By contrast, STAT3i did not inhibit the LPS‑induced increase in IL‑6, TNF‑α and MIP‑2 expression. These results indicate that CA may suppress LPS‑induced NO and IL‑1β expression by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 activation in RAW264.7 cells.

  1. Budesonide inhalation ameliorates endotoxin-induced lung injury in rabbits

    PubMed Central

    Gao, Wei

    2015-01-01

    Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a serious clinical problem that has a 30–50% mortality rate. Budesonide has been used to reduce lung injury. This study aims to investigate the effects of nebulized budesonide on endotoxin-induced ARDS in a rabbit model. Twenty-four rabbits were randomized into three groups. Rabbits in the control and budesonide groups were injected with endotoxin. Thereafter, budesonide or saline was instilled, ventilated for four hours, and recovered spontaneous respiratory. Peak pressure, compliance, and PaO2/FiO2 were monitored for 4 h. After seven days, PaO2/FiO2 ratios were measured. Wet-to-dry weight ratios, total protein, neutrophil elastase, white blood cells, and percentage of neutrophils in BALF were evaluated. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8, and IL-10 in BALF were detected. Lung histopathologic injury and seven-day survival rate of the three groups were recorded. Peak pressure was downregulated, but compliance and PaO2/FiO2 were upregulated by budesonide. PaO2/FiO2 ratios significantly increased due to budesonide. Wet-to-dry weight ratios, total protein, neutrophil elastase, white blood cells and percentage of neutrophils in BALF decreased in the budesonide group. TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8 levels decreased in BALF, while IL-10 levels increased in the budesonide group. Lung injuries were reduced and survival rate was upregulated by budesonide. Budesonide effectively ameliorated respiratory function, attenuated endotoxin-induced lung injury, and improved the seven-day survival rate. PMID:25956681

  2. Budesonide inhalation ameliorates endotoxin-induced lung injury in rabbits.

    PubMed

    Gao, Wei; Ju, Nanying

    2015-12-01

    Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a serious clinical problem that has a 30-50% mortality rate. Budesonide has been used to reduce lung injury. This study aims to investigate the effects of nebulized budesonide on endotoxin-induced ARDS in a rabbit model. Twenty-four rabbits were randomized into three groups. Rabbits in the control and budesonide groups were injected with endotoxin. Thereafter, budesonide or saline was instilled, ventilated for four hours, and recovered spontaneous respiratory. Peak pressure, compliance, and PaO2/FiO2 were monitored for 4 h. After seven days, PaO2/FiO2 ratios were measured. Wet-to-dry weight ratios, total protein, neutrophil elastase, white blood cells, and percentage of neutrophils in BALF were evaluated. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8, and IL-10 in BALF were detected. Lung histopathologic injury and seven-day survival rate of the three groups were recorded. Peak pressure was downregulated, but compliance and PaO2/FiO2 were upregulated by budesonide. PaO2/FiO2 ratios significantly increased due to budesonide. Wet-to-dry weight ratios, total protein, neutrophil elastase, white blood cells and percentage of neutrophils in BALF decreased in the budesonide group. TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8 levels decreased in BALF, while IL-10 levels increased in the budesonide group. Lung injuries were reduced and survival rate was upregulated by budesonide. Budesonide effectively ameliorated respiratory function, attenuated endotoxin-induced lung injury, and improved the seven-day survival rate. © 2015 by the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine.

  3. Gene transfer of inducible nitric oxide synthase complementary DNA regresses the fibrotic plaque in an animal model of Peyronie's disease.

    PubMed

    Davila, Hugo H; Magee, Thomas R; Vernet, Dolores; Rajfer, Jacob; Gonzalez-Cadavid, Nestor F

    2004-11-01

    The goal of the present study was to investigate the antifibrotic role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in Peyronie's disease (PD) by determining whether a plasmid expressing iNOS (piNOS) injected into a PD-like plaque can induce regression of the plaque. A PD-like plaque was induced with fibrin in the penile tunica albuginea of mice and then injected with a luciferase-expressing plasmid (pLuc), either alone or with piNOS, following luciferase expression in vivo by bioluminescence imaging. Rats were treated with either piNOS, an empty control plasmid (pC), or saline. Other groups were treated with pC or piNOS, in the absence of fibrin. Tissue sections were stained for collagen, transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1, and plasminogen-activator inhibitor (PAI-1) as profibrotic factors; copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn SOD) as scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS); and nitrotyrosine to detect nitric oxide reaction with ROS. Quantitative image analysis was applied. Both iNOS and xanthine oxido-reductase (XOR; oxidative stress) were estimated by Western blot analysis. Luciferase reporter expression was restricted to the penis, peaked at 3 days after injection, but continued for at least 3 wk. In rats receiving piNOS, iNOS expression also peaked at 3 days, but expression decreased at the end of treatment, when a considerable reduction of plaque size occurred. Protein nitrotyrosine, XOR, and CuZn SOD increased, and TGFbeta1 and PAI-1 decreased. The piNOS gene transfer regressed the PD plaque and expression of profibrotic factors, supporting the view that endogenous iNOS induction in PD is defense mechanism by the tissue against fibrosis.

  4. Nitric oxide mediates lung injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

    PubMed

    Kao, Shang Jyh; Peng, Tai-Chu; Lee, Ru Ping; Hsu, Kang; Chen, Chao-Fuh; Hung, Yu-Kuen; Wang, David; Chen, Hsing I

    2003-01-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) has been reported to play a role in lung injury (LI) induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). However, controversy exists as to the potential beneficial or detrimental effect of NO. In the present study, an in situ, perfused rat lung model was used to study the possible role of NO in the LI induced by I/R. The filtration coefficient (Kfc), lung weight gain (LWG), protein concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage (PCBAL), and pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) were measured to evaluate the degree of pulmonary hypertension and LI. I/R resulted in increased Kfc, LWG, and PCBAL. These changes were exacerbated by inhalation of NO (20-30 ppm) or 4 mM L-arginine, an NO precursor. The permeability increase and LI caused by I/R could be blocked by exposure to 5 mM N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; a nonspecific NO synthase inhibitor), and this protective effect of L-NAME was reversed with NO inhalation. Inhaled NO prevented the increase in PAP caused by I/R, while L-arginine had no such effect. L-NAME tended to diminish the I/R-induced elevation in PAP, but the suppression was not statistically significant when compared to the values in the I/R group. These results indicate that I/R increases Kfc and promotes alveolar edema by stimulating endogenous NO synthesis. Exogenous NO, either generated from L-arginine or delivered into the airway, is apparently also injurious to the lung following I/R. Copyright 2003 National Science Council, ROC and S. Karger AG, Basel

  5. Krüppel-like factor 4 regulates the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase induced by TNF-α in human fibroblast-like synoviocyte MH7A cells.

    PubMed

    Mo, Xuanrong; Chen, Jie; Wang, Xinjuan; Pan, Zhenyu; Ke, Yuping; Zhou, Zhidong; Xie, Jiangwen; Lv, Guoju; Luo, Xinjing

    2018-01-01

    Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), a zinc finger transcription factor, has been implicated in the inflammation mediated by macrophages and endothelial cells by regulating the expression of inflammatory mediators. Here, we investigated whether KLF4 affects the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), an important inflammatory mediator, in the human RA fibroblast-like synovial cell line MH7A. A pcDNA3.1-KLF4 plasmid or short interfering RNA KLF4 was transfected into MH7A cells, and the iNOS expression and nitric oxide (NO) production were analyzed by quantitative PCR, immunoblotting, and nitrite measurement. The iNOS promoter activity was determined by luciferase assay. The results showed overexpression of KLF4 increased iNOS expression and NO production in the presence or absence of TNF-α. Conversely, KLF4 knockdown markedly reduced iNOS expression and NO production induced by TNF-α. KLF4 activated the transcription activity of iNOS promoter in MH7A cells stimulated by TNF-α. This study indicates that KLF4 is important for regulating the expression of iNOS by TNF-α in human synoviocytes.

  6. Arginase activity and nitric oxide levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

    PubMed Central

    Yüksel, Meral; Okur, Hacer Kuzu; Pelin, Zerrin; Öğünç, Ayliz Velioğlu; Öztürk, Levent

    2014-01-01

    OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is characterized by repetitive obstruction of the upper airways, and it is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. There have been several studies demonstrating low levels of nitric oxide in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome compared with healthy controls. In this study, we hypothesized that reduced nitric oxide levels would result in high arginase activity. Arginase reacts with L-arginine and produces urea and L-ornithine, whereas L-arginine is a substrate for nitric oxide synthase, which produces nitric oxide. METHODS: The study group consisted of 51 obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients (M/F: 43/8; mean age 49±10 years of age) and 15 healthy control subjects (M/F: 13/3; mean age 46±14 years of age). Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients were divided into two subgroups based on the presence or absence of cardiovascular disease. Nitric oxide levels and arginase activity were measured via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of serum samples. RESULTS: Serum nitric oxide levels in the control subjects were higher than in the obstructive sleep apnea patients with and without cardiovascular diseases (p<0.05). Arginase activity was significantly higher (p<0.01) in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients without cardiovascular diseases compared with the control group. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients with cardiovascular diseases had higher arginase activity than the controls (p<0.001) and the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients without cardiovascular diseases (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Low nitric oxide levels are associated with high arginase activity. The mechanism of nitric oxide depletion in sleep apnea patients suggests that increased arginase activity might reduce the substrate availability of nitric oxide synthase and thus could reduce nitric oxide levels. PMID:24714832

  7. Effect of placental tissue on inhibition of uterine contraction by nitric oxide donors.

    PubMed

    Syal, A; Okawa, T; Vedernikov, Y; Chwalisz, K; Saade, G R; Garfield, R E

    1999-08-01

    Our purpose was to test the hypothesis that placental tissue modulates the effect of nitric oxide on spontaneous uterine contractility in pregnant rats. Rings (approximately 4 mm) of uterus taken from rats on day 14 (midpregnancy, n = 6), day 18 (late pregnancy, n = 4), and day 22 (term, n = 4) of gestation were placed in organ chambers filled with Krebs-bicarbonate buffer bubbled with 5% carbon dioxide in air (37 degrees C, pH approximately 7.4) for isometric tension recording. In some rings a piece of placenta was left attached to the uterine wall. In the other rings the fetuses, placentas, and membranes were removed completely. Change of spontaneous contractions of the rings (percentage change of basal integral activity for 10 minutes) in response to cumulative concentrations of the nitric oxide donors diethylamine-nitric oxide and nitroglycerin (10(-6) mol/L to 10(-4) mol/L) were compared between rings with and without placenta. Diethylamine-nitric oxide and nitroglycerin inhibited spontaneous uterine contractions in rings from midpregnancy, in both the absence and the presence of placenta. In rings from midpregnancy, the maximal inhibition of contractions by diethylamine-nitric oxide but not by nitroglycerin was significantly (P <.05) higher in the presence (26.7% +/- 3.5% of basal activity) than in the absence (39. 6% +/- 3.3%) of placenta. Inhibition of contraction by nitric oxide donors in rings from late and term pregnancy was less than in midpregnancy, and the presence of placental tissue did not influence the responses. The presence of placental tissue enhances inhibition of uterine contractility by agents that spontaneously release nitric oxide, such as diethylamine-nitric oxide, but not by nitroglycerin, which requires metabolic transformation for nitric oxide to be released. Refractoriness to nitric oxide near or at term does not depend on the presence or absence of placental tissue.

  8. Nitric oxide signaling: systems integration of oxygen balance in defense of cell integrity.

    PubMed

    Gong, Li; Pitari, Giovanni M; Schulz, Stephanie; Waldman, Scott A

    2004-01-01

    Nitric oxide has emerged as a ubiquitous signaling molecule subserving diverse pathophysiologic processes, including cardiovascular homeostasis and its decompensation in atherogenesis. Recent insights into molecular mechanisms regulating nitric oxide generation and the rich diversity of mechanisms by which it propagates signals reveal the role of this simple gas as a principle mediator of systems integration of oxygen balance. The molecular lexicon by which nitric oxide propagates signals encompasses the elements of posttranslational modification of proteins by redox-based nitrosylation of transition metal centers and free thiols. Spatial and temporal precision and specificity of signal initiation, amplification, and propagation are orchestrated by dynamic assembly of supramolecular complexes coupling nitric oxide production to upstream and downstream components in specific subcellular compartments. The concept of local paracrine signaling by nitric oxide over subcellular distances for short durations has expanded to include endocrine-like effects over anatomic spatial and temporal scales. From these insights emerges a role for nitric oxide in integrating system responses controlling oxygen supply and demand to defend cell integrity in the face of ischemic challenge. In this context, nitric oxide coordinates the respiratory cycle to acquire and deliver oxygen to target tissues by regulating hemoglobin function and vascular smooth muscle contractility and matches energy supply and demand by down-regulating energy-requiring functions while shifting metabolism to optimize energy production. Insights into mechanisms regulating nitric oxide production and signaling and their integration into responses mediating homeostasis place into specific relief the role of those processes in pathophysiology. Indeed, endothelial dysfunction associated with altered production of nitric oxide regulating tissue integrity contributes to the pathogenesis underlying atherogenesis

  9. Role of Oxygen Free Radicals, Nitric Oxide and Mitochondria in Mediating Cardiac Alterations During Liver Cirrhosis Induced by Thioacetamide.

    PubMed

    Amirtharaj, G Jayakumar; Natarajan, Sathish Kumar; Pulimood, Anna; Balasubramanian, K A; Venkatraman, Aparna; Ramachandran, Anup

    2017-04-01

    Thioacetamide (TAA) administration is widely used for induction of liver cirrhosis in rats, where reactive oxygen radicals (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) participate in development of liver damage. Cardiac dysfunction is an important complication of liver cirrhosis, but the role of ROS or NO in cardiac abnormalities during liver cirrhosis is not well understood. This was investigated in animals after TAA-induced liver cirrhosis and temporal changes in oxidative stress, NO and mitochondrial function in the heart evaluated. TAA induced elevation in cardiac levels of nitrate before development of frank liver cirrhosis, without gross histological alterations. This was accompanied by an early induction of P38 MAP kinase, which is influenced by ROS and plays an important signaling role for induction of iNOS. Increased nitrotyrosine, protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation in the heart and cardiac mitochondria, suggestive of oxidative stress, also preceded frank liver cirrhosis. However, compromised cardiac mitochondrial function with a decrease in respiratory control ratio and increased mitochondrial swelling was seen later, when cirrhosis was evident. In conclusion, TAA induces elevations in ROS and NO in the heart in parallel to early liver damage. This leads to later development of functional deficits in cardiac mitochondria after development of liver cirrhosis.

  10. Remote sensing of nitric oxide emissions from planes, trains and automobiles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Popp, Peter John

    Remote sensing has been proven as an effective method for measuring in-use mobile source emissions. This document describes the development of a remote sensor for mobile source nitric oxide, based on an instrument previously developed at the University of Denver for measuring carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions. The new remote sensor makes use of a high-speed ultraviolet spectrometer to quantify nitric oxide by absorption spectroscopy at 226 nm in the ultraviolet region. The high-speed spectrometer is coupled to an existing FEAT remote sensor, for the simultaneous measurement of CO, CO2 and hydrocarbons by non-dispersive infrared absorption spectroscopy. The utility of the instrument was demonstrated in the measurement of nitric oxide emissions from automobiles, commercial aircraft, and railroad locomotives. The remote sensor was used to measure nitric oxide emissions from motor vehicles in Chicago in 1997 and 1998, as part of a five-year study to characterize motor vehicle emissions and deterioration in that city. Emissions data were collected for over 19,000 vehicles in 1997 and almost 23,000 vehicles in 1998. All of these records contained valid measurements for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, in addition to nitric oxide. In September of 1997, a study was conducted with the cooperation of British Airways and the British Airports Authority to demonstrate the capability of the remote sensor in measuring nitric oxide emissions from in-use commercial aircraft. In two days of sampling at London Heathrow Airport, a total of 122 measurements were made of 90 different aircraft, ranging in size from Gulfstream executive jets to Boeing 747-400s. The measured nitric oxide emission indices were not inconsistent with commercial aircraft emission indices published by the International Civil Aviation Organization. The utility of the remote sensor in measuring nitric oxide emissions from railroad locomotives was demonstrated in January of 1999, in a study conducted with

  11. Antimicrobial Activity of Nitric Oxide-Releasing Ti-6Al-4V Metal Oxide

    PubMed Central

    Reger, Nina A.; Meng, Wilson S.; Gawalt, Ellen S.

    2017-01-01

    Titanium and titanium alloy materials are commonly used in joint replacements, due to the high strength of the materials. Pathogenic microorganisms can easily adhere to the surface of the metal implant, leading to an increased potential for implant failure. The surface of a titanium-aluminum-vanadium (Ti-6Al-4V) metal oxide implant material was functionalized to deliver an small antibacterial molecule, nitric oxide. S-nitroso-penicillamine, a S-nitrosothiol nitric oxide donor, was covalently immobilized on the metal oxide surface using self-assembled monolayers. Infrared spectroscopy was used to confirm the attachment of the S-nitrosothiol donor to the Ti-Al-4V surface. Attachment of S-nitroso-penicillamine resulted in a nitric oxide (NO) release of 89.6 ± 4.8 nmol/cm2 under physiological conditions. This low concentration of nitric oxide reduced Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis growth by 41.5 ± 1.2% and 25.3 ± 0.6%, respectively. Combining the S-nitrosothiol releasing Ti-6Al-4V with tetracycline, a commonly-prescribed antibiotic, increased the effectiveness of the antibiotic by 35.4 ± 1.3%, which allows for lower doses of antibiotics to be used. A synergistic effect of ampicillin with S-nitroso-penicillamine-modified Ti-6Al-4V against S. epidermidis was not observed. The functionalized Ti-6Al-4V surface was not cytotoxic to mouse fibroblasts. PMID:28635681

  12. Folic Acid Promotes Recycling of Tetrahydrobiopterin and Protects Against Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension by Recoupling Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase

    PubMed Central

    Chalupsky, Karel; Kračun, Damir; Kanchev, Ivan; Bertram, Katharina

    2015-01-01

    Abstract Aims: Nitric oxide (NO) derived from endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) has been implicated in the adaptive response to hypoxia. An imbalance between 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) and 7,8-dihydrobiopterin (BH2) can result in eNOS uncoupling and the generation of superoxide instead of NO. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) can recycle BH2 to BH4, leading to eNOS recoupling. However, the role of DHFR and eNOS recoupling in the response to hypoxia is not well understood. We hypothesized that increasing the capacity to recycle BH4 from BH2 would improve NO bioavailability as well as pulmonary vascular remodeling (PVR) and right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) as indicators of pulmonary hypertension (PH) under hypoxic conditions. Results: In human pulmonary artery endothelial cells and murine pulmonary arteries exposed to hypoxia, eNOS was uncoupled as indicated by reduced superoxide production in the presence of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Concomitantly, NO levels, BH4 availability, and expression of DHFR were diminished under hypoxia. Application of folic acid (FA) restored DHFR levels, NO bioavailability, and BH4 levels under hypoxia. Importantly, FA prevented the development of hypoxia-induced PVR, right ventricular pressure increase, and RVH. Innovation: FA-induced upregulation of DHFR recouples eNOS under hypoxia by improving BH4 recycling, thus preventing hypoxia-induced PH. Conclusion: FA might serve as a novel therapeutic option combating PH. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 23, 1076–1091. PMID:26414244

  13. Nitric Oxide Induces Cardiac Protection by Preventing Extracellular Matrix Degradation through the Complex Caveolin-3/EMMPRIN in Cardiac Myocytes

    PubMed Central

    Cuadrado, Irene; Castejon, Borja; Martin, Ana M.; Saura, Marta; Reventun-Torralba, Paula; Zamorano, Jose Luis

    2016-01-01

    Inhibition of Extracellular Matrix degradation by nitric oxide (NO) induces cardiac protection against coronary ischemia/reperfusion (IR). Glycosylation of Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer (EMMPRIN) stimulates enzymatic activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the heart, although the mechanisms leading to EMMPRIN glycosylation are poorly understood. We sought to determine if NO may induce cardiac protection by preventing glycosylation of EMMPRIN in a mouse model of IR. Here we found that Caveolin-3 binds to low glycosylated EMMPRIN (LG-EMMPRIN) in cardiac cells and in the hearts of healthy mice, whereas IR disrupted the complex in nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) knockout (KO) mice. By contrast, the binding was partially restored when mice were fed with an NO donor (DEA-NO) in the drinking water, showing a significant reduction on infarct size (NOS2KO: 34.6±5 vs NOS2KO+DEA-NO: 20.7±9), in expression of matrix metalloproteinases, and cardiac performance was improved (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). NOS2KO: 31±4 vs NOS2KO+DEA-NO: 46±6). The role of Caveolin-3/EMMPRIN in NO-mediated cardiac protection was further assayed in Caveolin-3 KO mice, showing no significant improvement on infarct size (Caveolin-3 KO: 34.8±3 vs Caveolin-3 KO+DEA-NO:33.7±5), or in the expression of MMPs, suggesting that stabilization of the complex Caveolin-3/LG-EMMPRIN may play a significant role in the cardioprotective effect of NO against IR. PMID:27649573

  14. Nitric Oxide Induces Cardiac Protection by Preventing Extracellular Matrix Degradation through the Complex Caveolin-3/EMMPRIN in Cardiac Myocytes.

    PubMed

    Cuadrado, Irene; Castejon, Borja; Martin, Ana M; Saura, Marta; Reventun-Torralba, Paula; Zamorano, Jose Luis; Zaragoza, Carlos

    2016-01-01

    Inhibition of Extracellular Matrix degradation by nitric oxide (NO) induces cardiac protection against coronary ischemia/reperfusion (IR). Glycosylation of Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer (EMMPRIN) stimulates enzymatic activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the heart, although the mechanisms leading to EMMPRIN glycosylation are poorly understood. We sought to determine if NO may induce cardiac protection by preventing glycosylation of EMMPRIN in a mouse model of IR. Here we found that Caveolin-3 binds to low glycosylated EMMPRIN (LG-EMMPRIN) in cardiac cells and in the hearts of healthy mice, whereas IR disrupted the complex in nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) knockout (KO) mice. By contrast, the binding was partially restored when mice were fed with an NO donor (DEA-NO) in the drinking water, showing a significant reduction on infarct size (NOS2KO: 34.6±5 vs NOS2KO+DEA-NO: 20.7±9), in expression of matrix metalloproteinases, and cardiac performance was improved (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). NOS2KO: 31±4 vs NOS2KO+DEA-NO: 46±6). The role of Caveolin-3/EMMPRIN in NO-mediated cardiac protection was further assayed in Caveolin-3 KO mice, showing no significant improvement on infarct size (Caveolin-3 KO: 34.8±3 vs Caveolin-3 KO+DEA-NO:33.7±5), or in the expression of MMPs, suggesting that stabilization of the complex Caveolin-3/LG-EMMPRIN may play a significant role in the cardioprotective effect of NO against IR.

  15. SOIL NITROUS OXIDE, NITRIC OXIDE, AND AMMONIA EMISSIONS FROM A RECOVERING RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEM IN SOUTHERN APPALACHIA

    EPA Science Inventory

    The paper presents two years of seasonal nitric oxide, ammonia, and nitrous oxide trace gas fluxes measured in a recovering riparian zone with cattle excluded and in an adjacent riparian zone grazed by cattle. In the recovering riparian zone, average nitric oxide, ammonia, and ni...

  16. Functional Nitric Oxide Nutrition to Combat Cardiovascular Disease.

    PubMed

    Bryan, Nathan S

    2018-03-17

    To reveal the mechanisms of nitric oxide (NO) production in humans and how lifestyle, drug therapy, and hygienic practices can decrease NO production. Furthermore, to show how functional nitric oxide nutrition can overcome these limitations to restore endogenous NO production and combat cardiovascular disease. Research over the past decade has revealed that inorganic nitrate and nitrite found naturally in green leafy vegetables and other vegetables such as beets can provide the human body with a source of bioactive nitric oxide. NO is one of the most important molecules produced within the cardiovascular system that maintains normal blood pressure and prevents inflammation, immune dysfunction, and oxidative stress, hallmarks of cardiovascular disease. This pathway is dependent upon the amount of inorganic nitrate and nitrite in the foods we eat, the presence of oral nitrate-reducing bacteria, and sufficient stomach acid production. The concept of food being medicine and medicine being food has lost its place in the practice and implementation of modern medicine over the past century. Certain dietary patterns and specific foods are known to confer very significant protective effects for many human diseases, including cardiovascular disease, the number one killer of men and women in the developed world. However, identification of single or multiple bioactive molecules that are responsible for these effects has escaped scientists and nutritionists for many years. This review will highlight the biochemical, physiological, and epidemiological basis for functional nitric oxide nutrition that can be safely and effectively utilized in patients.

  17. Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in Heart Tissue and Nitric Oxide in Serum of Trypanosoma cruzi-Infected Rhesus Monkeys: Association with Heart Injury

    PubMed Central

    Carvalho, Cristiano Marcelo Espinola; Silverio, Jaline Coutinho; da Silva, Andrea Alice; Pereira, Isabela Resende; Coelho, Janice Mery Chicarino; Britto, Constança Carvalho; Moreira, Otacílio Cruz; Marchevsky, Renato Sergio; Xavier, Sergio Salles; Gazzinelli, Ricardo Tostes; da Glória Bonecini-Almeida, Maria; Lannes-Vieira, Joseli

    2012-01-01

    Background The factors contributing to chronic Chagas' heart disease remain unknown. High nitric oxide (NO) levels have been shown to be associated with cardiomyopathy severity in patients. Further, NO produced via inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS/NOS2) is proposed to play a role in Trypanosoma cruzi control. However, the participation of iNOS/NOS2 and NO in T. cruzi control and heart injury has been questioned. Here, using chronically infected rhesus monkeys and iNOS/NOS2-deficient (Nos2 −/−) mice we explored the participation of iNOS/NOS2-derived NO in heart injury in T. cruzi infection. Methodology Rhesus monkeys and C57BL/6 and Nos2 −/− mice were infected with the Colombian T. cruzi strain. Parasite DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction, T. cruzi antigens and iNOS/NOS2+ cells were immunohistochemically detected in heart sections and NO levels in serum were determined by Griess reagent. Heart injury was assessed by electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram (ECHO), creatine kinase heart isoenzyme (CK-MB) activity levels in serum and connexin 43 (Cx43) expression in the cardiac tissue. Results Chronically infected monkeys presented conduction abnormalities, cardiac inflammation and fibrosis, which resembled the spectrum of human chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC). Importantly, chronic myocarditis was associated with parasite persistence. Moreover, Cx43 loss and increased CK-MB activity levels were primarily correlated with iNOS/NOS2+ cells infiltrating the cardiac tissue and NO levels in serum. Studies in Nos2 −/− mice reinforced that the iNOS/NOS2-NO pathway plays a pivotal role in T. cruzi-elicited cardiomyocyte injury and in conduction abnormalities that were associated with Cx43 loss in the cardiac tissue. Conclusion T. cruzi-infected rhesus monkeys reproduce features of CCC. Moreover, our data support that in T. cruzi infection persistent parasite-triggered iNOS/NOS2 in the cardiac tissue and NO overproduction might contribute to CCC

  18. Caffeinated nitric oxide-releasing lozenge improves cycling time trial performance.

    PubMed

    Lee, J; Kim, H T; Solares, G J; Kim, K; Ding, Z; Ivy, J L

    2015-02-01

    Boosting nitric oxide production during exercise by various means has been found to improve exercise performance. We investigated the effects of a nitric oxide releasing lozenge with added caffeine (70 mg) on oxygen consumption during steady-state exercise and cycling time trial performance using a double-blinded randomized, crossover experimental design. 15 moderately trained cyclists (7 females and 8 males) were randomly assigned to ingest the caffeinated nitric oxide lozenge or placebo 5 min before exercise. Oxygen consumption and blood lactate were assessed at rest and at 50%, 65% and 75% maximal oxygen consumption. Exercise performance was assessed by time to complete a simulated 20.15 km cycling time-trial course. No significant treatment effects for oxygen consumption or blood lactate at rest or during steady-state exercise were observed. However, time-trial performance was improved by 2.1% (p<0.01) when participants consumed the nitric oxide lozenge (2,424±69 s) compared to placebo (2,476±78 s) and without a significant difference in rating of perceived exertion. These results suggest that acute supplementation with a caffeinated nitric oxide releasing lozenge may be a practical and effective means of improving aerobic exercise performance. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  19. Arrest of B16 Melanoma Cells in the Mouse Pulmonary Microcirculation Induces Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase-Dependent Nitric Oxide Release that Is Cytotoxic to the Tumor Cells

    PubMed Central

    Qiu, Hongming; Orr, F.William; Jensen, Derrek; Wang, Hui Helen; McIntosh, Alan R.; Hasinoff, Brian B.; Nance, Dwight M.; Pylypas, Susan; Qi, Ke; Song, Chun; Muschel, Ruth J.; Al-Mehdi, Abu-Bakr

    2003-01-01

    Metastatic cancer cells seed the lung via blood vessels. Because endothelial cells generate nitric oxide (NO) in response to shear stress, we postulated that the arrest of cancer cells in the pulmonary microcirculation causes the release of NO in the lung. After intravenous injection of B16F1 melanoma cells, pulmonary NO increased sevenfold throughout 20 minutes and approached basal levels by 4 hours. NO induction was blocked by NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and was not observed in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-deficient mice. NO production, visualized ex vivo with the fluorescent NO probe diaminofluorescein diacetate, increased rapidly at the site of tumor cell arrest, and continued to increase throughout 20 minutes. Arrested tumor cells underwent apoptosis with apoptotic counts more than threefold over baseline at 8 and 48 hours. Neither the NO signals nor increased apoptosis were seen in eNOS knockout mice or mice pretreated with L-NAME. At 48 hours, 83% of the arrested cells had cleared from the lungs of wild-type mice but only ∼55% of the cells cleared from eNOS-deficient or L-NAME pretreated mice. eNOS knockout and L-NAME-treated mice had twofold to fivefold more metastases than wild-type mice, measured by the number of surface nodules or by histomorphometry. We conclude that tumor cell arrest in the pulmonary microcirculation induces eNOS-dependent NO release by the endothelium adjacent to the arrested tumor cells and that NO is one factor that causes tumor cell apoptosis, clearance from the lung, and inhibition of metastasis. PMID:12547699

  20. Long-term treatment of anterior pituitary cells with nitric oxide induces programmed cell death.

    PubMed

    Velardez, Miguel Omar; Poliandri, Ariel Hernán; Cabilla, Jimena Paula; Bodo, Cristian Carlos Armando; Machiavelli, Leticia Inés; Duvilanski, Beatriz Haydeé

    2004-04-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) plays a complex role in modulating programmed cell death. It can either protect the cell from apoptotic death or mediate apoptosis, depending on its concentration and the cell type and/or status. In this study, we demonstrate that long-term exposition to NO induces cell death of anterior pituitary cells from Wistar female rats. DETA NONOate (Z)-1-[2-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl)amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate, 1 mm], a NO donor that releases NO for an extended period of time, decreased cellular viability and prolactin release from primary cultures of anterior pituitary cells. Morphological studies showed an increase in the number of cells with chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation at 24 and 48 h after DETA/NO exposure. DNA internucleosomal fragmentation was also observed at the same time. Reversibility of the NO effect on cellular viability and prolactin release was observed only when the cells were incubated with DETA/NO for less than 6 h. Most apoptotic cells were immunopositive for prolactin, suggesting a high susceptibility of lactotrophs to the effect of NO. The cytotoxic effect of NO is dependent of caspase-9 and caspase-3, but seems to be independent of oxidative stress or nitrosative stress. Our results show that the exposition of anterior pituitary cells to NO for long periods induces programmed cell death of anterior pituitary cells.

  1. Gastric damage and granulocyte infiltration induced by indomethacin in tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1) or inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) deficient mice

    PubMed Central

    Souza, M H L P; Lemos, H. Paula; Oliveira, R B; Cunha, F Q

    2004-01-01

    Background: Tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is involved in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug induced gastropathy. Nitric oxide (NO) is a mediator of gastrointestinal mucosal defence but, paradoxically, it also contributes to mucosal damage. Aims: We optimised the C57BL/6 mouse model of indomethacin induced gastropathy to evaluate the role of TNF-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) generated NO in gastric damage and granulocyte infiltration using tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1−/−) or iNOS (iNOS−/−) deficient mice. Methods: Different doses of indomethacin (2.5, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg) were administered and animals were assessed 6, 12, or 24 hours later. Gastric damage was measured by the sum of all erosions in the gastric mucosa, and gastric granulocyte infiltration was determined by myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Other groups of wild-type mice received thalidomide, dexamethasone, fucoidin, l-NAME, or 1400W, and then indomethacin was administered. Additionally, indomethacin was administered to TNF-R1−/− or iNOS−/−. Gastric damage and MPO activity were evaluated 12 hours later. Results: Indomethacin induced dose and time dependent gastric damage and increase in MPO activity in wild-type mice, with the greatest effect at a dose of 10 mg/kg and after 12 hours. Treatment with thalidomide, dexamethasone, or fucoidin reduced gastric damage and MPO activity induced by indomethacin. After indomethacin administration, TNF-R1−/− had less gastric damage and MPO activity than controls. Genetic (knockout mice) or pharmacological (1400W and l-NAME) inhibition of iNOS activity reduced indomethacin induced gastric damage, despite no reduction in MPO activity. Conclusion: TNF-α, acting via TNF-R1, is involved in indomethacin induced gastric damage and granulocyte infiltration. Furthermore, iNOS generated NO is involved in gastric damage induced by indomethacin. PMID:15138204

  2. Nitric oxide is involved in the hypothyroidism with significant morphology changes in female Wistar rats induced by chronic exposure to high water iodine from potassium iodate.

    PubMed

    Rong, Shengzhong; Gao, Yanhui; Yang, Yanmei; Shao, Hanwen; Okekunle, Akinkunmi Paul; Lv, Chunpeng; Du, Yang; Sun, Hongna; Jiang, Yuting; Darko, Gottfried M; Sun, Dianjun

    2018-05-03

    Epidemiological studies indicated that chronic exposure to high water iodine is associated with primary hypothyroidism (PH) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). However, the mechanism is not well understood. In this study, we explored whether chronic exposure to high water iodine from potassium iodate (KIO 3 ) can induce hypothyroidism in addition to determining if nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the pathogenesis. 96 female Wistar rats were divided into six groups: control, I 1000μg/L , I 3000μg/L , I 6000μg/L , N-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) and L-NAME+I 6000μg/L . After 3 months, urine iodine concentration, thyroid hormone, NO and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) serum levels were determined. Additionally, thyroid expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was also investigated. Thyroid morphology was observed under light microscopy and transmission electron microscope. SCH as indicated by elevated serum thyrotropin (TSH) was induced among rats exposed to 3000 μg/L I - , while rats treated with 6000 μg/L I - presented PH characterized by elevated TSH and lowered total thyroxine in serum. Moreover, serum NO, NOS and iNOS expression in the thyroid were significantly increased in I 3000μg/L and I 6000μg/L groups. Changes in thyroid function and morphology in the L-NAME+I 6000μg/L group were extenuated compared to I 6000μg/L group. These findings suggested that chronic exposure to high water iodine from KIO 3 likely induces hypothyroidism with significant morphology changes in female Wistar rats and NO appears to be involved in the pathogenesis. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Androstenediol inhibits the trauma-hemorrhage-induced increase in caspase-3 by downregulating the inducible nitric oxide synthase pathway.

    PubMed

    Kiang, Juliann G; Peckham, Russell M; Duke, Leah E; Shimizu, Tomoharu; Chaudry, Irshad H; Tsokos, George C

    2007-03-01

    Soft tissue trauma and hemorrhage (T-H) diminishes various aspects of liver function, while it increases hepatic nitrate/nitrite, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and endothelin-1 levels. Treatment with androstenediol (AED) inhibits the T-H-induced alterations of the above parameters. We sought to identify the molecular events underlying the beneficial effect of AED. Exposure of rats to T-H significantly increased the caspase-3 activity and protein, whereas treatment with AED significantly limited these increases. AED treatment also suppressed the T-H-induced increase in iNOS by effectively altering the levels of key transcription factors involved in the regulation of iNOS expression. Immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting analyses indicate that T-H increased apoptosome formation, and AED treatment significantly decreased it. Modulating the iNOS protein by transfecting cells with iNOS gene or small interfering RNA further confirmed the correlation between iNOS and caspase-3. Our data indicate that AED limits caspase-3 expression by suppressing the expression of transcription factors involved in the production of iNOS, resulting in decreased apoptosome. AED can potentially be a useful adjuvant for limiting liver apoptosis following T-H shock.

  4. Intracellular formation of ”undisruptable” dimers of inducible nitric oxide synthase

    PubMed Central

    Kolodziejski, Pawel J.; Rashid, Mohammad B.; Eissa, N. Tony

    2003-01-01

    Overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. iNOS is active only as a homodimer. Dimerization of iNOS represents a potentially critical target for therapeutic intervention. In this study, we show that intracellular iNOS forms dimers that are ”undisruptable” by boiling, denaturants, or reducing agents. Undisruptable (UD) dimers are clearly distinguishable from the easily dissociated dimers formed by iNOS in vitro. UD dimers do not form in Escherichia coli-expressed iNOS and could not be assembled in vitro, which suggests that an in vivo cellular process is required for their formation. iNOS UD dimers are not affected by intracellular depletion of H4B. However, the mutation of Cys-115 (critical for zinc binding) greatly affects the formation of UD dimers. This study reveals insight into the mechanisms of in vivo iNOS dimer formation. UD dimers represent a class of iNOS dimers that had not been suspected. This unanticipated finding revises our understanding of the mechanisms of iNOS dimerization and lays the groundwork for future studies aimed at modulating iNOS activity in vivo. PMID:14614131

  5. Nitric Oxide in the Crustacean Brain: Regulation of Neurogenesis and Morphogenesis in the Developing Olfactory Pathway

    PubMed Central

    Benton, J.L.; Sandeman, D.C.; Beltz, B.S.

    2009-01-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) plays major roles during development and in adult organisms. We examined the temporal and spatial patterns of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) appearance in the embryonic lobster brain to localize sources of NO activity; potential NO targets were identified by defining the distribution of NO-induced cGMP. Staining patterns are compared with NOS and cyclic 3,5 guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) distribution in adult lobster brains. Manipulation of NO levels influences olfactory glomerular formation and stabilization, as well as levels of neurogenesis among the olfactory projection neurons. In the first 2 days following ablation of the lateral antennular flagella in juvenile lobsters, a wave of increased NOS immunoreactivity and a reduction in neurogenesis occur. These studies implicate nitric oxide as a developmental architect and also support a role for this molecule in the neural response to injury in the olfactory pathway. PMID:17948307

  6. Nitric oxide synthase inhibition reduces muscle inflammation and necrosis in modified muscle use

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pizza, F. X.; Hernandez, I. J.; Tidball, J. G.

    1998-01-01

    The objective of this study was to determine the role of nitric oxide in muscle inflammation, fiber necrosis, and apoptosis of inflammatory cells in vivo. The effects of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition on the concentrations of neutrophils, ED1+ and ED2+ macrophages, apoptotic inflammatory cells, and necrotic muscle fibers in rats subjected to 10 days of hindlimb unloading and 2 days of reloading were determined. Administration of NOS inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) significantly reduced the concentrations of neutrophils, ED1+ and ED2+ macrophages, and necrotic fibers in soleus muscle relative to water-treated controls. The concentration of apoptotic inflammatory cells was also significantly lower for L-NAME-treated animals compared with water-treated controls. However, the proportion of the inflammatory cell population that was apoptotic did not differ between L-NAME-treated and control animals, suggesting that L-NAME treatment did not decrease inflammatory cell populations by increasing the frequency of apoptosis. Thus, nitric oxide or one of its intermediates promotes muscle inflammation and fiber necrosis during modified muscle use and plays no more than a minor role in the resolution of muscle inflammation by inducing apoptosis of inflammatory cells.

  7. Thiopental inhibits nitric oxide production in rat aorta.

    PubMed

    Castillo, C; Asbun, J; Escalante, B; Villalón, C M; López, P; Castillo, E F

    1999-12-01

    We studied whether thiopental affects endothelial nitric oxide dependent vasodilator responses and nitrite production (an indicator of nitric oxide production) elicited by acetylcholine, histamine, and A23187 in rat aorta (artery in which nitric oxide is the main endothelial relaxant factor). In addition, we evaluated the barbiturate effect on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in both rat aorta and kidney homogenates. Thiopental (10-100 microg/mL) reversibly inhibited the endothelium-dependent relaxation elicited by acetylcholine, histamine, and A23187. On the contrary, this anesthetic did not modify the endothelium-independent but cGMP-dependent relaxation elicited by sodium nitroprusside (1 nM - 1 microM) and nitroglycerin (1 nM - 1 microM), thus excluding an effect of thiopental on guanylate cyclase of vascular smooth muscle. Thiopental (100 microg/mL) inhibited both basal (87.8+/-14.3%) and acetylcholine- or A23187-stimulated (78.6+/-3.9 and 39.7+/-5.6%, respectively) production of nitrites in aortic rings. In addition the barbiturate inhibited (100 microg/mL) the NOS (45+/-4 and 42.8+/-9%) in aortic and kidney homogenates, respectively (measured as 14C-labeled citrulline production). In conclusion, thiopental inhibition of endothelium-dependent relaxation and nitrite production in aortic rings strongly suggests an inhibitory effect on NOS. Thiopental inhibition of the NOS provides further support to this contention.

  8. Nitric oxide-sensing actuators for modulating structure in lipid-based liquid crystalline drug delivery systems.

    PubMed

    Liu, Qingtao; Hu, Jinming; Whittaker, Michael R; Davis, Thomas P; Boyd, Ben J

    2017-12-15

    Herein we report on the development of a nitric oxide-sensing lipid-based liquid crystalline (LLC) system specifically designed to release encapsulated drugs on exposure to NO through a stimulated phase change. A series of nitric oxide (NO)-sensing lipids compatible with phytantriol and GMO cubic phases were designed and synthesized, and utilized in enabling nitric oxide-sensing LLC systems. The nitric oxide (NO)-sensing lipids react with nitric oxide, resulting in hydrolysis of these lipids and phase transition of the LLC system. Specifically, the N-3-aminopyridinyl myristylamine (NAPyM)+phytantriol mixture formed a lamellar phase in excess aqueous environment. The NAPyM+phytantriol LLC responded to the nitric oxide gas as a chemical stimulus which triggers a phase transition from lamellar phase to inverse cubic and hexagonal phase. The nitric oxide-triggered phase transition of the LLC accelerated the release of encapsulated model drug from the LLC bulk phase, resulting in a 15-fold increase in the diffusion coefficient compared to the starting lamellar structure. The nitric oxide-sensing LLC system has potential application in the development of smart medicines to treat nitric oxide implicated diseases. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Minocycline attenuates experimental colitis in mice by blocking expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and matrix metalloproteinases

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Huang, T.-Y.; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Chu, H.-C.

    2009-05-15

    In addition to its antimicrobial activity, minocycline exerts anti-inflammatory effects in several disease models. However, whether minocycline affects the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease has not been determined. We investigated the effects of minocycline on experimental colitis and its underlying mechanisms. Acute and chronic colitis were induced in mice by treatment with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) or trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), and the effect of minocycline on colonic injury was assessed clinically and histologically. Prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of mice with minocycline significantly diminished mortality rate and attenuated the severity of DSS-induced acute colitis. Mechanistically, minocycline administration suppressed inducible nitricmore » oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and nitrotyrosine production, inhibited proinflammatory cytokine expression, repressed the elevated mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2, 3, 9, and 13, diminished the apoptotic index in colonic tissues, and inhibited nitric oxide production in the serum of mice with DSS-induced acute colitis. In DSS-induced chronic colitis, minocycline treatment also reduced body weight loss, improved colonic histology, and blocked expression of iNOS, proinflammatory cytokines, and MMPs from colonic tissues. Similarly, minocycline could ameliorate the severity of TNBS-induced acute colitis in mice by decreasing mortality rate and inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine expression in colonic tissues. These results demonstrate that minocycline protects mice against DSS- and TNBS-induced colitis, probably via inhibition of iNOS and MMP expression in intestinal tissues. Therefore, minocycline is a potential remedy for human inflammatory bowel diseases.« less

  10. Calcium-mediated signaling and calmodulin-dependent kinase regulate hepatocyte-inducible nitric oxide synthase expression.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Baochun; Crankshaw, Will; Nesemeier, Ryan; Patel, Jay; Nweze, Ikenna; Lakshmanan, Jaganathan; Harbrecht, Brian G

    2015-02-01

    Induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is induced in hepatocytes by shock and inflammatory stimuli. Excessive NO from iNOS mediates shock-induced hepatic injury and death, so understanding the regulation of iNOS will help elucidate the pathophysiology of septic shock. In vitro, cytokines induce iNOS expression through activation of signaling pathways including mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor κB. Cytokines also induce calcium (Ca(2+)) mobilization and activate calcium-mediated intracellular signaling pathways, typically through activation of calmodulin-dependent kinases (CaMK). Calcium regulates NO production in macrophages but the role of calcium and calcium-mediated signaling in hepatocyte iNOS expression has not been defined. Primary rat hepatocytes were isolated, cultured, and induced to produce NO with proinflammatory cytokines. Calcium mobilization and Ca(2+)-mediated signaling were altered with ionophore, Ca(2+) channel blockers, and inhibitors of CaMK. The Ca(2+) ionophore A23187 suppressed cytokine-stimulated NO production, whereas Ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid and nifedipine increased NO production, iNOS messenger RNA, and iNOS protein expression. Inhibition of CaMK with KN93 and CBD increased NO production but the calcineurin inhibitor FK 506 decreased iNOS expression. These data demonstrate that calcium-mediated signaling regulates hepatocyte iNOS expression and does so through a mechanism independent of calcineurin. Changes in intracellular calcium levels may regulate iNOS expression during hepatic inflammation induced by proinflammatory cytokines. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Effects of l-arginine pretreatment on nitric oxide metabolism and hepatosplanchnic perfusion during porcine endotoxemia1234

    PubMed Central

    Bruins, Maaike J; Kessels, Fons; Luiking, Yvette C; Lamers, Wouter H; Deutz, Nicolaas EP

    2011-01-01

    Background: Sepsis is accompanied by an increased need for and a decreased supply of arginine, reflecting a condition of arginine deficiency. Objective: The objective was to evaluate the effects of l-arginine pretreatment on arginine–nitric oxide (NO) production and hepatosplanchnic perfusion during subsequent endotoxemia. Design: In a randomized controlled trial, pigs (20–25 kg) received 3 μg ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 5 endotoxin units/ng) intravenously and saline resuscitation. l-Arginine (n = 8; 5.3 μmol ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1) or saline (n = 8) was infused starting 12 h before LPS infusion and continued for 24 h after the endotoxin infusion ended. Whole-body appearance rates, portal-drained viscera (PDV), and liver fluxes of arginine, citrulline, NO, and arginine de novo synthesis were measured by using stable-isotope infusion of [15N2]arginine and [13C-2H2]citrulline. Hepatosplanchnic perfusion was assessed by using a primed continuous infusion of para-aminohippuric acid and jejunal intramucosal partial pressure of carbon dioxide and was related to systemic hemodynamics. Results: Arginine supplementation before LPS increased whole-body NO production in the PDV but not in the liver. Furthermore, it increased blood flow in the portal vein but not in the aorta and hepatic artery. During endotoxin infusion, arginine pretreatment was associated with an increased whole-body arginine appearance and NO production in the gut. Additional effects included a preserved mean arterial pressure, the prevention of an increase in pulmonary arterial pressure, an attenuated metabolic acidosis, and an attenuated increase in the intramucosal partial pressure of carbon dioxide. Conclusion: Arginine treatment starting before endotoxemia appears to be beneficial because it improves hepatosplanchnic perfusion and oxygenation during prolonged endotoxemia, probably through an enhancement in NO synthesis, without causing deleterious systemic side effects. PMID

  12. Chronic uremia induces permeability changes, increased nitric oxide synthase expression, and structural modifications in the peritoneum.

    PubMed

    Combet, S; Ferrier, M L; Van Landschoot, M; Stoenoiu, M; Moulin, P; Miyata, T; Lameire, N; Devuyst, O

    2001-10-01

    Advanced glycation end products (AGE), growth factors, and nitric oxide contribute to alterations of the peritoneum during peritoneal dialysis (PD). These mediators are also involved in chronic uremia, a condition associated with increased permeability of serosal membranes. It is unknown whether chronic uremia per se modifies the peritoneum before PD initiation. A rat model of subtotal nephrectomy was used to measure peritoneal permeability after 3, 6, and 9 wk, in parallel with peritoneal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoform expression and activity and structural changes. Uremic rats were characterized by a higher peritoneal permeability for small solutes and an increased NOS activity due to the up-regulation of endothelial and neuronal NOS. The permeability changes and increased NOS activities correlated with the degree of renal failure. Focal areas of vascular proliferation and fibrosis were detected in uremic rats, in relation with a transient up-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor, as well as vascular deposits of the AGE carboxymethyllysine and pentosidine. Correction of anemia with erythropoietin did not prevent the permeability or structural changes in uremic rats. Thus, in this rat model, uremia induces permeability and structural changes in the peritoneum, in parallel with AGE deposits and up-regulation of specific NOS isoforms and growth factors. These data suggest an independent contribution of uremia in the peritoneal changes during PD and offer a paradigm to better understand the modifications of serosal membranes in uremia.

  13. Piper sarmentosum increases nitric oxide production in oxidative stress: a study on human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

    PubMed

    Ugusman, Azizah; Zakaria, Zaiton; Hui, Chua Kien; Nordin, Nor Anita Megat Mohd

    2010-07-01

    Nitric oxide produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) possesses multiple anti-atherosclerotic properties. Hence, enhanced expression of eNOS and increased Nitric oxide levels may protect against the development of atherosclerosis. Piper sarmentosum is a tropical plant with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Piper sarmentosum on the eNOS and Nitric oxide pathway in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECS WERE DIVIDED INTO FOUR GROUPS: control, treatment with 180 microM hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), treatment with 150 microg/mL aqueous extract of Piper sarmentosum, and concomitant treatment with aqueous extract of PS and H(2)O(2) for 24 hours. Subsequently, HUVECs were harvested and eNOS mRNA expression was determined using qPCR. The eNOS protein level was measured using ELISA, and the eNOS activity and Nitric oxide level were determined by the Griess reaction. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with aqueous extract of Piper sarmentosum showed a marked induction of Nitric oxide. Treatment with PS also resulted in increased eNOS mRNA expression, eNOS protein level and eNOS activity in HUVECs. Aqueous extract of Piper sarmentosum may improve endothelial function by promoting NO production in HUVECs.

  14. Inducible nitric oxide expression correlates with the level of inflammation in periapical cysts.

    PubMed

    Matsumoto, Mariza Akemi; Ribeiro, Daniel Araki

    2007-10-01

    In an attempt to elucidate if inducible nitric oxide expression (iNOS) is correlated with the level of inflammation in periapical cysts with accuracy, the goal of this study was to evaluate the expression of iNOS in these ones. 30 cases were included in this study being iNOS evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was performed by Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test followed by the post-hoc Dunn's test. iNOS stain was detected throughout the epithelium, subepithelial fibroblasts and macrophages in all cases, indistinctly. Nevertheless, iNOS immunostaining in periapical cysts was different according to the levels of inflammation, being the strongest effect associated with intense inflammatory infiltrate. Taken together, our results indicate that immunoreactivity of iNOS was expressed in several cellular types present in periapical cyst, being positively correlated with the level of inflammation. Therefore, iNOS expression plays an important role in the pathogenesis of periapical cysts.

  15. Monoclonal L-citrulline immunostaining reveals nitric oxide-producing vestibular neurons

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Holstein, G. R.; Friedrich, V. L. Jr; Martinelli, G. P.

    2001-01-01

    Nitric oxide is an unstable free radical that serves as a novel messenger molecule in the central nervous system (CNS). In order to understand the interplay between classic and novel chemical communication systems in vestibular pathways, the staining obtained using a monoclonal antibody directed against L-citrulline was compared with the labeling observed using more traditional markers for the presence of nitric oxide. Brainstem tissue from adult rats was processed for immunocytochemistry employing a monoclonal antibody directed against L-citrulline, a polyclonal antiserum against neuronal nitric oxide synthase, and/or NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry. Our findings demonstrate that L-citrulline can be fixed in situ by vascular perfusion, and can be visualized in fixed CNS tissue sections by immunocytochemistry. Further, the same vestibular regions and cell types are labeled by NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry, by the neuronal nitric oxide synthase antiserum, and by our anti-L-citrulline antibody. Clusters of L-citrulline-immunoreactive neurons are present in subregions of the vestibular nuclei, including the caudal portion of the inferior vestibular nucleus, the magnocellular portion of the medial vestibular nucleus, and the large cells in the ventral tier of the lateral vestibular nucleus. NADPH-diaphorase histochemical staining of these neurons clearly demonstrated their multipolar, fusiform and globular somata and long varicose dendritic processes. These results provide support for the suggestion that nitric oxide serves key roles in both vestibulo-autonomic and vestibulo-spinal pathways.

  16. [Fractional exhaled nitric oxide in monitoring and therapeutic management of asthma].

    PubMed

    Melo, Bruno; Costa, Patrício; Afonso, Ariana; Machado, Vânia; Moreira, Carla; Gonçalves, Augusta; Gonçalves, Jean-Pierre

    2014-01-01

    Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by hyper-responsiveness and bronchial inflammation. The bronchial inflammation in these patients can be monitored by measuring the fractional exhaled nitric oxide. This study aims to determine fractional exhaled nitric oxide association with peak expiratory flow and with asthma control inferred by the Global Initiative for Asthma. Observational, analytical and cross-sectional study of children with asthma, 6-12 years-old, followed in the Outpatient Respiratory Pathology of Braga Hospital. Sociodemographic and clinical information were collected through a questionnaire. fractional exhaled nitric oxide and peak expiratory flow were determined by portable analyzer Niox Mino® and flow meter, respectively. The sample is constituted by 101 asthmatic children, 63 (62.4%) of males and 38 (37.6%) females. The mean age of participants in the sample is 9.18 (1.99) years. The logistic regression performed with the cutoff value obtained by ROC curve, revealed that fractional exhaled nitric oxide (b(FENO classes) = 0.85; χ(2)Wald (1) = 8.71; OR = 2.33; p = 0.003) has a statistical significant effect on the probability of changing level of asthma control. The odds ratio of going from "controlled" to "partly controlled/uncontrolled" is 2.33 per each level of fractional exhaled nitric oxide. The probability of an asthmatic children change their level of asthma control, from 'controlled' to 'partly controlled/uncontrolled', taking into account a change in their fractional exhaled nitric oxide level, increases 133%.

  17. Peritoneal dialysis solution attenuates microvascular leukocyte adhesion induced by nitric oxide synthesis inhibition.

    PubMed

    White, R; Ram, S

    1996-01-01

    In the mesenteric microcirculation, inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis results in an inflammatory response through increased leukocyte adherence to the microvascular postcapillary venular endothelium. Recent studies have demonstrated that elevated concentrations of endogenous NO synthesis inhibitors are present in renal failure. How peritoneal dialysis solutions may affect leukocyte-endothelial interactions during inflammation induced by NO synthesis inhibition has been previously unknown. Using in vivo intravital microscopy of the rat mesenteric postcapillary venules, microvascular leukocyte adherence was quantitated during baseline conditions in which the mesentery was superfused with a buffer solution, followed by the superfusion of a NO synthesis inhibitor NG-nitro-L-ARGININE methyl ester (L-NAME) added to the buffer, followed by 4.25% Dianeal (4.25% D). When compared to baseline, L-NAME increased the mean number of adherent leukocytes by fivefold (2.2 +/- 0.9 vs 11.6 +/- 3.6 leukocytes/100 microns venule/10 min, p < 0.05), while 4.25% D quickly reversed the L-NAME-induced inflammatory response, returning the number of adherent leukocytes back to baseline values (11.6 +/- 3.6 vs 2.4 +/- 1.3 leukocytes/100 microns venule/ 10 min, p < 0.05). These results confirm that NO synthesis inhibition induces inflammation in mesenteric postcapillary venules. Superfusion of 4.25% D reverses leukocyte adhesion induced by NO synthesis inhibition. Thus, a standard peritoneal dialysis solution (4.25% D) reverses the leukocyte-adhesive effects of NO synthesis inhibition in the mesenteric microcirculation.

  18. Nitric oxide, PKC-ε, and connexin43 are crucial for ischemic preconditioning-induced chemical gap junction uncoupling.

    PubMed

    Rong, Bing; Xie, Fei; Sun, Tao; Hao, Li; Lin, Ming-Jie; Zhong, Jing-Quan

    2016-10-25

    Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) maintains connexin43 (Cx43) phosphorylation and reduces chemical gap junction (GJ) coupling in cardiomyocytes to protect against ischemic damage. However, the signal transduction pathways underlying these effects are not fully understood. Here, we investigated whether nitric oxide (NO) and protein kinase C-ε (PKC-ε) contribute to IPC-induced cardioprotection by maintaining Cx43 phosphorylation and inhibiting chemical GJ coupling. IPC reduced ischemia-induced myocardial infarction and increased cardiomyocyte survival; phosphorylated Cx43, eNOS, and PKC-ε levels; and chemical GJ uncoupling. Administration of the NO donor SNAP mimicked the effects of IPC both in vivo and in vitro, maintaining Cx43 phosphorylation, promoting chemical GJ uncoupling, and reducing myocardial infarction. Preincubation with the NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME or PKC-ε translocation inhibitory peptide (PKC-ε-TIP) abolished these effects of IPC. Additionally, by inducing NO production, IPC induced translocation of PKC-ε, but not PKC-δ, from the cytosolic to the membrane fraction in primary cardiac myocytes. IPC-induced cardioprotection thus involves increased NO production, PKC-ε translocation, Cx43 phosphorylation, and chemical GJ uncoupling.

  19. Calcium and Superoxide-Mediated Pathways Converge to Induce Nitric Oxide-Dependent Apoptosis in Mycobacterium fortuitum-Infected Fish Macrophages.

    PubMed

    Datta, Debika; Khatri, Preeti; Banerjee, Chaitali; Singh, Ambika; Meena, Ramavatar; Saha, Dhira Rani; Raman, Rajagopal; Rajamani, Paulraj; Mitra, Abhijit; Mazumder, Shibnath

    2016-01-01

    Mycobacterium fortuitum causes 'mycobacteriosis' in wide range of hosts although the mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here we demonstrate the role of calcium (Ca+2)-signalling cascade on M. fortuitum-induced apoptosis in headkidney macrophages (HKM) of Clarias sp. M. fortuitum could trigger intracellular-Ca+2 influx leading to the activation of calmodulin (CaM), protein kinase C alpha (PKCα) and Calmodulin kinase II gamma (CaMKIIg). Gene silencing and inhibitor studies established the role of CaM in M. fortuitum pathogenesis. We noted that CaMKIIg activation is regulated by CaM as well as PKCα-dependent superoxide anions. This is altogether first report of oxidised CaMKIIg in mycobacterial infections. Our studies with targeted-siRNA and pharmacological inhibitors implicate CaMKIIg to be pro-apoptotic and critical for the activation of extra-cellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Inhibiting the ERK1/2 pathway attenuated nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production. Conversely, inhibiting the NOS2-NO axis by specific-siRNA and inhibitors down-regulated ERK1/2 activation suggesting the crosstalk between ERK1/2 and NO is essential for pathogenesis induced by the bacterium. Silencing the NOS2-NO axis enhanced intracellular bacterial survival and attenuated caspase-8 mediated activation of caspase-3 in the infected HKM. Our findings unveil hitherto unknown mechanism of M. fortuitum pathogenesis. We propose that M. fortuitum triggers intracellular Ca+2 elevations resulting in CaM activation and PKCα-mediated superoxide generation. The cascade converges in common pathway mediated by CaMKIIg resulting in the activation of ERK1/2-NOS2 axis. The crosstalk between ERK1/2 and NO shifts the balance in favour of caspase dependent apoptosis of M. fortuitum-infected HKM.

  20. [Disseminated intravascular coagulation induced by endotoxin in rabbits: effect of treatment with t-PA and urokinase].

    PubMed

    Paloma, M J; Páramo, J A; Rifón, J; Rocha, E

    1992-12-01

    To assess the therapeutic efficacy of agents capable of stimulating the fibrinolytic system, such as tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and urokinase (UK) on endotoxin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in the rabbit. DIC was induced by intravenous administration of endotoxin, 20 micrograms/kg/hr during 6 hr. Four different groups were established: a) control group, receiving only saline solution; b) t-PA group receiving 0.2 mg/kg; c) t-PA group receiving 0.7 mg/kg, and d) UK group, which was given 3,000 IU/kg/hr for 6 hr. Blood samples were drawn before and after 2 hr and 6 hr of endotoxin administration. Platelet count, and fibrinogen, factor XII and antithrombin III concentrations, were assessed in each sample. Mean, standard deviation and percentage of increase or decrease with respect to the basal value, this considered 100%, were used to evaluate the findings. For comparison of values, Student's t and Mann Whitney's U were used; the Fisher test was used for mortality studies. No statistical differences appeared for any of the values in the rabbits under basal conditions. The rabbits in the control group developed DIC. No doses of t-PA modified the changes appearing in blood coagulation. UK reduced the fibrinogen and factor XII consumption induced by endotoxin. The mortality rate in the control group reached 70%. High-dose t-PA decreased such figure to 50%, while low-dose t-PA or UK failed to reduce mortality. High-dose t-PA has beneficial effects on endotoxin-induced DIC in rabbits. UK failed to achieve such effect at the doses given in this experimental DIC model.

  1. Toll-like Receptor 4 Signaling Confers Cardiac Protection Against Ischemic Injury via Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase- and Soluble Guanylate Cyclase-dependent Mechanisms

    PubMed Central

    Wang, E; Feng, Yan; Zhang, Ming; Zou, Lin; Li, Yan; Buys, Emmanuel S.; Huang, Peigen; Brouckaert, Peter; Chao, Wei

    2011-01-01

    Background Prior administration of a small dose of lipopolysaccharide confers a cardiac protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, the signaling mechanisms that control the protection are incompletely understood. We tested the hypothesis that TLR4 mediates the ability of lipopolysaccharide to protect against cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury through distinct intracellular pathways involving myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), TIR-domain-containing adaptor protein inducing interferon-β–mediated transcription-factor (Trif), inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS), and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC). Methods Wild-type mice and the genetically modified mice, i.e., TLR4-deficient (TLR4-def), TLR2 knockout (TLR2−/−), MyD88−/−, Trif−/−, iNOS−/−, and sGCα1−/−, were treated with normal saline or 0.1 mg/kg of lipopolysaccharide, intraperitoneally. Twenty-four hours later, isolated hearts were perfused in a Langendorff apparatus and subsequently subjected to 30 min of global ischemia and reperfusion for up to 60 min. Left ventricular function and myocardial infarction sizes were examined. Results Compared to saline-treated mice, lipopolysaccharide-treated mice had markedly improved left ventricular developed pressure and dP/dtmax (P < 0.01) and reduced MI sizes (37.2 ± 3.4% vs. 19.8 ± 4.9%, P < 0.01) after ischemia-reperfusion. The cardiac protective effect of lipopolysaccharide was abolished in the TLR4-def and MyD88−/− mice, but remained intact in TLR2−/− or Trif−/− mice. iNOS−/− mice or wild-type mice treated with the iNOS inhibitor 1400W failed to respond to the TLR4-induced nitric oxide production and were not protected by the lipopolysaccharide preconditioning. While sGC 1−/− mice had robust nitric oxide production in response to lipopolysaccharide, they were not protected by the TLR4-elicited cardiac protection. Conclusions TLR4 activation confers a potent cardiac protection against ischemia

  2. Zinc protoporphyrin inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-, lipoteichoic acid-, and peptidoglycan-induced nitric oxide production through stimulating iNOS protein ubiquitination.

    PubMed

    Chow, Jyh-Ming; Lin, Hui-Yi; Shen, Shing-Chuan; Wu, Ming-Shun; Lin, Cheng-Wei; Chiu, Wen-Ta; Lin, Chien-Huang; Chen, Yen-Chou

    2009-06-15

    In the present study, zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), but not ferric protoporphyrin (FePP), tin protoporphyrin (SnPP), or zinc chloride (ZnCl(2)), at the doses of 0.5, 1, and 2 microM, dose-dependently inhibited lipopolysaccharide- (LPS), lipoteichoic acid (LTA), and peptidoglycan (PGN)-induced inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) production with an increase in heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) protein in RAW264.7 macrophages in a serum-free condition. NO inhibition and HO-1 induction by ZnPP were blocked by the separate addition of fetal bovine serum (FBS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). A decrease in the iNOS/NO ratio and an increase in HO-1 protein by ZnPP were identified in three different conditions including ZnPP pretreatment, ZnPP co-treatment, and ZnPP post-treatment with LPS and LTA. Activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and extracellular regulated kinases (ERKs) were detected in LPS-, LTA-, and PGN-treated RAW264.7 cells, and iNOS/NO production was blocked by adding the JNK inhibitor, SP600125, but not the ERK inhibitor, PD98059. However, ZnPP addition potentiated ERK and JNK protein phosphorylation stimulated by LPS, LTA, and PGN. Increases in total protein ubiquitination and ubiquitinated iNOS proteins were detected in ZnPP-treated macrophages elicited by LPS according to Western and immunoprecipitation/Western blotting assays, respectively. The decrease in LPS-induced iNOS protein by ZnPP was reversed by adding the proteasome inhibitors MG132 and lactacystin. The reduction in HO-1 protein induced by ZnPP via transfection of HO-1 small interfering RNA did not affect the inhibitory effect of ZnPP against LPS-induced iNOS/NO production and protein ubiquitination induced by ZnPP in macrophages. Data of the present study provide the first evidence to support ZnPP effectively inhibiting inflammatory iNOS/NO production through activation of protein ubiquitination in a HO-1-independent manner in macrophages.

  3. Zinc protoporphyrin inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-, lipoteichoic acid-, and peptidoglycan-induced nitric oxide production through stimulating iNOS protein ubiquitination

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chow, J.-M.; Lin, H.-Y.; Shen, S.-C.

    2009-06-15

    In the present study, zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), but not ferric protoporphyrin (FePP), tin protoporphyrin (SnPP), or zinc chloride (ZnCl{sub 2}), at the doses of 0.5, 1, and 2 {mu}M, dose-dependently inhibited lipopolysaccharide- (LPS), lipoteichoic acid (LTA), and peptidoglycan (PGN)-induced inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) production with an increase in heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) protein in RAW264.7 macrophages in a serum-free condition. NO inhibition and HO-1 induction by ZnPP were blocked by the separate addition of fetal bovine serum (FBS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). A decrease in the iNOS/NO ratio and an increase in HO-1 protein bymore » ZnPP were identified in three different conditions including ZnPP pretreatment, ZnPP co-treatment, and ZnPP post-treatment with LPS and LTA. Activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and extracellular regulated kinases (ERKs) were detected in LPS-, LTA-, and PGN-treated RAW264.7 cells, and iNOS/NO production was blocked by adding the JNK inhibitor, SP600125, but not the ERK inhibitor, PD98059. However, ZnPP addition potentiated ERK and JNK protein phosphorylation stimulated by LPS, LTA, and PGN. Increases in total protein ubiquitination and ubiquitinated iNOS proteins were detected in ZnPP-treated macrophages elicited by LPS according to Western and immunoprecipitation/Western blotting assays, respectively. The decrease in LPS-induced iNOS protein by ZnPP was reversed by adding the proteasome inhibitors MG132 and lactacystin. The reduction in HO-1 protein induced by ZnPP via transfection of HO-1 small interfering RNA did not affect the inhibitory effect of ZnPP against LPS-induced iNOS/NO production and protein ubiquitination induced by ZnPP in macrophages. Data of the present study provide the first evidence to support ZnPP effectively inhibiting inflammatory iNOS/NO production through activation of protein ubiquitination in a HO-1-independent manner in macrophages.« less

  4. Circadian variation in the effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on body temperature, feeding and activity in rats.

    PubMed

    Kamerman, Peter; Mitchell, Duncan; Laburn, Helen

    2002-02-01

    We have investigated whether there is circadian variation in the effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on body temperature, physical activity and feeding. We used nocturnally active Sprague-Dawley rats, housed at approximately 24 degrees C with a 12:12 h light:dark cycle (lights on 07:00 hours) and provided with food and water ad libitum. Nitric oxide synthesis was inhibited by intraperitoneal injection of the unspecific nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-nitro- L-arginine methyl ester ( L-NAME, 100, 50, 25, 10 mg/kg), or the relatively selective inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor aminoguanidine (100, 50 mg/kg), during the day ( approximately 09:00 hours) or night ( approximately 21:00 hours). Body temperature and physical activity were measured using radiotelemetry, while food intake was calculated by weighing each animal's food before as well as 12 and 24 h after each injection. We found that daytime injection of L-NAME and aminoguanidine had no effect on daytime body temperature. However, daytime injection of both drugs did decrease nocturnal food intake ( P<0.05) and activity ( P<0.05). When injected at night, L-NAME reduced night-time body temperature ( P<0.01), activity ( P<0.05) and food intake ( P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner, but night-time injection of aminoguanidine inhibited only night-time activity ( P<0.05). The effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibition on body temperature, feeding and activity therefore are primarily a consequence of inhibiting constitutively expressed nitric oxide synthase, and are subject to circadian variation.

  5. Nitric oxide-mediated bystander signal transduction induced by heavy-ion microbeam irradiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tomita, Masanori; Matsumoto, Hideki; Funayama, Tomoo; Yokota, Yuichiro; Otsuka, Kensuke; Maeda, Munetoshi; Kobayashi, Yasuhiko

    2015-07-01

    In general, a radiation-induced bystander response is known to be a cellular response induced in non-irradiated cells after receiving bystander signaling factors released from directly irradiated cells within a cell population. Bystander responses induced by high-linear energy transfer (LET) heavy ions at low fluence are an important health problem for astronauts in space. Bystander responses are mediated via physical cell-cell contact, such as gap-junction intercellular communication (GJIC) and/or diffusive factors released into the medium in cell culture conditions. Nitric oxide (NO) is a well-known major initiator/mediator of intercellular signaling within culture medium during bystander responses. In this study, we investigated the NO-mediated bystander signal transduction induced by high-LET argon (Ar)-ion microbeam irradiation of normal human fibroblasts. Foci formation by DNA double-strand break repair proteins was induced in non-irradiated cells, which were co-cultured with those irradiated by high-LET Ar-ion microbeams in the same culture plate. Foci formation was suppressed significantly by pretreatment with an NO scavenger. Furthermore, NO-mediated reproductive cell death was also induced in bystander cells. Phosphorylation of NF-κB and Akt were induced during NO-mediated bystander signaling in the irradiated and bystander cells. However, the activation of these proteins depended on the incubation time after irradiation. The accumulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a downstream target of NO and NF-κB, was observed in the bystander cells 6 h after irradiation but not in the directly irradiated cells. Our findings suggest that Akt- and NF-κB-dependent signaling pathways involving COX-2 play important roles in NO-mediated high-LET heavy-ion-induced bystander responses. In addition, COX-2 may be used as a molecular marker of high-LET heavy-ion-induced bystander cells to distinguish them from directly irradiated cells, although this may depend on the time

  6. Production of nitric oxide using a microwave plasma torch and its application to fungal cell differentiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Na, Young Ho; Kumar, Naresh; Kang, Min-Ho; Cho, Guang Sup; Choi, Eun Ha; Park, Gyungsoon; Uhm, Han Sup

    2015-03-01

    The generation of nitric oxide by a microwave plasma torch is proposed for its application to cell differentiation. A microwave plasma torch was developed based on basic kinetic theory. The analytical theory indicates that nitric oxide density is nearly proportional to oxygen molecular density and that the high-temperature flame is an effective means of generating nitric oxide. Experimental data pertaining to nitric oxide production are presented in terms of the oxygen input in units of cubic centimeters per minute. The apparent length of the torch flame increases as the oxygen input increases. The various levels of nitric oxide are observed depending on the flow rate of nitrogen gas, the mole fraction of oxygen gas, and the microwave power. In order to evaluate the potential of nitric oxide as an activator of cell differentiation, we applied nitric oxide generated from the microwave plasma torch to a model microbial cell (Neurospora crassa: non-pathogenic fungus). Germination and hyphal differentiation of fungal cells were not dramatically changed but there was a significant increase in spore formation after treatment with nitric oxide. In addition, the expression level of a sporulation related gene acon-3 was significantly elevated after 24 h upon nitric oxide treatment. Increase in the level of nitric oxide, nitrite and nitrate in water after nitric oxide treatment seems to be responsible for activation of fungal sporulation. Our results suggest that nitric oxide generated by plasma can be used as a possible activator of cell differentiation and development.

  7. Mangiferin Prevents Guinea Pig Tracheal Contraction via Activation of the Nitric Oxide-Cyclic GMP Pathway

    PubMed Central

    Vieira, Aline B.; Coelho, Luciana P.; Insuela, Daniella B. R.; Carvalho, Vinicius F.; dos Santos, Marcelo H.; Silva, Patricia MR.; Martins, Marco A.

    2013-01-01

    Previous studies have described the antispasmodic effect of mangiferin, a natural glucoside xanthone (2-C-β-Dgluco-pyranosyl-1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone) that is present in mango trees and other plants, but its mechanism of action remains unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the potential contribution of the nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway to the antispasmodic effect of mangiferin on isolated tracheal rings preparations. The functional effect of mangiferin on allergic and non-allergic contraction of guinea pig tracheal rings was assessed in conventional organ baths. Cultured tracheal rings were exposed to mangiferin or vehicle, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) 3 and cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels were quantified using western blotting and enzyme immunoassays, respectively. Mangiferin (0.1–10 µM) inhibited tracheal contractions induced by distinct stimuli, such as allergen, histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine or carbachol, in a concentration-dependent manner. Mangiferin also caused marked relaxation of tracheal rings that were precontracted by carbachol, suggesting that it has both anti-contraction and relaxant properties that are prevented by removing the epithelium. The effect of mangiferin was inhibited by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (100 µM), and the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, 1H-[1], [2], [4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) (10 µM), but not the adenylate cyclase inhibitor, 9-(tetrahydro-2-furyl)adenine (SQ22536) (100 µM). The antispasmodic effect of mangiferin was also sensitive to K+ channel blockers, such as tetraethylammonium (TEA), glibenclamide and apamin. Furthermore, mangiferin inhibited Ca2+-induced contractions in K+ (60 mM)-depolarised tracheal rings preparations. In addition, mangiferin increased NOS3 protein levels and cGMP intracellular levels in cultured tracheal rings. Finally, mangiferin-induced increase in cGMP levels was abrogated by co-incubation with either ODQ or L

  8. Nitric oxide leads to cytoskeletal reorganization in the retinal pigment epithelium under oxidative stress.

    PubMed

    Sripathi, Srinivas R; He, Weilue; Um, Ji-Yeon; Moser, Trevor; Dehnbostel, Stevie; Kindt, Kimberly; Goldman, Jeremy; Frost, Megan C; Jahng, Wan Jin

    2012-01-01

    Light is a risk factor for various eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). We aim to understand how cytoskeletal proteins in the retinal pigment epithetlium (RPE) respond to oxidative stress, including light and how these responses affect apoptotic signaling. Previously, proteomic analysis revealed that the expression levels of vimentin and serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) are significantly increased when mice are exposed under continuous light for 7 days compared to a condition of 12 hrs light/dark cycling exposure using retina degeneration 1 (rd1) model. When melatonin is administered to animals while they are exposed to continuous light, the levels of vimentin and PP2A return to a normal level. Vimentin is a substrate of PP2A that directly binds to vimentin and dephosphorylates it. The current study shows that upregulation of PP2Ac (catalytic subunit) phosphorylation negatively correlates with vimentin phosphorylation under stress condition. Stabilization of vimentin appears to be achieved by decreased PP2Ac phosphorylation by nitric oxide induction. We tested our hypothesis that site-specific modifications of PP2Ac may drive cytoskeletal reorganization by vimentin dephosphorylation through nitric oxide signaling. We speculate that nitric oxide determines protein nitration under stress conditions. Our results demonstrate that PP2A and vimentin are modulated by nitric oxide as a key element involved in cytoskeletal signaling. The current study suggests that external stress enhances nitric oxide to regulate PP2Ac and vimentin phosphorylation, thereby stabilizing or destabilizing vimentin. Phosphorylation may result in depolymerization of vimentin, leading to nonfilamentous particle formation. We propose that a stabilized vimentin might act as an anti-apoptotic molecule when cells are under oxidative stress.

  9. Nitric oxide leads to cytoskeletal reorganization in the retinal pigment epithelium under oxidative stress

    PubMed Central

    Um, Ji-Yeon; Moser, Trevor; Dehnbostel, Stevie; Kindt, Kimberly; Goldman, Jeremy; Frost, Megan C.; Jahng, Wan Jin

    2016-01-01

    Light is a risk factor for various eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). We aim to understand how cytoskeletal proteins in the retinal pigment epithetlium (RPE) respond to oxidative stress, including light and how these responses affect apoptotic signaling. Previously, proteomic analysis revealed that the expression levels of vimentin and serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) are significantly increased when mice are exposed under continuous light for 7 days compared to a condition of 12 hrs light/dark cycling exposure using retina degeneration 1 (rd1) model. When melatonin is administered to animals while they are exposed to continuous light, the levels of vimentin and PP2A return to a normal level. Vimentin is a substrate of PP2A that directly binds to vimentin and dephosphorylates it. The current study shows that upregulation of PP2Ac (catalytic subunit) phosphorylation negatively correlates with vimentin phosphorylation under stress condition. Stabilization of vimentin appears to be achieved by decreased PP2Ac phosphorylation by nitric oxide induction. We tested our hypothesis that site-specific modifications of PP2Ac may drive cytoskeletal reorganization by vimentin dephosphorylation through nitric oxide signaling. We speculate that nitric oxide determines protein nitration under stress conditions. Our results demonstrate that PP2A and vimentin are modulated by nitric oxide as a key element involved in cytoskeletal signaling. The current study suggests that external stress enhances nitric oxide to regulate PP2Ac and vimentin phosphorylation, thereby stabilizing or destabilizing vimentin. Phosphorylation may result in depolymerization of vimentin, leading to nonfilamentous particle formation. We propose that a stabilized vimentin might act as an anti-apoptotic molecule when cells are under oxidative stress. PMID:27974994

  10. The peripheral administration of a nitric oxide donor potentiates the local antinociceptive effects of a DOR agonist during chronic inflammatory pain in mice.

    PubMed

    Hervera, Arnau; Leánez, Sergi; Negrete, Roger; Pol, Olga

    2009-10-01

    Several works reveal that nitric oxide could enhance the peripheral antinociception induced by opioids during acute inflammation. Nonetheless, the role of nitric oxide in the local antinociceptive effects of delta-opioid receptor (DOR) agonists during chronic peripheral inflammation is not known. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether nitric oxide would enhance the local antinociceptive effects of a DOR agonist during chronic inflammatory pain in mice. Chronic inflammatory pain was induced by the subplantar administration of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA; 30 microl) and thermal hyperalgesia assessed by plantar test. In C57BL/6J mice, we evaluated the local antinociceptive effects of a DOR agonist, [D-Pen2,5]-enkephalin (DPDPE) and a nitric oxide donor, DETA NONOate DETA/NO 2,2'-(hydroxynitrosohydrazino) Bis-Ethanamine (NOC-18) alone or combined (DPDPE plus NOC-18) at 1, 4, 7, and 10 days after CFA injection. The reversibility of the peripheral antinociceptive effects of DPDPE, alone or combined with NOC-18, was assessed with the local administration of selective (naltrindole) and non-selective (naloxone methiodide) DOR antagonists. The local administration of DPDPE or NOC-18 alone dose-dependently inhibited the thermal hyperalgesia induced by peripheral inflammation. Moreover, the co-administration of NOC-18 with DPDPE significantly increased the antinociceptive effects produced by DPDPE from 1 to 10 days of CFA-induced inflammatory pain (P < 0.05). These effects were completely blocked by naltrindole and naloxone methiodide. Our results demonstrate that nitric oxide might enhance the local antinociceptive effects of a DOR agonist during chronic inflammatory pain by interaction with peripheral DOR, representing a useful strategy for an efficient antinociceptive treatment of peripheral inflammatory pain.

  11. Feedback inhibition of nitric oxide synthase activity by nitric oxide.

    PubMed Central

    Assreuy, J.; Cunha, F. Q.; Liew, F. Y.; Moncada, S.

    1993-01-01

    1. A murine macrophage cell line, J774, expressed nitric oxide (NO) synthase activity in response to interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma, 10 u ml-1) plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 ng ml-1). The enzyme activity was first detectable 6 h after incubation, peaked at 12 h and became undetectable after 48 h. 2. The decline in the NO synthase activity was not due to inhibition by stable substances secreted by the cells into the culture supernatant. 3. The decline in the NO synthase activity was significantly slowed down in cells cultured in a low L-arginine medium or with added haemoglobin, suggesting that NO may be involved in a feedback inhibitory mechanism. 4. The addition of NO generators, S-nitroso-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP) or S-nitroso-glutathione (GSNO) markedly inhibited the NO synthase activity in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of NO on the enzyme was not due to the inhibition of de novo protein synthesis. 5. SNAP directly inhibited the inducible NO synthase extracted from activated J774 cells, as well as the constitutive NO synthase extracted from the rat brain. 6. The enzyme activity of J774 cells was not restored after the removal of SNAP by gel filtration, suggesting that NO inhibits NO synthase irreversibly. PMID:7682140

  12. Myocardial and vascular adrenergic alterations in a rat model of endotoxin shock: reversal by an anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha monoclonal antibody.

    PubMed

    Boillot, A; Massol, J; Maupoil, V; Grelier, R; Bernard, B; Capellier, G; Berthelot, A; Barale, F

    1997-03-01

    . Anti-TNF-alpha antibody increased cardiac response by partially preventing the decrease by endotoxin in differential left intraventricular pressure. Maximal specific binding of 125iodocyanopindolol and myocardial cAMP accumulation were significantly (p < .01) reduced in the endotoxin group in comparison with the control group. Anti-TNF-alpha antibody prevented the endotoxin-induced decrease in cAMP synthesis (p < .05) but did not modify the density of receptors. Affinity of receptors was similar in the three groups. In aortic rings, endotoxin administration significantly (p < .01) shifted the dose-response curve to norepinephrine to the right, both in the presence and absence of endothelium. NG-monomethyl-L-arginine significantly increased the contractions to attain the control level: p < .001 in the presence of endothelium; p < .05 in the absence of endothelium. Anti-TNF-alpha antibody did not prevent endotoxin-induced vascular hyporeactivity to norepinephrine in either endothelium-intact or -denuded rings, but partially attenuated the decrease in maximal response. In ex vivo experiments, 3 hrs after endotoxin injection, vascular responsiveness was sharply decreased. This impaired response was improved in vitro by the inhibition of nitric oxide. The heart response to isoproterenol, nevertheless, was maintained, even though there was an obvious decrease in receptor density and an impaired myocardial accumulation of cAMP. Anti-TNF-alpha antibody partially prevented the alteration of both myocardial pressure response to isoproterenol and biochemical parameters, and was not efficacious in preventing vascular hyporeactivity to vasoconstrictor agents.

  13. Detection of Nitric Oxide by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

    PubMed Central

    Hogg, Neil

    2010-01-01

    Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy has been used in a number of ways to study nitric oxide chemistry and biology. As an intrinsically stable and relatively unreactive diatomic free radical, the challenges for detecting this species by EPR are somewhat different than those for transient radical species. This review gives a basic introduction to EPR spectroscopy and discusses its uses to assess and quantify nitric oxide formation in biological systems. PMID:20304044

  14. A Finite Rate Chemical Analysis of Nitric Oxide Flow Contamination Effects on Scramjet Performance

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cabell, Karen F.; Rock, Kenneth E.

    2003-01-01

    The level of nitric oxide contamination in the test gas of the Langley Research Center Arc-Heated Scramjet Test Facility and the effect of the contamination on scramjet test engine performance were investigated analytically. A finite rate chemical analysis was performed to determine the levels of nitric oxide produced in the facility at conditions corresponding to Mach 6 to 8 flight simulations. Results indicate that nitric oxide levels range from one to three mole percent, corroborating previously obtained measurements. A three-stream combustor code with finite rate chemistry was used to investigate the effects of nitric oxide on scramjet performance. Results indicate that nitric oxide in the test gas causes a small increase in heat release and thrust performance for the test conditions investigated. However, a rate constant uncertainty analysis suggests that the effect of nitric oxide ranges from no net effect, to an increase of about 10 percent in thrust performance.

  15. Real-time electrical detection of nitric oxide in biological systems with sub-nanomolar sensitivity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiang, Shan; Cheng, Rui; Wang, Xiang; Xue, Teng; Liu, Yuan; Nel, Andre; Huang, Yu; Duan, Xiangfeng

    2013-07-01

    Real-time monitoring of nitric oxide concentrations is of central importance for probing the diverse roles of nitric oxide in neurotransmission, cardiovascular systems and immune responses. Here we report a new design of nitric oxide sensors based on hemin-functionalized graphene field-effect transistors. With its single atom thickness and the highest carrier mobility among all materials, graphene holds the promise for unprecedented sensitivity for molecular sensing. The non-covalent functionalization through π-π stacking interaction allows reliable immobilization of hemin molecules on graphene without damaging the graphene lattice to ensure the highly sensitive and specific detection of nitric oxide. Our studies demonstrate that the graphene-hemin sensors can respond rapidly to nitric oxide in physiological environments with a sub-nanomolar sensitivity. Furthermore, in vitro studies show that the graphene-hemin sensors can be used for the detection of nitric oxide released from macrophage cells and endothelial cells, demonstrating their practical functionality in complex biological systems.

  16. Placental Vesicles Carry Active Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Their Activity is Reduced in Preeclampsia.

    PubMed

    Motta-Mejia, Carolina; Kandzija, Neva; Zhang, Wei; Mhlomi, Vuyane; Cerdeira, Ana Sofia; Burdujan, Alexandra; Tannetta, Dionne; Dragovic, Rebecca; Sargent, Ian L; Redman, Christopher W; Kishore, Uday; Vatish, Manu

    2017-08-01

    Preeclampsia, a multisystem hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, is associated with increased systemic vascular resistance. Placentae from patients with preeclampsia have reduced levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and, thus, less nitric oxide (NO). Syncytiotrophoblast extracellular vesicles (STBEV), comprising microvesicles (STBMV) and exosomes, carry signals from the syncytiotrophoblast to the mother. We hypothesized that STBEV-bound eNOS (STBEV-eNOS), capable of producing NO, are released into the maternal circulation. Dual-lobe ex vivo placental perfusion and differential centrifugation was used to isolate STBEV from preeclampsia (n=8) and normal pregnancies (NP; n=11). Plasma samples of gestational age-matched preeclampsia and NP (n=6) were used to isolate circulating STBMV. STBEV expressed placental alkaline phosphatase, confirming placental origin. STBEV coexpressed eNOS, but not inducible nitric oxide synthase, confirmed using Western blot, flow cytometry, and immunodepletion. STBEV-eNOS produced NO, which was significantly inhibited by N   G -nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (eNOS inhibitor; P <0.05) but not by N -(3-(aminomethyl) bezyl) acetamidine) (inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor). STBEV-eNOS catalytic activity was confirmed by visualizing eNOS dimerization. STBEV-eNOS was more abundant in uterine vein compared with peripheral blood, indicating placental origin. STBEV isolated from preeclampsia-perfused placentae had lower levels of STBEV-eNOS (STBMV; P <0.05) and overall lower NO activity (STBMV, not significant; syncytiotrophoblast extracellular exosomes, P <0.05) compared with those from NP. Circulating plasma STBMV from preeclampsia women had lower STBEV-eNOS expression compared with that from NP women ( P <0.01). This is the first observation of functional eNOS expressed on STBEV from NP and preeclampsia placentae, as well as in plasma. The lower STBEV-eNOS NO production seen in preeclampsia may contribute to the decreased NO

  17. Visualizing inducible nitric-oxide synthase in living cells with a heme-binding fluorescent inhibitor.

    PubMed

    Panda, Koustubh; Chawla-Sarkar, Mamta; Santos, Cecile; Koeck, Thomas; Erzurum, Serpil C; Parkinson, John F; Stuehr, Dennis J

    2005-07-19

    The study of nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) physiology is constrained by the lack of suitable probes to detect NOS in living cells or animals. Here, we characterized a fluorescent inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitor called PIF (pyrimidine imidazole FITC) and examined its utility for microscopic imaging of iNOS in living cells. PIF binding to iNOS displayed high affinity, isoform selectivity, and heme specificity, and was essentially irreversible. PIF was used to successfully image iNOS expressed in RAW264.7 cells, HEK293T cells, human A549 epithelial cells, and freshly obtained human lung epithelium. PIF was used to estimate a half-life for iNOS of 1.8 h in HEK293T cells. Our work reveals that fluorescent probes like PIF will be valuable for studying iNOS cell biology and in understanding the pathophysiology of diseases that involve dysfunctional iNOS expression.

  18. Hyperoside protects cortical neurons from oxygen-glucose deprivation-reperfusion induced injury via nitric oxide signal pathway.

    PubMed

    Liu, Rui-Li; Xiong, Qiu-Ju; Shu, Qing; Wu, Wen-Ning; Cheng, Jin; Fu, Hui; Wang, Fang; Chen, Jian-Guo; Hu, Zhuang-Li

    2012-08-21

    Hyperoside is a flavonoid compound and widely used in clinic to relieve pain and improve cardiovascular functions. However, the effects of hyperoside on ischemic neurons and the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we used an in vitro ischemic model of oxygen-glucose deprivation followed by reperfusion (OGD-R) to investigate the protective effects of hyperoside on ischemic neuron injury and further explore the possible related mechanisms. Our results demonstrated that hyperoside protected cultured cortical neurons from OGD-R injury, it also relieved glutamate-induced neuronal injury and NMDA-induced [Ca(2+)](i) elevation. As for the mechanisms, hyperoside firstly attenuated the phosphorylation of CaMKII caused by OGD-R lesions. Meanwhile, hyperoside lessened iNOS expression induced by OGD-R via inhibition of NF-κB activation. Furthermore, ameliorating of ERK, JNK and Bcl-2 family-related apoptotic signaling pathways were also involved in the neuroprotection of hyperoside. Taken together, these studies revealed that hyperoside had protective effects on neuronal ischemia-reperfusion impairment, which was related to the regulation of nitric oxide signaling pathway. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Involvement of sympathetic nervous system and brown fat in endotoxin-induced fever in rats.

    PubMed

    Jepson, M M; Millward, D J; Rothwell, N J; Stock, M J

    1988-11-01

    The object of this study was to assess the role of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and the sympathetic nervous system in the rise in heat production associated with endotoxin-induced fever. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was found to be significantly increased (28%) over a 4-h period after two doses of endotoxin (Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide, 0.3 mg/100 g body wt) given 24 h apart. Injection of a mixed beta-adrenoceptor antagonist (propranolol) reduced VO2 by 14% in endotoxin-treated rats, whereas the selective beta 1- (atenolol) or beta 2- (ICI 118551) antagonists suppressed VO2 by 10%. These drugs did not affect VO2 in control animals. BAT thermogenic activity assessed from measurements of in vitro mitochondrial guanosine 5'-diphosphate (GDP) binding was elevated by 54% in interscapular BAT and by 171% in other BAT depots. Surgical denervation of one lobe of the interscapular depot prevented these responses. Endotoxin failed to stimulate GDP binding in rats fed protein-deficient diets. This may have been because BAT thermogenic activity was already elevated in control rats fed these diets or because endotoxin caused a marked suppression of food intake in the protein-deficient animals. The results indicate that sympathetic activation of BAT is involved in the thermogenic responses to endotoxin and that these can be modified by dietary manipulation.

  20. Phenotypic Consequences of a Genetic Predisposition to Enhanced Nitric Oxide Signaling.

    PubMed

    Emdin, Connor A; Khera, Amit V; Klarin, Derek; Natarajan, Pradeep; Zekavat, Seyedeh M; Nomura, Akihiro; Haas, Mary; Aragam, Krishna; Ardissino, Diego; Wilson, James G; Schunkert, Heribert; McPherson, Ruth; Watkins, Hugh; Elosua, Roberto; Bown, Matthew J; Samani, Nilesh J; Baber, Usman; Erdmann, Jeanette; Gormley, Padhraig; Palotie, Aarno; Stitziel, Nathan O; Gupta, Namrata; Danesh, John; Saleheen, Danish; Gabriel, Stacey; Kathiresan, Sekar

    2018-01-16

    Nitric oxide signaling plays a key role in the regulation of vascular tone and platelet activation. Here, we seek to understand the impact of a genetic predisposition to enhanced nitric oxide signaling on risk for cardiovascular diseases, thus informing the potential utility of pharmacological stimulation of the nitric oxide pathway as a therapeutic strategy. We analyzed the association of common and rare genetic variants in 2 genes that mediate nitric oxide signaling (Nitric Oxide Synthase 3 [ NOS3 ] and Guanylate Cyclase 1, Soluble, Alpha 3 [ GUCY1A3 ]) with a range of human phenotypes. We selected 2 common variants (rs3918226 in NOS3 and rs7692387 in GUCY1A3 ) known to associate with increased NOS3 and GUCY1A3 expression and reduced mean arterial pressure, combined them into a genetic score, and standardized this exposure to a 5 mm Hg reduction in mean arterial pressure. Using individual-level data from 335 464 participants in the UK Biobank and summary association results from 7 large-scale genome-wide association studies, we examined the effect of this nitric oxide signaling score on cardiometabolic and other diseases. We also examined whether rare loss-of-function mutations in NOS3 and GUCY1A3 were associated with coronary heart disease using gene sequencing data from the Myocardial Infarction Genetics Consortium (n=27 815). A genetic predisposition to enhanced nitric oxide signaling was associated with reduced risks of coronary heart disease (odds ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.45; P =5.5*10 -26 ], peripheral arterial disease (odds ratio 0.42; 95% CI, 0.26-0.68; P =0.0005), and stroke (odds ratio, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.37-0.76; P =0.0006). In a mediation analysis, the effect of the genetic score on decreased coronary heart disease risk extended beyond its effect on blood pressure. Conversely, rare variants that inactivate the NOS3 or GUCY1A3 genes were associated with a 23 mm Hg higher systolic blood pressure (95% CI, 12-34; P =5.6*10 -5

  1. Modulation of methamphetamine-induced nitric oxide production by neuropeptide Y in the murine striatum.

    PubMed

    Yarosh, Haley L; Angulo, Jesus A

    2012-11-05

    Methamphetamine (METH) is a potent stimulant that induces both acute and long-lasting neurochemical changes in the brain including neuronal cell loss. Our laboratory demonstrated that the neuropeptide substance P enhances the striatal METH-induced production of nitric oxide (NO). In order to better understand the role of the striatal neuropeptides on the METH-induced production of NO, we used agonists and antagonists of the NPY (Y1R and Y2R) receptors infused via intrastriatal microinjection followed by a bolus of METH (30 mg/kg, ip) and measured 3-NT immunofluorescence, an indirect index of NO production. One striatum received pharmacological agent while the contralateral striatum received aCSF and served as control. NPY receptor agonists dose dependently attenuated the METH-induced production of striatal 3-NT. Conversely, NPY receptor antagonists had the opposite effect. Moreover, METH induced the accumulation of cyclic GMP and activated caspase-3 in approximately 18% of striatal neurons, a phenomenon that was attenuated by pre-treatment with NPY2 receptor agonist. Lastly, METH increased the levels of striatal preproneuropeptide Y mRNA nearly five-fold 16 h after injection as determined by RT-PCR, suggesting increased utilization of the neuropeptide. In conclusion, NPY inhibits the METH-induced production of NO in striatal tissue. Consequently, production of this second messenger induces the accumulation of cyclic GMP and activated caspase-3 in some striatal neurons, an event that may precede the apoptosis of some striatal neurons. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Increased Contextual Fear Conditioning in iNOS Knockout Mice: Additional Evidence for the Involvement of Nitric Oxide in Stress-Related Disorders and Contribution of the Endocannabinoid System

    PubMed Central

    Gomes, Felipe V.; Silva, Andréia L.; Uliana, Daniela L.; Camargo, Laura H. A.; Guimarães, Francisco S.; Cunha, Fernando Q.; Joca, Sâmia R. L.; Resstel, Leonardo B. M.

    2015-01-01

    Background: Inducible or neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene deletion increases or decreases anxiety-like behavior in mice, respectively. Since nitric oxide and endocannabinoids interact to modulate defensive behavior, the former effect could involve a compensatory increase in basal brain nitric oxide synthase activity and/or changes in the endocannabinoid system. Thus, we investigated the expression and extinction of contextual fear conditioning of inducible nitric oxide knockout mice and possible involvement of endocannabinoids in these responses. Methods: We evaluated the effects of a preferential neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, 7-nitroindazol, nitric oxide synthase activity, and mRNA changes of nitrergic and endocannabinoid systems components in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of wild-type and knockout mice. The effects of URB597, an inhibitor of the fatty acid amide hydrolase enzyme, which metabolizes the endocannabinoid anandamide, WIN55,212-2, a nonselective cannabinoid agonist, and AM281, a selective CB1 antagonist, on contextual fear conditioning were also evaluated. Results: Contextual fear conditioning expression was similar in wild-type and knockout mice, but the latter presented extinction deficits and increased basal nitric oxide synthase activity in the medial prefrontal cortex. 7-Nitroindazol decreased fear expression and facilitated extinction in wild-type and knockout mice. URB597 decreased fear expression in wild-type and facilitated extinction in knockout mice, whereas WIN55,212-2 and AM281 increased it in wild-type mice. Nonconditioned knockout mice showed changes in the mRNA expression of nitrergic and endocannabinoid system components in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus that were modified by fear conditioning. Conclusion: These data reinforce the involvement of the nitric oxide and endocannabinoids (anandamide) in stress-related disorders and point to a deregulation of the endocannabinoid system in

  3. Increased Contextual Fear Conditioning in iNOS Knockout Mice: Additional Evidence for the Involvement of Nitric Oxide in Stress-Related Disorders and Contribution of the Endocannabinoid System.

    PubMed

    Lisboa, Sabrina F; Gomes, Felipe V; Silva, Andréia L; Uliana, Daniela L; Camargo, Laura H A; Guimarães, Francisco S; Cunha, Fernando Q; Joca, Sâmia R L; Resstel, Leonardo B M

    2015-01-24

    Inducible or neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene deletion increases or decreases anxiety-like behavior in mice, respectively. Since nitric oxide and endocannabinoids interact to modulate defensive behavior, the former effect could involve a compensatory increase in basal brain nitric oxide synthase activity and/or changes in the endocannabinoid system. Thus, we investigated the expression and extinction of contextual fear conditioning of inducible nitric oxide knockout mice and possible involvement of endocannabinoids in these responses. We evaluated the effects of a preferential neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, 7-nitroindazol, nitric oxide synthase activity, and mRNA changes of nitrergic and endocannabinoid systems components in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of wild-type and knockout mice. The effects of URB597, an inhibitor of the fatty acid amide hydrolase enzyme, which metabolizes the endocannabinoid anandamide, WIN55,212-2, a nonselective cannabinoid agonist, and AM281, a selective CB1 antagonist, on contextual fear conditioning were also evaluated. Contextual fear conditioning expression was similar in wild-type and knockout mice, but the latter presented extinction deficits and increased basal nitric oxide synthase activity in the medial prefrontal cortex. 7-Nitroindazol decreased fear expression and facilitated extinction in wild-type and knockout mice. URB597 decreased fear expression in wild-type and facilitated extinction in knockout mice, whereas WIN55,212-2 and AM281 increased it in wild-type mice. Nonconditioned knockout mice showed changes in the mRNA expression of nitrergic and endocannabinoid system components in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus that were modified by fear conditioning. These data reinforce the involvement of the nitric oxide and endocannabinoids (anandamide) in stress-related disorders and point to a deregulation of the endocannabinoid system in situations where nitric oxide signaling is

  4. Effects of morphine on stress induced anxiety in rats: role of nitric oxide and Hsp70.

    PubMed

    Joshi, Jagdish C; Ray, Arunabha; Gulati, Kavita

    2015-02-01

    The present study evaluated the effects of morphine on acute and chronic restraint stress (RS) induced anxiety modulation and the possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO) and heat shock proteins (Hsp70) during such effects. Acute RS (×1) induced anxiogenesis in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test which was associated with lowered brain NO metabolites (NOx) and elevated Hsp70 levels. Pretreatment with morphine (1 and 5 mg/kg) and L-arginine (500 mg/kg) attenuated the RS effects on EPM activity and brain NOx, whereas, Hsp70 levels were further augmented. Co-administration of both agents showed synergistic effects. By contrast, repeated RS (×15) did not induce any significant changes in EPM activity or brain NOx, but brain Hsp70 levels stayed elevated. Administration of morphine or L-arginine prior to chronic RS did not influence such chronic stress induced changes in behavioral and biochemical markers, but appreciably attenuated chronic RS induced elevation in Hsp70 levels. These results suggest that acute and chronic RS induced anxiety modulations were differentially influenced by morphine and L-arginine and that complex interactions involving brain NO and unregulated Hsp70 could regulate such effects. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  5. Nitric Oxide and Anxiety.

    PubMed

    Gulati, K; Rai, N; Ray, A

    2017-01-01

    Anxiety is a common neuropsychiatric disorder which affects both physical and mental health. Complex neurobiological mechanisms are involved in the genesis of anxiety, and the drugs used to date, though effective, are not free from shortcomings. Conventional agents like the classical benzodiazepines and the atypical nonbenzodiazepine agents like buspirone have their own limitations. There is thus need to explore newer neurochemical pathways to develop efficacious and safer drugs for the disorder. Nitric oxide (NO) is a unique neuromodulator substance, with the ability to influence and modulate several other conventional messengers which play an important role in anxiety. The currently available experimental and clinical data indicate that NO may be involved in the regulation of anxiety-like behavior induced by a variety of stimuli. These studies have explored the pharmacological and biochemical basis of nitrergic mechanisms in anxiety, and the data available are equivocal. This chapter reviews the research data available in this specific area and suggests that in view of the nature of the existing data, there is considerable scope for future research in this field. © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in ovine model of acute lung injury*

    PubMed Central

    Enkhbaatar, Perenlei; Connelly, Rhykka; Wang, Jianpu; Nakano, Yoshimitsu; Lange, Matthias; Hamahata, Atsumori; Horvath, Eszter; Szabo, Csaba; Jaroch, Stefan; Hölscher, Peter; Hillmann, Margrit; Traber, Lillian D.; Schmalstieg, Frank C.; Herndon, David N.; Traber, Daniel L.

    2013-01-01

    Objective Acute respiratory distress syndrome/acute lung injury is a serious complication of burn patients with concomitant smoke inhalation injury. Nitric oxide has been shown to play a major role in pulmonary dysfunction from thermal damage. In this study, we have tested the hypothesis that inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase could ameliorate the severity of acute lung injury using our well-established ovine model of cutaneous burn and smoke inhalation. Design Prospective, randomized, controlled, experimental animals study. Setting Investigational intensive care unit at university hospital. Subjects Adult female sheep Interventions Female sheep (n = 16) were surgically prepared for the study. Seven days after surgery, all sheep were randomly allocated into three study groups: sham (noninjured, nontreated, n = 6); control (injured, treated with saline, n = 6); and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (injured, treated with specific neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, ZK 234238 (n = 4). Control and neuronal nitric oxide synthase groups were given a cutaneous burn (40% of total body surface, third degree) and insufflated with cotton smoke (48 breaths, <40°C) under halothane anesthesia. Animals in sham group received fake injury also under halothane anesthesia. After injury or fake injury procedure, all sheep were placed on ventilators and resuscitated with lactated Ringer's solution. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase group was administered with continuous infusion of ZK 234238 started 1 hr postinjury with a dose of 100 μg/kg/hr. Sham and control groups received same amount of saline. Measurements and Main Results Cardiopulmonary hemodynamics monitored during the 24-hr experimental time period was stable in the sham group. Control sheep developed multiple signs of acute lung injury. This pathophysiology included decreased pulmonary gas exchange and lung compliance, increased pulmonary edema, and inflammatory indices, such as interleukin-8. Treatment of

  7. Baicalin Protects the Cardiomyocytes from ER Stress-Induced Apoptosis: Inhibition of CHOP through Induction of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Bo; Guo, Xiaowang; Zeng, Chao; Xu, Yong; Shen, Liangliang; Cheng, Ke; Xia, Yuesheng; Li, Xiumin; Wang, Haichang; Fan, Li; Wang, Xiaoming

    2014-01-01

    Baicalin, the main active ingredient of the Scutellaria root, exerts anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects in cardiovascular diseases. However, the therapeutic mechanism of baicalin remains unknown. Cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were pre-treated with baicalin (0–50 µM) for 24 h, and subsequently treated with tunicamycin (100 ng/ml). Cell viability was detected by MTT assay, and cell damage was determined by LDH release and TUNEL assay. The expression of CHOP, JNK, caspase-3, eNOS was analyzed by western blot. NO was measured by DAF-FM staining. As a result, treatment with baicalin significantly reduced apoptosis induced by ER stress inducer tunicamycin in cardiomyocytes. Molecularly, baicalin ameliorated tunicamycin-induced ER stress by downregulation of CHOP. In addition, baicalin inverted tunicamycin-induced decreases of eNOS mRNA and protein levels, phospho eNOS and NO production through CHOP pathway. However, the protective effects of baicalin were significantly decreased in cardiomyocytes treated with L-NAME, which suppressed activation of nitric oxide synthase. In conclusion, our results implicate that baicalin could protect cardiomyocytes from ER stress-induced apoptosis via CHOP/eNOS/NO pathway, and suggest the therapeutic values of baicalin against ER stress-associated cardiomyocyte apoptosis. PMID:24520378

  8. MHz-rate nitric oxide planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging in a Mach 10 hypersonic wind tunnel.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Naibo; Webster, Matthew; Lempert, Walter R; Miller, Joseph D; Meyer, Terrence R; Ivey, Christopher B; Danehy, Paul M

    2011-02-01

    Nitric oxide planar laser-induced fluorescence (NO PLIF) imaging at repetition rates as high as 1 MHz is demonstrated in the NASA Langley 31 in. Mach 10 hypersonic wind tunnel. Approximately 200 time-correlated image sequences of between 10 and 20 individual frames were obtained over eight days of wind tunnel testing spanning two entries in March and September of 2009. The image sequences presented were obtained from the boundary layer of a 20° flat plate model, in which transition was induced using a variety of different shaped protuberances, including a cylinder and a triangle. The high-speed image sequences captured a variety of laminar and transitional flow phenomena, ranging from mostly laminar flow, typically at a lower Reynolds number and/or in the near wall region of the model, to highly transitional flow in which the temporal evolution and progression of characteristic streak instabilities and/or corkscrew-shaped vortices could be clearly identified.

  9. Endotoxin Inhalation Alters Lung Development in Neonatal Mice

    PubMed Central

    Kulhankova, Katarina; George, Caroline L.S.; Kline, Joel N.; Darling, Melissa; Thorne, Peter S.

    2012-01-01

    Background Childhood asthma is a significant public health problem. Epidemiologic evidence suggests an association between childhood asthma exacerbations and early life exposure to environmental endotoxin. Although the pathogenesis of endotoxin-induced adult asthma is well studied, questions remain about the impact of environmental endotoxin on pulmonary responsiveness in early life. Methods We developed a murine model of neonatal/juvenile endotoxin exposures approximating those in young children and evaluated the lungs inflammatory and remodeling responses. Results Persistent lung inflammation induced by the inhalation of endotoxin in early life was demonstrated by the influx of inflammatory cells and pro-inflammatory mediators to the airways and resulted in abnormal alveolarization. Conclusions Results of this study advance the understanding of the impact early life endotoxin inhalation has on the lower airways, and demonstrates the importance of an experimental design that approximates environmental exposures as they occur in young children. PMID:22576659

  10. Nicorandil, a Nitric Oxide Donor and ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channel Opener, Protects Against Dystrophin-Deficient Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Afzal, Muhammad Z.; Reiter, Melanie; Gastonguay, Courtney; McGivern, Jered V.; Guan, Xuan; Ge, Zhi-Dong; Mack, David L.; Childers, Martin K.; Ebert, Allison D.; Strande, Jennifer L.

    2016-01-01

    Background Dystrophin-deficient cardiomyopathy is a growing clinical problem without targeted treatments. We investigated whether nicorandil promotes cardioprotection in human dystrophin-deficient induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes and the muscular dystrophy mdx mouse heart. Methods and Results Dystrophin-deficient iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes had decreased levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and neuronal nitric oxide synthase. The dystrophin-deficient cardiomyocytes had increased cell injury and death after 2 hours of stress and recovery. This was associated with increased levels of reactive oxygen species and dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Nicorandil pretreatment was able to abolish these stress-induced changes through a mechanism that involved the nitric oxide–cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway and mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels. The increased reactive oxygen species levels in the dystrophin-deficient cardiomyocytes were associated with diminished expression of select antioxidant genes and increased activity of xanthine oxidase. Furthermore, nicorandil was found to improve the restoration of cardiac function after ischemia and reperfusion in the isolated mdx mouse heart. Conclusion Nicorandil protects against stress-induced cell death in dystrophin-deficient cardiomyocytes and preserves cardiac function in the mdx mouse heart subjected to ischemia and reperfusion injury. This suggests a potential therapeutic role for nicorandil in dystrophin-deficient cardiomyopathy. PMID:26940570

  11. Analytical study of mechanisms for nitric oxide formation during combustion of methane in a jet-stirred combustor

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jachimowski, C. J.

    1975-01-01

    The role of chemical kinetics in the formation of nitric oxide during the combustion of methane was examined analytically by means of a detailed chemical mechanism for the oxidation of methane, for the reaction between hydrocarbon fragments, and for the formation of nitric oxide. By comparing predicted nitric oxide levels with values reported in the literature from jet-stirred combuster experiments, it was determined that the nitric oxide levels observed in fuel-rich flames cannot be described by a mechanism in which the rate of nitric oxide formation is controlled solely by the kinetics of oxygen atom formation. A proposed mechanism for the formation of nitric oxide in methane-rich flames reproduces the observed levels. The oxidation of hydrogen cyanide appears to be an important factor in nitric oxide formation.

  12. Role of Angiotensin II type 1 receptor on renal NAD(P)H oxidase, oxidative stress and inflammation in nitric oxide inhibition induced-hypertension.

    PubMed

    Rincón, J; Correia, D; Arcaya, J L; Finol, E; Fernández, A; Pérez, M; Yaguas, K; Talavera, E; Chávez, M; Summer, R; Romero, F

    2015-03-01

    Activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), renal oxidative stress and inflammation are constantly present in experimental hypertension. Nitric oxide (NO) inhibition with N(w)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) has previously been reported to produce hypertension, increased expression of Angiotensin II (Ang II) and renal dysfunction. The use of Losartan, an Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonist has proven to be effective reducing hypertension and renal damage; however, the mechanism by which AT1R blockade reduced kidney injury and normalizes blood pressure in this experimental model is still complete unknown. The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that AT1R activation promotes renal NAD(P)H oxidase up-regulation, oxidative stress and cytokine production during L-NAME induced-hypertension. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were distributed in three groups: L-NAME, receiving 70 mg/100ml of L-NAME, L-NAME+Los, receiving 70 mg/100ml of L-NAME and 40 mg/kg/day of Losartan; and Controls, receiving water instead of L-NAME or L-NAME and Losartan. After two weeks, L-NAME induced high blood pressure, renal overexpression of AT1R, NAD(P)H oxidase sub-units gp91, p22 and p47, increased levels of oxidative stress, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-17 (IL-17). Also, we found increased renal accumulation of lymphocytes and macrophages. Losartan treatment abolished the renal expression of gp91, p22, p47, oxidative stress and reduced NF-κB activation and IL-6 expression. These findings indicate that NO induced-hypertension is associated with up-regulation of NADPH oxidase, oxidative stress production and overexpression of key inflammatory mediators. These events are associated with up-regulation of AT1R, as evidenced by their reversal with AT1R blocker treatment. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity in the nematode Trichinella britovi. Evidence for nitric oxide production by the parasite.

    PubMed

    Masetti, Massimo; Locci, Teresa; Cecchettini, Antonella; Lucchesi, Paolo; Magi, Marta; Malvaldi, Gino; Bruschi, Fabrizio

    2004-05-01

    Nitric oxide has been extensively studied as an effector molecule of the host immune response against both protozoa and helminths, but parasites can also produce this molecule, through the action of nitric oxide (NO) synthases or NO synthases-like enzymes. The aim of this study was to verify the possible production of NO by Trichinella britovi L(1) larvae and the enzymes involved in this process. The NO synthase immunoreactivity and putative nitric oxide synthase-activity was analysed using antibodies to mammalian NO synthase III and to nitrotyrosine with immunohistochemistry, gold immunocytochemistry and immunoblot analysis and NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry. Our results show that T. britovi L(1) larvae possess an enzymatic activity capable of producing NO. The localisation of this activity, according to the NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry, is both at the cuticular and the internal level. This localisation is confirmed by nitrotyrosine immunohistochemistry both under optical and electron microscopy. Using the NO synthase III antibody, a similar pattern of labelling was found: in particular, electron microscopy showed a localisation of this immunoreactivity in the cuticle and in the stichocytes, where only the alpha2 granules contained gold particles, mainly concentrated at their periphery. Four polypeptides reacting to the NO synthase III antibody are revealed by Western blotting. Their molecular weight ranged from 38 to 50 kDa. A significant reaction of the anti-nitrotyrosine antibody to polypeptides 95, 60, 48 and 39 kDa from the same sample suggested the presence of different nitrosylated proteins.

  14. Nitric oxide system and diabetic nephropathy

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    About 30% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus develop clinically overt nephropathy. Hyperglycemia is necessary, but not sufficient, to cause the renal damage that leads to kidney failure. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a multifactorial disorder that results from interaction between environmental and genetic factors. In the present article we will review the role of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the pathogenesis of DN. Nitric oxide (NO) is a short-lived gaseous lipophilic molecule produced in almost all tissues, and it has three distinct genes that encode three NOS isoforms: neuronal (nNOS), inducible (iNOS) and endothelial (eNOS). The correct function of the endothelium depends on NO, participating in hemostasis control, vascular tone regulation, proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and blood pressure homeostasis, among other features. In the kidney, NO plays many different roles, including control of renal and glomerular hemodynamics. The net effect of NO in the kidney is to promote natriuresis and diuresis, along with renal adaptation to dietary salt intake. The eNOS gene has been considered a potential candidate gene for DN susceptibility. Three polymorphisms have been extensively researched: G894T missense mutation (rs1799983), a 27-bp repeat in intron 4, and the T786C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter (rs2070744). However, the potential link between eNOS gene variants and the induction and progression of DN yielded contradictory results in the literature. In conclusion, NOS seems to be involve in the development and progression of DN. Despite the discrepant results of many studies, the eNOS gene is also a good candidate gene for DN. PMID:24520999

  15. Modulation of parathion toxicity by glucose feeding: Is nitric oxide involved?

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Liu Jing; Gupta, Ramesh C.; Goad, John T.

    2007-03-15

    Glucose feeding can markedly exacerbate the toxicity of the anticholinesterase insecticide, parathion. We determined the effects of parathion on brain nitric oxide and its possible role in potentiation of toxicity by glucose feeding. Adult rats were given water or 15% glucose in water for 3 days and challenged with vehicle or parathion (18 mg/kg, s.c.) on day 4. Functional signs, plasma glucose and brain cholinesterase, citrulline (an indicator of nitric oxide production) and high-energy phosphates (HEPs) were measured 1-3 days after parathion. Glucose feeding exacerbated cholinergic toxicity. Parathion increased plasma glucose (15-33%) and decreased cortical cholinesterase activity (81-90%), with nomore » significant differences between water and glucose treatment groups. In contrast, parathion increased brain regional citrulline (40-47%) and decreased HEPs (18-40%) in rats drinking water, with significantly greater changes in glucose-fed rats (248-363% increase and 31-61% decrease, respectively). We then studied the effects of inhibiting neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) by 7-nitroindazole (7NI, 30 mg/kg, i.p. x4) on parathion toxicity and its modulation by glucose feeding. Co-exposure to parathion and 7NI led to a marked increase in cholinergic signs of toxicity and lethality, regardless of glucose intake. Thus, glucose feeding enhanced the accumulation of brain nitric oxide following parathion exposure, but inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis was ineffective at counteracting increased parathion toxicity associated with glucose feeding. Evidence is therefore presented to suggest that nitric oxide may play both toxic and protective roles in cholinergic toxicity, and its precise contribution to modulation by glucose feeding requires further investigation.« less

  16. Neutral endopeptidase knockout induces hyperalgesia in a model of visceral pain, an effect related to bradykinin and nitric oxide.

    PubMed

    Fischer, Hanspeter S; Zernig, Gerald; Hauser, Kurt F; Gerard, Craig; Hersh, Louis B; Saria, Alois

    2002-01-01

    Neutral endopeptidase (EC3.4.24.11, NEP, enkephalinase) is a zinc-metalloendopeptidase, cleaving a variety of substrates like enkephalins, substance P, and bradykinin. In the brain, NEP is a key enzyme in the degradation of enkephalins. Pharmacological inhibition of NEP-activity causes analgesia resulting from enhanced extracellular enkephalin concentrations. Recently, transgenic mice lacking the enzyme NEP have been developed (Lu, 1995). The present study was designed to investigate the nociceptive behavior of these NEP-knockout mice. Interestingly, NEP-deficient mice did not respond with decreased pain perception, but exhibited hyperalgesia in the hot-plate jump, warm-water tail-withdrawal, and mostnotablyin theacetic-acid writhing test. Inhibition of aminopeptidase N by bestatin reduced writhing in both strains, whereas NEP-inhibition by thiorphan reduced writhing selectively in wild-type mice. Naloxone increased writhing in wild-type but not in knockouts, whereas the bradykinin B2-receptor antagonist HOE140 reduced writhing selectively in NEP-knockouts. Similarly, the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME reduced writhing in NEP-knockouts. These results indicate that genetic elimination of NEP, in contrast to pharmacological inhibition, leads to bradykinin-induced hyperalgesia instead of enkephalin-mediated analgesia. Nitric oxide (NO) is suggested to be involved in this process.

  17. Copper Complex in Poly(vinyl chloride) as a Nitric Oxide-Generating Catalyst for the Control of Nitrifying Bacterial Biofilms.

    PubMed

    Wonoputri, Vita; Gunawan, Cindy; Liu, Sanly; Barraud, Nicolas; Yee, Lachlan H; Lim, May; Amal, Rose

    2015-10-14

    In this study, catalytic generation of nitric oxide by a copper(II) complex embedded within a poly(vinyl chloride) matrix in the presence of nitrite (source of nitric oxide) and ascorbic acid (reducing agent) was shown to effectively control the formation and dispersion of nitrifying bacteria biofilms. Amperometric measurements indicated increased and prolonged generation of nitric oxide with the addition of the copper complex when compared to that with nitrite and ascorbic acid alone. The effectiveness of the copper complex-nitrite-ascorbic acid system for biofilm control was quantified using protein analysis, which showed enhanced biofilm suppression when the copper complex was used in comparison to that with nitrite and ascorbic acid treatment alone. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and LIVE/DEAD staining revealed a reduction in cell surface coverage without a loss of viability with the copper complex and up to 5 mM of nitrite and ascorbic acid, suggesting that the nitric oxide generated from the system inhibits proliferation of the cells on surfaces. Induction of nitric oxide production by the copper complex system also triggered the dispersal of pre-established biofilms. However, the addition of a high concentration of nitrite and ascorbic acid to a pre-established biofilm induced bacterial membrane damage and strongly decreased the metabolic activity of planktonic and biofilm cells, as revealed by CLSM with LIVE/DEAD staining and intracellular adenosine triphosphate measurements, respectively. This study highlights the utility of the catalytic generation of nitric oxide for the long-term suppression and removal of nitrifying bacterial biofilms.

  18. Inhibitory effects of citronellol and geraniol on nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂production in macrophages.

    PubMed

    Su, Yu-Wen; Chao, Shiou-Huei; Lee, Meng-Hwan; Ou, Tsang-Yow; Tsai, Ying-Chieh

    2010-10-01

    Geranium oil has been used traditionally for diarrhea, dermatitis, and intestinal inflammation in East Asia. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of geranium oil's characteristic components, citronellol and geraniol, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Citronellol and geraniol suppressed NO and PGE(2) production in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory efficacy of geraniol was concomitant with decreases in protein and mRNA expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), whereas citronellol inhibited only iNOS enzymatic activity. By adding citronellol and geraniol, the LPS-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein and mRNA expression levels were significantly attenuated, whereas cytosolic degradation of I κB α and upregulation of NF-κB p65 in the nucleus were reversed. These results suggested that citronellol and geraniol exhibit anti-inflammatory activities, supporting their common use and demonstrating their therapeutic potential for inflammation-associated disorders. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  19. Nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxation induced by extractive solutions and fractions of Maytenus ilicifolia Mart ex Reissek (Celastraceae) leaves.

    PubMed

    Rattmann, Yanna D; Cipriani, Thales R; Sassaki, Guilherme L; Iacomini, Marcello; Rieck, Lia; Marques, Maria C A; da Silva-Santos, José E

    2006-04-06

    This study reveals that an ethanolic supernatant obtained from an aqueous extractive solution prepared from residues of methanolic extracts of ground leaves of Maytenus ilicifolia is able to cause a concentration- and endothelium-dependent relaxation in pre-contract rat aorta rings, with EC(50) of 199.7 (190-210) microg/ml. The non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitors l-NAME and l-NMMA abolished this effect, while superoxide dismutase and MnTBAP (a non-enzymatic superoxide dismutase mimetic) enhanced it. Further, relaxation induced by this ethanolic supernatant have been strongly inhibited by the guanylate cyclase inhibitors methylene blue and ODQ, as well as by the potassium channel blockers 4-aminopyridine and tetraethylammonium, but was unchanged by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin and the membrane receptor antagonists atropine, HOE-140 and pirilamine. Partition of the ethanolic supernatant between H(2)O and EtOAc generated a fraction several times more potent, able to fully relax endothelium-intact aorta rings with an EC(50) of 4.3 (3.9-4.8) microg/ml. (13)C NMR spectrum of this fraction showed signals typical of catechin. This study reveals that the leaves of M. ilicifolia possess one or more potent substances able to relax endothelium-intact rat aorta rings, an event that appears to involve nitric oxide production, guanylate cyclase activation and potassium channel opening.

  20. Endotoxin hitchhiking on polymer nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Donnell, Mason L.; Lyon, Andrew J.; Mormile, Melanie R.; Barua, Sutapa

    2016-07-01

    The control of microbial infections is critical for the preparation of biological media including water to prevent lethal septic shock. Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. More than half a million patients suffer from sepsis every year. Both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria are responsible for septic infection by the most common organisms i.e., Escherichia coli and Pseuodomonas aeruginosa. The bacterial cell membrane releases negatively charged endotoxins upon death and enzymatic destruction, which stimulate antigenic response in humans to gram-negative infections. Several methods including distillation, ethylene oxide treatment, filtration and irradiation have been employed to remove endotoxins from contaminated samples, however, the reduction efficiency remains low, and presents a challenge. Polymer nanoparticles can be used to overcome the current inability to effectively sequester endotoxins from water. This process is termed endotoxin hitchhiking. The binding of endotoxin on polymer nanoparticles via electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions offers efficient removal from water. However, the effect of polymer nanoparticles and its surface areas has not been investigated for removal of endotoxins. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) polymer was tested for its ability to effectively bind and remove endotoxins from water. By employing a simple one-step phase separation technique, we were able to synthesize PCL nanoparticles of 398.3 ± 95.13 nm size and a polydispersity index of 0.2. PCL nanoparticles showed ∼78.8% endotoxin removal efficiency, the equivalent of 3.9 × 105 endotoxin units (EU) per ml. This is 8.34-fold more effective than that reported for commercially available membranes. Transmission electron microscopic images confirmed binding of multiple endotoxins to the nanoparticle surface. The concept of using nanoparticles may be applicable not only to eliminate gram-negative bacteria, but also for any gram

  1. Coupling Between the Thermosphere and the Stratosphere: the Role of Nitric Oxide

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brasseur, G.

    1984-01-01

    In order to understand the lower ionosphere and its probable control by dynamical processes, the behavior of nitric oxide below 100 km was investigated. A two dimensional model with coupled chemical and dynamical processes was constructed. Calculations based on the model reveal that the chemical conditions at the stratopause are related to the state of the thermosphere. This coupling mechanism can be partly explained by the downward transport of nitric oxide during the winter season, and consequently depends on the dynamical conditions in the mesosphere and in the lower thermosphere (mean circulation and waves). In summer, the photodissociation of nitric oxide plays an important role and the thermospheric NO abundance modulates the radiation field reaching the upper stratosphere. Perturbations in the nitric oxide concentration above the mesopause could therefore have an impact in the vicinity of the stratopause.

  2. Expression of a nitric oxide degrading enzyme induces a senescence programme in Arabidopsis.

    PubMed

    Mishina, Tatiana E; Lamb, Chris; Zeier, Jürgen

    2007-01-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) has been proposed to act as a factor delaying leaf senescence and fruit maturation in plants. Here we show that expression of a NO degrading dioxygenase (NOD) in Arabidopsis thaliana initiates a senescence-like phenotype, an effect that proved to be more pronounced in older than in younger leaves. This senescence phenotype was preceded by a massive switch in gene expression in which photosynthetic genes were down-regulated, whereas many senescence-associated genes (SAGs) and the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase gene ACS6 involved in ethylene synthesis were up-regulated. External fumigation of NOD plants with NO as well as environmental conditions known to stimulate endogenous NO production attenuated the induced senescence programme. For instance, both high light conditions and nitrate feeding reduced the senescence phenotype and attenuated the down-regulation of photosynthetic genes as well as the up-regulation of SAGs. Treatment of plants with the cytokinin 6-benzylaminopurin (BAP) reduced the down-regulation of photosynthesis, although it had no consistent effect on SAG expression. Metabolic changes during NOD-induced senescence comprehended increases in salicylic acid (SA) levels, accumulation of the phytoalexin camalexin and elevation of leaf gamma-tocopherol contents, all of which occurred during natural senescence in Arabidopsis leaves as well. Moreover, NO fumigation delayed the senescence process induced by darkening individual Arabidopsis Columbia-0 (Col-0) leaves. Our data thus support the notion that NO acts as a negative regulator of leaf senescence.

  3. CHP1002, a novel andrographolide derivative, inhibits pro-inflammatory inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expressions in RAW264.7 macrophages via up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 expression.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Bo; Yan, Lingdi; Zhou, Peilan; Dong, Zhaoqi; Feng, Siliang; Liu, Keliang; Gong, Zehui

    2013-02-01

    Andrographolides, a type of diterpene lactone, are widely known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. CHP1002, a synthetic derivative of andrographolide, has similar anti-inflammatory action in mouse ear swelling test and rat paw edema test. In the present study, the mechanism of anti-inflammatory effects of CHP1002 was investigated in RAW264.7 macrophages. CHP1002 potently suppressed inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expressions in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. CHP1002 reduced the production of iNOS-derived nitric oxide (NO) and COX-2-derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). CHP1002 induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression via activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and NF-E2 related factor 2 transcription factor (Nrf2). Down-regulation of LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 expressions was partially reversed by the HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP). In addition, CHP1002 significantly attenuated LPS-induced TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 production. CHP1002 effectively induced HO-1 and was capable of inhibiting some macrophage-derived pro-inflammatory mediators, which may be closely correlated with its anti-inflammatory action. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Resistance of essential fatty acid-deficient rats to endotoxin-induced increases in vascular permeability

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Li, E.J.; Cook, J.A.; Spicer, K.M.

    Resistance to endotoxin in essential fatty acid-deficient (EFAD) rats is associated with reduced synthesis of certain arachidonic acid metabolites. It was hypothesized that EFAD rats would manifest decreased vascular permeability changes during endotoxemia as a consequence of reduced arachidonic acid metabolism. To test this hypothesis, changes in hematocrit (HCT) and mesenteric localization rate of technetium-labeled human serum albumin (99mTc-HSA) and red blood cells (99mTc-RBC) were assessed in EFAD and normal rats using gamma-camera imaging. Thirty minutes after Salmonella enteritidis endotoxin, EFAD rats exhibited less hemoconcentration as determined by % HCT than normal rats. Endotoxin caused a less severe change inmore » permeability index in the splanchnic region in EFAD rats than in normal rats (1.2 +/- 0.6 x 10(-3)min-1 vs. 4.9 +/- 1.7 x 10(-3)min-1 respectively, P less than 0.05). In contrast to 99mTc-HSA, mesenteric localization of 99mTc-RBC was not changed by endotoxin in control or EFAD rats. Supplementation with ethyl-arachidonic acid did not enhance susceptibility of EFAD rats to endotoxin-induced splanchnic permeability to 99mTc-HSA. Leukotrienes have been implicated as mediators of increased vascular permeability in endotoxin shock. Since LTC3 formation has been reported to be increased in EFA deficiency, we hypothesized that LTC3 may be less potent than LTC4. Thus the effect of LTC3 on mean arterial pressure and permeability was compared to LTC4 in normal rats. LTC3-induced increases in peak mean arterial pressure were less than LTC4 at 10 micrograms/kg (39 +/- 5 mm Hg vs. 58 +/- 4 mm Hg respectively, P less than 0.05) and at 20 micrograms/kg (56 +/- 4 mm Hg vs. 75 +/- 2 mm Hg respectively, P less than 0.05). LY171883 (30 mg/kg), an LTD4/E4 receptor antagonist, attenuated the pressor effect of LTC4, LTD4, and LTC3.« less

  5. Effect of Thalidomide on Nitric Oxide Production in Lipopolysaccharide-Activated RAW 264.7 Cells

    PubMed Central

    Park, Eunkyue; Levis, WR; Greig, NH; Euisun, Jung; Schuller-Levis, G

    2016-01-01

    Thalidomide is anti-inflammatory under some conditions, yet has been reported to up regulate TH1 immunity measured by increased IL-2 and gamma interferon. We have assessed the effect of thalidomide and analogues, di- and tri-thiothalidomide, on a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated macrophage cell line (RAW 246.7 cells). Our findings showed that nitric oxide (NO) was significantly inhibited by thalidomide (15%) and its analogues (di-thiothalidomide; 15%, tri-thiothalidomide; 32%). The proinflammatory molecules TNF-α and IL-6 were not significantly inhibited. Pretreatment with thalidomide and analogues before activation was not different from simultaneous treatment. Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) may prove to be an important target for the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of thalidomide and related immunomodulatory drugs (IMIDs). PMID:20514789

  6. Flow-dependent regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase: role of protein kinases

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Boo, Yong Chool; Jo, Hanjoong

    2003-01-01

    Vascular endothelial cells are directly and continuously exposed to fluid shear stress generated by blood flow. Shear stress regulates endothelial structure and function by controlling expression of mechanosensitive genes and production of vasoactive factors such as nitric oxide (NO). Though it is well known that shear stress stimulates NO production from endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear and controversial. Shear-induced production of NO involves Ca2+/calmodulin-independent mechanisms, including phosphorylation of eNOS at several sites and its interaction with other proteins, including caveolin and heat shock protein-90. There have been conflicting results as to which protein kinases-protein kinase A, protein kinase B (Akt), other Ser/Thr protein kinases, or tyrosine kinases-are responsible for shear-dependent eNOS regulation. The functional significance of each phosphorylation site is still unclear. We have attempted to summarize the current status of understanding in shear-dependent eNOS regulation.

  7. Anchored plasticity opens doors for selective inhibitor design in nitric oxide synthase

    PubMed Central

    Garcin, Elsa D.; Arvai, Andrew S.; Rosenfeld, Robin J.; Kroeger, Matt D.; Crane, Brian R.; Andersson, Gunilla; Andrews, Glen; Hamley, Peter J.; Mallinder, Philip R.; Nicholls, David J.; St-Gallay, Stephen A.; Tinker, Alan C.; Gensmantel, Nigel P.; Mete, Antonio; Cheshire, David R.; Connolly, Stephen; Stuehr, Dennis J.; Åberg, Anders; Wallace, Alan V.; Tainer, John A.; Getzoff, Elizabeth D.

    2008-01-01

    Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes synthesize nitric oxide, a signal for vasodilatation and neurotransmission at low levels, and a defensive cytotoxin at higher levels. The high active-site conservation among all three NOS isozymes hinders the design of selective NOS inhibitors to treat inflammation, arthritis, stroke, septic shock, and cancer. Our structural and mutagenesis results identified an isozyme-specific induced-fit binding mode linking a cascade of conformational changes to a novel specificity pocket. Plasticity of an isozyme-specific triad of distant second- and third-shell residues modulates conformational changes of invariant first-shell residues to determine inhibitor selectivity. To design potent and selective NOS inhibitors, we developed the anchored plasticity approach: anchor an inhibitor core in a conserved binding pocket, then extend rigid bulky substituents towards remote specificity pockets, accessible upon conformational changes of flexible residues. This approach exemplifies general principles for the design of selective enzyme inhibitors that overcome strong active-site conservation. PMID:18849972

  8. Nitric oxide, PKC-ε, and connexin43 are crucial for ischemic preconditioning-induced chemical gap junction uncoupling

    PubMed Central

    Sun, Tao; Hao, Li; Lin, Ming-Jie; Zhong, Jing-Quan

    2016-01-01

    Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) maintains connexin43 (Cx43) phosphorylation and reduces chemical gap junction (GJ) coupling in cardiomyocytes to protect against ischemic damage. However, the signal transduction pathways underlying these effects are not fully understood. Here, we investigated whether nitric oxide (NO) and protein kinase C-ε (PKC-ε) contribute to IPC-induced cardioprotection by maintaining Cx43 phosphorylation and inhibiting chemical GJ coupling. IPC reduced ischemia-induced myocardial infarction and increased cardiomyocyte survival; phosphorylated Cx43, eNOS, and PKC-ε levels; and chemical GJ uncoupling. Administration of the NO donor SNAP mimicked the effects of IPC both in vivo and in vitro, maintaining Cx43 phosphorylation, promoting chemical GJ uncoupling, and reducing myocardial infarction. Preincubation with the NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME or PKC-ε translocation inhibitory peptide (PKC-ε-TIP) abolished these effects of IPC. Additionally, by inducing NO production, IPC induced translocation of PKC-ε, but not PKC-δ, from the cytosolic to the membrane fraction in primary cardiac myocytes. IPC-induced cardioprotection thus involves increased NO production, PKC-ε translocation, Cx43 phosphorylation, and chemical GJ uncoupling. PMID:27655723

  9. Nitric oxide mediates angiogenesis induced in vivo by platelet-activating factor and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

    PubMed Central

    Montrucchio, G.; Lupia, E.; de Martino, A.; Battaglia, E.; Arese, M.; Tizzani, A.; Bussolino, F.; Camussi, G.

    1997-01-01

    We evaluated the role of an endogenous production of nitric oxide (NO) in the in vitro migration of endothelial cells and in the in vivo angiogenic response elicited by platelet-activating factor (PAF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The NO synthase inhibitor, N omega-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME), but not its enantiomer D-NAME, prevented chemotaxis of endothelial cells induced in vitro by PAF and by TNF. The motogenic activity of TNF was also inhibited by WEB 2170, a specific PAF-receptor antagonist. In contrast, chemotaxis induced by bFGF was not prevented by L-NAME or by WEB 2170. Angiogenesis was studied in vivo in a murine model in which Matrigel was used as a vehicle for the delivery of mediators. In this model, the angiogenesis induced by PAF and TNF was inhibited by WEB 2170 and L-NAME but not by D-NAME. In contrast, angiogenesis induced by bFGF was not affected by L-NAME or by WEB 2170. TNF, but not bFGF, induced PAF synthesis within Matrigel. These results suggest that NO mediates the angiogenesis induced by PAF as well as that induced by TNF, which is dependent on the production of PAF. In contrast, the angiogenic effect of bFGF appears to be both PAF and NO independent. Images Figure 3 Figure 4 PMID:9250168

  10. Ginsenoside Rg3 increases nitric oxide production via increases in phosphorylation and expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase: Essential roles of estrogen receptor-dependent PI3-kinase and AMP-activated protein kinase

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hien, Tran Thi; Kim, Nak Doo; Pokharel, Yuba Raj

    2010-08-01

    We previously showed that ginsenosides increase nitric oxide (NO) production in vascular endothelium and that ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) is the most active one among ginseng saponins. However, the mechanism for Rg3-mediated nitric oxide production is still uncertain. In this study, we determined whether Rg3 affects phosphorylation and expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in ECV 304 human endothelial cells. Rg3 increased both the phosphorylation and the expression of eNOS in a concentration-dependent manner and a maximal effect was found at 10 {mu}g/ml of Rg3. The enzyme activities of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 kinase weremore » enhanced as were estrogen receptor (ER)- and glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-dependent reporter gene transcriptions in Rg3-treated endothelial cells. Rg3-induced eNOS phosphorylation required the ER-mediated PI3-kinase/Akt pathway. Moreover, Rg3 activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) through up-regulation of CaM kinase II and Rg3-stimulated eNOS phosphorylation was reversed by AMPK inhibition. The present results provide a mechanism for Rg3-stimulated endothelial NO production.« less

  11. Pharmacological and biochemical studies on protective effects of mangiferin and its interaction with nitric oxide (NO) modulators in adjuvant-induced changes in arthritic parameters, inflammatory, and oxidative biomarkers in rats.

    PubMed

    Pal, Rishi; Chaudhary, Manju J; Tiwari, Prafulla Chandra; Nath, Rajendra; Pant, Kamlesh Kumar

    2018-06-22

    Current study was designed to evaluate protective effect of mangiferin and its interaction with low dose of nitric oxide (NO) modulators in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) inoculated rats. Male wistar rats (200-300 g, n = 8 per group) were used in the study. On day ''0'' of study arthritis was induced in rats by injecting 0.2 ml CFA in sub-planter region of right hind paw of animals. Treatment with methotrexate (5 mg/kg), mangiferin (10-30 mg/kg) alone and in combination with NO modulators was given (i.p.) from days 14 to 28. After 28 days, blood and joint synovial fluid was collected for biochemical analysis and rat paws were excised to estimate MDA and SOD in tissue (paw) homogenates. CFA inoculation significantly increases (1) arthritic index, (2) ankle diameter, (3) paw volume, and (4) serum TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and synovial TNF-α levels (p < 0.001). The serum Th 1 (IFN-γ) and Th 2 (IL-4) cytokine levels, MDA levels in rat paw tissue homogenates and serum NF-κB levels were also found significantly increased. Significant decrease in serum IL-10 levels and SOD activity was found after CFA inoculation. These CFA-induced arthritic changes, cytokine profile, and oxidative stress markers were significantly reversed by mangiferin (10-30 mg/kg) treatment alone and in combination with L-arginine and L-NAME nitric oxide modulators (p < 0.05). Treatment with methotrexate (5 mg/kg) also significantly reversed these adjuvant changes (p < 0.05). However, effect of methotrexate was less marked as compared to mangiferin (30 mg/kg) alone and in combination with L-NAME (10 mg/kg), but was comparable or slightly better than mangiferin (10 and 20 mg/kg). Thus, on the basis of our findings, we can suggest that interaction of mangiferin with nitric oxide modulators may have therapeutic value for chronic inflammatory disease such as RA.

  12. Reproductive tissue regression: involvement of caspases, inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide during moulting in White Leghorn hens.

    PubMed

    Anish, D; Sastry, K V H; Sundaresan, N R; Saxena, V K; Singh, R; Mohan, J

    2008-03-03

    Moulting is a natural physiological process where the reproductive system of birds undergoes complete remodeling in preparation for the next laying cycle. In domestic chickens, moulting is artificially induced by feed withdrawal to recycle the old laying flock for best profit margins. This has received severe criticism from animal welfare organizations, forcing several countries to stop this practice. Several alternative methods to feed withdrawal methods were developed but were found to produce inconsistent results. Understanding the actual mechanism of moulting would help in designing a new animal welfare friendly method. The present investigation attempted to study the molecular mechanism of moulting in White Leghorn hens. Eighty-four layers (75 weeks) were divided into two groups. The birds in the first group were subjected to moulting by feed withdrawal (FW) while the other group received high dietary Zn (ZnF) treatment for 10 days. Six birds from each group were sacrificed on 0, 1-4, 6 and 10 days of moulting and mRNA expression of caspases-1, -2 and iNOS, along with the apoptotic ladder pattern and nitric oxide (NO) in the ovary and oviduct, was investigated. The mRNA expression of iNOS was upregulated with a corresponding increase in NO levels. Caspases-1 and -2 were differentially upregulated in the ovary and oviduct of moulted birds. A constant decline in serum estradiol and progesterone levels was also observed. It can be concluded that the pattern of reproductive regression during moulting by the two methods is different, as the expression of genes studied in the present investigation is different.

  13. Oleic Acid–Dependent Modulation of NITRIC OXIDE ASSOCIATED1 Protein Levels Regulates Nitric Oxide–Mediated Defense Signaling in Arabidopsis[C][W

    PubMed Central

    Mandal, Mihir Kumar; Chandra-Shekara, A.C.; Jeong, Rae-Dong; Yu, Keshun; Zhu, Shifeng; Chanda, Bidisha; Navarre, Duroy; Kachroo, Aardra; Kachroo, Pradeep

    2012-01-01

    The conserved cellular metabolites nitric oxide (NO) and oleic acid (18:1) are well-known regulators of disease physiologies in diverse organism. We show that NO production in plants is regulated via 18:1. Reduction in 18:1 levels, via a genetic mutation in the 18:1-synthesizing gene SUPPRESSOR OF SA INSENSITIVITY OF npr1-5 (SSI2) or exogenous application of glycerol, induced NO accumulation. Furthermore, both NO application and reduction in 18:1 induced the expression of similar sets of nuclear genes. The altered defense signaling in the ssi2 mutant was partially restored by a mutation in NITRIC OXIDE ASSOCIATED1 (NOA1) and completely restored by double mutations in NOA1 and either of the nitrate reductases. Biochemical studies showed that 18:1 physically bound NOA1, in turn leading to its degradation in a protease-dependent manner. In concurrence, overexpression of NOA1 did not promote NO-derived defense signaling in wild-type plants unless 18:1 levels were lowered. Subcellular localization showed that NOA1 and the 18:1 synthesizing SSI2 proteins were present in close proximity within the nucleoids of chloroplasts. Indeed, pathogen-induced or low-18:1-induced accumulation of NO was primarily detected in the chloroplasts and their nucleoids. Together, these data suggest that 18:1 levels regulate NO synthesis, and, thereby, NO-mediated signaling, by regulating NOA1 levels. PMID:22492810

  14. Effect of a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor on endotoxin-induced pulmonary dysfunction in awake sheep.

    PubMed

    Kuratomi, Y; Lefferts, P L; Christman, B W; Parker, R E; Smith, W G; Mueller, R A; Snapper, J R

    1993-02-01

    We studied the effects of a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, SC-45662, on endotoxin-induced pulmonary dysfunction in chronically instrumented unanesthetized sheep. Each sheep was studied with endotoxin alone, SC-45662 alone, and endotoxin after SC-45662 pretreatment. Endotoxin did not cause consistent increases in plasma or lung lymph concentrations of leukotriene B4 (LTB4). Ex vivo stimulation of whole blood from sheep before and after treatment with SC-45662 demonstrated no inhibition of cyclooxygenase metabolism but an approximately 80% inhibition of LTB4 production. At drug concentrations obtained in vivo, SC-45662 did not significantly inhibit in vitro A23187-stimulated whole blood thromboxane B2 production but did inhibit LTB4 production from ionophore-stimulated sheep granulocytes. SC-45662 attenuated the early changes in lung mechanics and pulmonary hypertension but did not attenuate the later increase in lung fluid and solute exchange observed after endotoxemia. We conclude that 5-lipoxygenase products are not measurably involved in the later increase in lung fluid and solute exchange observed after endotoxemia in sheep.

  15. Hyposmotic stimulation-induced nitric oxide production in outer hair cells of the guinea pig cochlea.

    PubMed

    Takeda-Nakazawa, Hiroko; Harada, Narinobu; Shen, Jing; Kubo, Nobuo; Zenner, Hans-Peter; Yamashita, Toshio

    2007-08-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) production during hyposmotic stimulation in outer hair cells (OHCs) of the guinea pig cochlea was investigated using the NO sensitive dye DAF-2. Simultaneous measurement of the cell length and NO production showed rapid hyposmotic-induced cell swelling to precede NO production in OHCs. Hyposmotic stimulation failed to induce NO production in the Ca2+-free solution. L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a non-specific NO synthase inhibitor and gadolinium, a stretch-activated channel blocker inhibited the hyposmotic stimulation-induced NO production whereas suramin, a P2 receptor antagonist did not. S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), a NO donor inhibited the hyposmotic stimulation-induced increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) while L-NAME enhanced it. 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazole[4,3a]quinoxalin-1-one, an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase and KT5823, an inhibitor of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) mimicked effects of L-NAME on the Ca2+ response. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), an osmo- and mechanosensitive channel was expressed in the OHCs by means of immunohistochemistry. 4alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, a TRPV4 synthetic activator, induced NO production in OHCs. These results suggest that hyposmotic stimulation can induce NO production by the [Ca2+]i increase, which is presumably mediated by the activation of TRPV4 in OHCs. NO conversely inhibits the Ca2+ response via the NO-cGMP-PKG pathway by a feedback mechanism.

  16. Hyposmotic stimulation-induced nitric oxide production in outer hair cells of the guinea pig cochlea.

    PubMed

    Takeda-Nakazawa, Hiroko; Harada, Narinobu; Shen, Jing; Kubo, Nobuo; Zenner, Hans-Peter; Yamashita, Toshio

    2007-05-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) production during hyposmotic stimulation in outer hair cells (OHCs) of the guinea pig cochlea was investigated using the NO sensitive dye DAF-2. Simultaneous measurement of the cell length and NO production showed rapid hyposmotic-induced cell swelling to precede NO production in OHCs. Hyposmotic stimulation failed to induce NO production in the Ca(2+)-free solution. L-N(G)-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a non-specific NO synthase inhibitor and gadolinium, a stretch-activated channel blocker inhibited the hyposmotic stimulation-induced NO production whereas suramin, a P2 receptor antagonist did not. S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), a NO donor inhibited the hyposmotic stimulation-induced increase in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) while L-NAME enhanced it. 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazole[4,3a]quinoxalin-1-one, an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase and KT5823, an inhibitor of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) mimicked effects of L-NAME on the Ca(2+) response. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), an osmo- and mechanosensitive channel was expressed in the OHCs by means of immunohistochemistry. 4alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, a TRPV4 synthetic activator, induced NO production in OHCs. These results suggest that hyposmotic stimulation can induce NO production by the [Ca(2+)](i) increase, which is presumably mediated by the activation of TRPV4 in OHCs. NO conversely inhibits the Ca(2+) response via the NO-cGMP-PKG pathway by a feedback mechanism.

  17. Role of oxidative stress and nitric oxide in atherothrombosis

    PubMed Central

    Lubos, Edith; Handy, Diane E.; Loscalzo, Joseph

    2008-01-01

    During the last decade basic and clinical research has highlighted the central role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cardiovascular disease. Enhanced production or attenuated degradation of ROS leads to oxidative stress, a process that affects endothelial and vascular function, and contributes to vascular disease. Nitric oxide (NO), a product of the normal endothelium, is a principal determinant of normal endothelial and vascular function. In states of inflammation, NO production by the vasculature increases considerably and, in conjunction with other ROS, contributes to oxidative stress. This review examines the role of oxidative stress and NO in mechanisms of endothelial and vascular dysfunction with an emphasis on atherothrombosis. PMID:18508590

  18. Thalidomide ameliorates portal hypertension via nitric oxide synthase independent reduced systolic blood pressure

    PubMed Central

    Theodorakis, Nicholas G; Wang, Yining N; Korshunov, Vyacheslav A; Maluccio, Mary A; Skill, Nicholas J

    2015-01-01

    AIM: Portal hypertension is a common complication of liver cirrhosis and significantly increases mortality and morbidity. Previous reports have suggested that the compound thalidomide attenuates portal hypertension (PHT). However, the mechanism for this action is not fully elucidated. One hypothesis is that thalidomide destabilizes tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) mRNA and therefore diminishes TNFα induction of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and the production of nitric oxide (NO). To examine this hypothesis, we utilized the murine partial portal vein ligation (PVL) PHT model in combination with endothelial or inducible NOS isoform gene knockout mice. METHODS: Wild type, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-/- and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-/- mice received either PVL or sham surgery and were given either thalidomide or vehicle. Serum nitrate (total nitrate, NOx) was measured daily for 7 d as a surrogate of NO synthesis. Serum TNFα level was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. TNFα mRNA was quantified in liver and aorta tissue by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. PHT was determined by recording splenic pulp pressure (SPP) and abdominal aortic flow after 0-7 d. Response to thalidomide was determined by measurement of SPP and mean arterial pressure (MAP). RESULTS: SPP, abdominal aortic flow (Qao) and plasma NOx were increased in wild type and iNOS-/- PVL mice when compared to sham operated control mice. In contrast, SPP, Qao and plasma NOx were not increased in eNOS-/- PVL mice when compared to sham controls. Serum TNFα level in both sham and PVL mice was below the detection limit of the commercial ELISA used. Therefore, the effect of thalidomide on serum TNFα levels was undetermined in wild type, eNOS-/- or iNOS-/- mice. Thalidomide acutely increased plasma NOx in wild type and eNOS-/- mice but not iNOS-/- mice. Moreover, thalidomide temporarily (0-90 min) decreased mean arterial pressure, SPP and Qao in wild type, e

  19. Thalidomide ameliorates portal hypertension via nitric oxide synthase independent reduced systolic blood pressure.

    PubMed

    Theodorakis, Nicholas G; Wang, Yining N; Korshunov, Vyacheslav A; Maluccio, Mary A; Skill, Nicholas J

    2015-04-14

    Portal hypertension is a common complication of liver cirrhosis and significantly increases mortality and morbidity. Previous reports have suggested that the compound thalidomide attenuates portal hypertension (PHT). However, the mechanism for this action is not fully elucidated. One hypothesis is that thalidomide destabilizes tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) mRNA and therefore diminishes TNFα induction of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and the production of nitric oxide (NO). To examine this hypothesis, we utilized the murine partial portal vein ligation (PVL) PHT model in combination with endothelial or inducible NOS isoform gene knockout mice. Wild type, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)(-/-) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)(-/-) mice received either PVL or sham surgery and were given either thalidomide or vehicle. Serum nitrate (total nitrate, NOx) was measured daily for 7 d as a surrogate of NO synthesis. Serum TNFα level was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. TNFα mRNA was quantified in liver and aorta tissue by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. PHT was determined by recording splenic pulp pressure (SPP) and abdominal aortic flow after 0-7 d. Response to thalidomide was determined by measurement of SPP and mean arterial pressure (MAP). SPP, abdominal aortic flow (Qao) and plasma NOx were increased in wild type and iNOS(-/-) PVL mice when compared to sham operated control mice. In contrast, SPP, Qao and plasma NOx were not increased in eNOS(-/-) PVL mice when compared to sham controls. Serum TNFα level in both sham and PVL mice was below the detection limit of the commercial ELISA used. Therefore, the effect of thalidomide on serum TNFα levels was undetermined in wild type, eNOS(-/-) or iNOS(-/-) mice. Thalidomide acutely increased plasma NOx in wild type and eNOS(-/-) mice but not iNOS(-/-) mice. Moreover, thalidomide temporarily (0-90 min) decreased mean arterial pressure, SPP and Qao in wild type, e

  20. Arginine affects appetite via nitric oxide in ducks.

    PubMed

    Wang, C; Hou, S S; Huang, W; Xu, T S; Rong, G H; Xie, M

    2014-08-01

    The objective of the study was to investigate the mechanism by which arginine regulates feed intake in Pekin ducks. In experiment 1, one hundred forty-four 1-d-old male Pekin ducks were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments with 6 replicate pens of 8 birds per pen. Birds in each group were fed a corn-corn gluten meal diet containing 0.65, 0.95, and 1.45% arginine. Ducks fed the diet containing 0.65% arginine had lower feed intake and plasma nitric oxide level (P < 0.05) than the other 2 groups. In experiment 2, twenty 11-d-old ducks were allotted to 1 of 2 treatments. After 2 h fasting, birds in the 2 groups were intraperitoneally administrated saline and l-NG-nitro-arginine methyl ester HCl (L-NAME) for 3 d, respectively. Feed intake (P < 0.07) and plasma nitric oxide concentration (P < 0.05) 2 h postinjection in the L-NAME administered group were lower than those of the control group. In conclusion, the study implied that arginine modifies feeding behavior possibly through controlling endogenous synthesis of nitric oxide in Pekin ducks. © Poultry Science Association Inc.

  1. NITRIC OXIDE, MITOCHONDRIAL HYPERPOLARIZATION AND T-CELL ACTIVATION

    PubMed Central

    Nagy, Gyorgy; Koncz, Agnes; Fernandez, David; Perl, Andras

    2007-01-01

    T lymphocyte activation is associated with nitric oxide (NO) production that plays an essential role in multiple T cell functions. NO acts as a messenger, activating soluble guanyl cyclase and participating in the transduction signaling pathways involving cyclic GMP. NO modulates mitochondrial events that are involved in apoptosis and regulates mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial biogenesis in many cell types, including lymphocytes. Mitochondrial hyperpolarization (MHP), an early and reversible event during both T lymphocyte activation and apoptosis, is regulated by NO. Here, we discuss recent evidence that NO-induced MHP represents a molecular switch in multiple T cell signaling pathways. Overproduction of NO in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) induces mitochondrial biogenesis and alters Ca2+ signaling. Thus, while NO plays a physiological role in lymphocyte cell signaling, its overproduction may disturb normal T cell function, contributing to the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. PMID:17462531

  2. Nitric-oxide supplementation for treatment of long-term complications in argininosuccinic aciduria

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Argininosuccinate lyase (ASL) is required for the synthesis and channeling of L-arginine to nitric oxide synthase (NOS) for nitric oxide (NO) production. Congenital ASL deficiency causes argininosuccinic aciduria (ASA), the second most common urea cycle disorder, and leads to deficiency of both urea...

  3. Pasteurella haemolytica A1-Derived Leukotoxin and Endotoxin Induce Intracellular Calcium Elevation in Bovine Alveolar Macrophages by Different Signaling Pathways

    PubMed Central

    Hsuan, S. L.; Kannan, M. S.; Jeyaseelan, S.; Prakash, Y. S.; Sieck, G. C.; Maheswaran, S. K.

    1998-01-01

    Leukotoxin and endotoxin derived from Pasteurella haemolytica serotype 1 are the primary virulence factors contributing to the pathogenesis of lung injury in bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis. Activation of bovine alveolar macrophages with endotoxin or leukotoxin results in the induction of cytokine gene expression, with different kinetics (H. S. Yoo, S. K. Maheswaran, G. Lin, E. L. Townsend, and T. R. Ames, Infect. Immun. 63:381–388, 1995; H. S. Yoo, B. S. Rajagopal, S. K. Maheswaran, and T. R. Ames, Microb. Pathog. 18:237–252, 1995). Furthermore, extracellular Ca2+ is required for leukotoxin-induced cytokine gene expression. However, the involvement of Ca2+ in endotoxin effects and the precise signaling mechanisms in the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ by leukotoxin and endotoxin are not known. In fura-2-acetoxymethyl ester-loaded alveolar macrophages, intracellular Ca2+ regulation by leukotoxin and endotoxin was studied by video fluorescence microscopy. Leukotoxin induced a sustained elevation of intracellular Ca2+ in a concentration-dependent fashion by influx of extracellular Ca2+ through voltage-gated channels. In the presence of fetal bovine serum, endotoxin elevated intracellular Ca2+ even in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Leukotoxin-induced intracellular Ca2+ elevation was inhibited by pertussis toxin, inhibitors of phospholipases A2 and C, and the arachidonic acid analog 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid. Intracellular Ca2+ elevation by endotoxin was inhibited by inhibitors of phospholipase C and protein tyrosine kinase, but not by pertussis toxin, or the arachidonic acid analog. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Ca2+ signaling by leukotoxin through a G-protein-coupled mechanism involving activation of phospholipases A2 and C and release of arachidonic acid in bovine alveolar macrophages. Ca2+ signaling by endotoxin, on the other hand, involves activation of phospholipase C and requires tyrosine phosphorylation. The

  4. Pasteurella haemolytica A1-derived leukotoxin and endotoxin induce intracellular calcium elevation in bovine alveolar macrophages by different signaling pathways.

    PubMed

    Hsuan, S L; Kannan, M S; Jeyaseelan, S; Prakash, Y S; Sieck, G C; Maheswaran, S K

    1998-06-01

    Leukotoxin and endotoxin derived from Pasteurella haemolytica serotype 1 are the primary virulence factors contributing to the pathogenesis of lung injury in bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis. Activation of bovine alveolar macrophages with endotoxin or leukotoxin results in the induction of cytokine gene expression, with different kinetics (H. S. Yoo, S. K. Maheswaran, G. Lin, E. L. Townsend, and T. R. Ames, Infect. Immun. 63:381-388, 1995; H. S. Yoo, B. S. Rajagopal, S. K. Maheswaran, and T. R. Ames, Microb. Pathog. 18:237-252, 1995). Furthermore, extracellular Ca2+ is required for leukotoxin-induced cytokine gene expression. However, the involvement of Ca2+ in endotoxin effects and the precise signaling mechanisms in the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ by leukotoxin and endotoxin are not known. In fura-2-acetoxymethyl ester-loaded alveolar macrophages, intracellular Ca2+ regulation by leukotoxin and endotoxin was studied by video fluorescence microscopy. Leukotoxin induced a sustained elevation of intracellular Ca2+ in a concentration-dependent fashion by influx of extracellular Ca2+ through voltage-gated channels. In the presence of fetal bovine serum, endotoxin elevated intracellular Ca2+ even in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Leukotoxin-induced intracellular Ca2+ elevation was inhibited by pertussis toxin, inhibitors of phospholipases A2 and C, and the arachidonic acid analog 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid. Intracellular Ca2+ elevation by endotoxin was inhibited by inhibitors of phospholipase C and protein tyrosine kinase, but not by pertussis toxin, or the arachidonic acid analog. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Ca2+ signaling by leukotoxin through a G-protein-coupled mechanism involving activation of phospholipases A2 and C and release of arachidonic acid in bovine alveolar macrophages. Ca2+ signaling by endotoxin, on the other hand, involves activation of phospholipase C and requires tyrosine phosphorylation. The differences in

  5. Reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide are involved in polyamine-induced growth inhibition in wheat plants.

    PubMed

    Recalde, Laura; Vázquez, Analía; Groppa, María D; Benavides, María Patricia

    2018-03-06

    Polyamines (PAs) produce H 2 O 2 and nitric oxide (NO) during their normal catabolism and modulate plant growth and development. To explore the biochemical basis of PAs-induced growth inhibition in Triticum aestivum L seedlings, we examined the role of O 2 ·- , H 2 O 2 or NO in shoot and root development. Although all PA treatments resulted in a variable reduction of root and shoot elongation, spermine (Spm) caused the greater inhibition in a similar way to that observed with the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP). In both cases, O 2 ·- production was completely blocked whereas H 2 O 2 formation was high in the root apex under SNP or Spm treatments. Catalase recovered root and shoot growth in SNP but not in Spm-treated plants, revealing the involvement of H 2 O 2 in SNP-root length reduction. The addition of the NO scavenger, cPTIO, restored root length in SNP- or Spm-treated plants, respectively, and partially recovered O 2 ·- levels, compared to the plants exposed to PAs or SNP without cPTIO. A strong correlation was observed between root growth restoration and O 2 ·- accumulation after treating roots with SNP + aminoguanidine, a diamine oxidase inhibitor, and with SNP + 1,8-diaminoctane, a polyamine oxidase inhibitor, confirming the essential role of O 2 ·- formation for root growth and the importance of the origin and level of H 2 O 2 . The differential modulation of wheat growth by PAs through reactive oxygen species or NO is discussed. Graphical abstract Polyamines, nitric oxide and ROS interaction in plants during plant growth.

  6. Intermittent hydrostatic pressure inhibits shear stress-induced nitric oxide release in human osteoarthritic chondrocytes in vitro.

    PubMed

    Lee, Mel S; Trindade, Michael C D; Ikenoue, Takashi; Schurman, David J; Goodman, Stuart B; Smith, R Lane

    2003-02-01

    To test the effects of intermittent hydrostatic pressure (IHP) on nitric oxide (NO) release induced by shear stress and matrix macromolecule gene expression in human osteoarthritic chondrocytes in vitro. Chondrocytes isolated from cartilage samples from 9 patients with osteoarthritis were cultured and exposed to either shear stress or an NO donor. Nitrite concentration was measured using the Griess reaction. Matrix macromolecule mRNA signal levels were determined using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and quantified by imaging analysis software. Exposure to shear stress upregulated NO release in a dose and time-dependent manner. Application of IHP inhibited shear stress induced NO release but did not alter NO release from chondrocytes not exposed to shear stress. Shear stress induced NO or addition of an NO donor (sodium nitroprusside) was associated with decreased mRNA signal levels for the cartilage matrix proteins, aggrecan, and type II collagen. Intermittent hydrostatic pressure blocked the inhibitory effects of sodium nitroprusside but did not alter the inhibitory effects of shear stress on cartilage macromolecule gene expression. Our data show that shear stress and IHP differentially alter chondrocyte metabolism and suggest that a balance of effects between different loading forces preserve cartilage extracellular matrix in vivo.

  7. Chemical kinetic models for combustion of hydrocarbons and formation of nitric oxide

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jachimowski, C. J.; Wilson, C. H.

    1980-01-01

    The formation of nitrogen oxides NOx during combustion of methane, propane, and a jet fuel, JP-4, was investigated in a jet stirred combustor. The results of the experiments were interpreted using reaction models in which the nitric oxide (NO) forming reactions were coupled to the appropriate hydrocarbon combustion reaction mechanisms. Comparison between the experimental data and the model predictions reveals that the CH + N2 reaction process has a significant effect on NO formation especially in stoichiometric and fuel rich mixtures. Reaction models were assembled that predicted nitric oxide levels that were in reasonable agreement with the jet stirred combustor data and with data obtained from a high pressure (5.9 atm (0.6 MPa)), prevaporized, premixed, flame tube type combustor. The results also suggested that the behavior of hydrocarbon mixtures, like JP-4, may not be significantly different from that of pure hydrocarbons. Application of the propane combustion and nitric oxide formation model to the analysis of NOx emission data reported for various aircraft gas turbines showed the contribution of the various nitric oxide forming processes to the total NOx formed.

  8. Nitric Oxide Mediates Glutamate-Linked Enhancement of cGMP Levels in the Cerebellum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bredt, David S.; Snyder, Solomon H.

    1989-11-01

    Nitric oxide, which mediates influences of numerous neurotransmitters and modulators on vascular smooth muscle and leukocytes, can be formed in the brain from arginine by an enzymatic activity that stoichiometrically generates citrulline. We show that glutamate and related amino acids, such as N-methyl-D-aspartate, markedly stimulate arginine-citrulline transformation in cerebellar slices stoichiometrically with enhancement of cGMP levels. Nω-monomethyl-L-arginine blocks the augmentation both of citrulline and cGMP with identical potencies. Arginine competitively reverses both effects of Nω-monomethyl-L-arginine with the same potencies. Hemoglobin, which complexes nitric oxide, prevents the stimulation by N-methyl-D-aspartate of cGMP levels, and superoxide dismutase, which elevates nitric oxide levels, increases cGMP formation. These data establish that nitric oxide mediates the stimulation by glutamate of cGMP formation.

  9. The extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer EMMPRIN is a target of nitric oxide in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion.

    PubMed

    Tarin, Carlos; Lavin, Begoña; Gomez, Monica; Saura, Marta; Diez-Juan, Antonio; Zaragoza, Carlos

    2011-07-15

    Nitric oxide (NO) is an important defense against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Although matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-mediated necrosis of cardiac myocytes is well characterized, the role of inducible NO synthase (iNOS)-derived NO in this process is poorly understood. I/R injury was increased in iNOS-deficient mice and in mice treated with 1400 W (a pharmacological iNOS inhibitor) and was associated with significantly increased expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) and EMMPRIN-associated MMPs. Transcriptional activity of an EMMPRIN luciferase promoter reporter expressed in cardiac myocytes was inhibited by NO in a cGMP-dependent manner, and this transcriptional inhibition was abolished by mutation of a putative E2F site. Consistent with these findings, EMMPRIN null mice, in which iNOS is normally induced, are partially protected against I/R injury. Pharmacological inhibition of iNOS in EMMPRIN null mice had no additional protective effect, suggesting that EMMPRIN is a downstream target of NO. Administration of anti-EMMPRIN neutralizing antibodies partly reduced the excess heart damage and MMP-9 expression induced by I/R in iNOS null mice, indicating that regulation of EMMPRIN is an important mechanism of NO-mediated cardioprotection. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. Peroxynitrite induces destruction of the tetrahydrobiopterin and heme in endothelial nitric oxide synthase: transition from reversible to irreversible enzyme inhibition†

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Weiguo; Druhan, Lawrence J.; Chen, Chun-An; Hemann, Craig; Chen, Yeong-Renn; Berka, Vladimir; Tsai, Ah-Lim; Zweier, Jay L.

    2010-01-01

    Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is an important regulator of vascular and cardiac function. Peroxynitrite (ONOO−) inactivates eNOS, but questions remain regarding the mechanisms of this process. It has been reported that inactivation is due to oxidation of the eNOS zinc-thiolate cluster, rather than the cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4); however, this remains highly controversial. Therefore, we investigated the mechanisms of ONOO−-induced eNOS dysfunction and their dose-dependence. Exposure of human eNOS to ONOO− resulted in a dose-dependent loss of activity with a marked destabilization of the eNOS dimer. HPLC analysis indicated that both free and eNOS-bound BH4 were oxidized during exposure to ONOO−; however, full oxidation of protein bound biopterin required higher ONOO− levels. Additionally, ONOO− triggered changes in UV/Visible spectrum and heme content of the enzyme. Pre-incubation of eNOS with BH4 decreased dimer destabilization and heme alteration. Addition of BH4 to the ONOO−-destabilized eNOS dimer only partially rescued enzyme function. In contrast to ONOO− treatment, incubation with the zinc chelator TPEN with removal of enzyme-bound zinc did not change the eNOS activity or stability of the SDS-resistant eNOS dimer, demonstrating that the dimer stabilization induced by BH4 does not require zinc occupancy of the zinc-thiolate cluster. While ONOO− treatment was observed to induce loss of Zn-binding this can not account for the loss of enzyme activity. Therefore, ONOO−-induced eNOS inactivation is primarily due to oxidation of BH4 and irreversible destruction of the heme/heme-center. PMID:20184376

  11. Neural crest development and craniofacial morphogenesis is coordinated by nitric oxide and histone acetylation

    PubMed Central

    Kong, Yawei; Grimaldi, Michael; Curtin, Eugene; Dougherty, Max; Kaufman, Charles; White, Richard M.; Zon, Leonard I.; Liao, Eric C.

    2015-01-01

    Cranial neural crest (CNC) cells are patterned and coalesce to facial prominences that undergo convergence and extension to generate the craniofacial form. We applied a chemical genetics approach to identify pathways that regulate craniofacial development during embryogenesis. Treatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor TRIM abrogated first pharyngeal arch structures and induced ectopic ceratobranchial formation. TRIM promoted a progenitor CNC fate and inhibited chondrogenic differentiation, which were mediated through impaired nitric oxide (NO) production without appreciable effect on global protein S-nitrosylation. Instead, TRIM perturbed hox gene patterning and caused histone hypoacetylation. Rescue of TRIM phenotype was achieved with over-expression of histone acetyltransferase kat6a, inhibition of histone deacetylase, and complimentary NO. These studies demonstrate that NO signaling and histone acetylation are coordinated mechanisms that regulate CNC patterning, differentiation and convergence during craniofacial morphogenesis. PMID:24684905

  12. Effect of thalidomide on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 cells.

    PubMed

    Park, Eunkyue; Levis, William R; Greig, Nigel; Jung, Euisun; Schuller-Levis, Georgia

    2010-04-01

    Thalidomide is anti-inflammatory under some conditions, yet has been reported to up-regulate Th1 (T helper 1) immunity measured by increased IL-2 (Interleukin-2) and gamma interferon. The authors have assessed the effect of thalidomide and analogues, di- and tri-thiothalidomide, on a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated macrophage cell line (RAW 246.7 cells). The authors' findings showed that nitric oxide (NO) was significantly inhibited by thalidomide (15%) and its analogues (di-thiothalidomide; 15%, tri-thiothalidomide; 32%). The proinflammatory molecules TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and IL-6 were not significantly inhibited. Pretreatment with thalidomide and analogues before activation was not different from simultaneous treatment. Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) may prove to be an important target for the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of thalidomide and related immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs).

  13. Transport stress induces heart damage in newly hatched chicks via blocking the cytoprotective heat shock response and augmenting nitric oxide production.

    PubMed

    Sun, F; Zuo, Y-Z; Ge, J; Xia, J; Li, X-N; Lin, J; Zhang, C; Xu, H-L; Li, J-L

    2018-04-20

    Transport stress affects the animal's metabolism and psychological state. As a pro-survival pathway, the heat shock response (HSR) protects healthy cells from stressors. However, it is unclear whether the HSR plays a role in transport stress-induced heart damage. To evaluate the effects of transport stress on heart damage and HSR protection, newly hatched chicks were treated with transport stress for 2 h, 4 h and 8 h. Transport stress caused decreases in body weight and increases in serum creatine kinase (CK) activity, nitric oxide (NO) content in heart tissue, cardiac nitric oxide syntheses (NOS) activity and NOS isoforms transcription. The mRNA expression of heat shock factors (HSFs, including HSF1-3) and heat shock proteins (HSPs, including HSP25, HSP40, HSP47, HSP60, HSP70, HSP90 and HSP110) in the heart of 2 h transport-treated chicks was upregulated. After 8 h of transport stress in chicks, the transcription levels of the same HSPs and HSF2 were reduced in the heart. It was also found that the changes in the HSP60, HSP70 and HSP90 protein levels had similar tendencies. These results suggested that transport stress augmented NO generation through enhancing the activity of NOS and the transcription of NOS isoforms. Therefore, this study provides new evidence that transport stress induces heart damage in the newly hatched chicks by blocking the cytoprotective HSR and augmenting NO production.

  14. Transactivation of inducible nitric oxide synthase gene by Kruppel-like factor 6 regulates apoptosis during influenza A virus infection

    PubMed Central

    Mgbemena, Victoria; Segovia, Jesus A.; Chang, Te-Hung; Tsai, Su-Yu; Cole, Garry T.; Hung, Chiung-Yu; Bose, Santanu

    2012-01-01

    Influenza A virus (flu) is a respiratory tract pathogen causing high morbidity and mortality among the human population. Nitric oxide (NO) is a cellular mediator involved in tissue damage due to apoptosis of target cells and resulting enhancement of local inflammation. Inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) is involved in the production of NO following infection. Although NO is a key player in the development of exaggerated lung disease during flu infection, the underlying mechanism including the role of NO in apoptosis during infection has not been reported. Similarly, the mechanism of iNOS gene induction during flu infection is not well defined in terms of host trans-activator(s) required for iNOS gene expression. In the current study we have identified kruppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) as a critical transcription factor essential for iNOS gene expression during flu infection. We have also underscored the requirement of iNOS in inducing apoptosis during infection. KLF6 gene silencing in human lung epithelial cells resulted in drastic loss of NO production, iNOS-promoter specific luciferase activity and expression of iNOS mRNA following flu infection. Chromatin immuno-precipitation assay revealed a direct interaction of KLF6 with iNOS promoter during both in vitro and in vivo flu infection of human lung cells and mouse respiratory tract, respectively. Significant reduction in flu mediated apoptosis was noted in KLF6 silenced cells, cells treated with iNOS inhibitor and in primary murine macrophages derived from iNOS knock-out (KO) mice. A similar reduction in apoptosis was noted in the lungs following intra-tracheal flu infection of iNOS KO mice. PMID:22711891

  15. Gender Difference in Bacteria Endotoxin-Induced Inflammatory and Anorexic Responses.

    PubMed

    Kuo, Shiu-Ming

    2016-01-01

    Inflammation-related anorexic response has been observed in systemic diseases as well as in localized infection and is an important issue in patient care. We tested the hypothesis that upon the same endotoxin exposure, males have more severe inflammatory responses and thus suffer from more negative effect on appetite. Ten-week old male and female mice were compared in their plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines after a body weight-based i.p. injection of bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide. Male mice consistently showed significantly higher levels of IL6 and TNFα than female mice. The difference was observed starting at 3 hours after the systemic endotoxin exposure. It was independent of the level of endotoxin dosage and of the genotype of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL10. Interestingly, endotoxin-injected male mice also had significantly higher plasma IL10 levels compared to the female mice. Pre-puberty young mice showed no gender differences in the plasma levels of IL6, TNFα and IL10. Their cytokine levels were mostly between that of the adult males and females. Consistent with the higher inflammatory response in male mice, the endotoxin exposure also led to significantly more appetite loss in male mice at a range of doses in two strains of mice. Saline injection in the absence of endotoxin affected neither the cytokine levels nor the appetite. Although a direct mechanistic link between inflammation parameters and appetite was not addressed here, the results support that male gender could be a risk factor for higher pro-inflammatory cytokines and anorexic response after the endotoxin exposure.

  16. Demystified … Nitric oxide

    PubMed Central

    Stuart-Smith, K

    2002-01-01

    The discovery of nitric oxide (NO) demonstrated that cells could communicate via the manufacture and local diffusion of an unstable lipid soluble molecule. Since the original demonstration of the vascular relaxant properties of endothelium derived NO, this fascinating molecule has been shown to have multiple, complex roles within many biological systems. This review cannot hope to cover all of the recent advances in NO biology, but seeks to place the discovery of NO in its historical context, and show how far our understanding has come in the past 20 years. The role of NO in mitochondrial respiration, and consequently in oxidative stress, is described in detail because these processes probably underline the importance of NO in the development of disease. PMID:12456772

  17. Role of nitric oxide in cellular iron metabolism.

    PubMed

    Kim, Sangwon; Ponka, Prem

    2003-03-01

    Iron regulatory proteins (IRP1 and IRP2) control the synthesis of transferrin receptors (TfR) and ferritin by binding to iron-responsive elements (IREs) which are located in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) and the 5' UTR of their respective mRNAs. Cellular iron levels affect binding of IRPs to IREs and consequently expression of TfR and ferritin. Moreover, NO*, a redox species of nitric oxide that interacts primarily with iron, can activate IRP1 RNA-binding activity resulting in an increase in TfR mRNA levels. We have shown that treatment of RAW 264.7 cells (a murine macrophage cell line) with NO+ (nitrosonium ion, which causes S-nitrosylation of thiol groups) resulted in a rapid decrease in RNA-binding of IRP2, followed by IRP2 degradation, and these changes were associated with a decrease in TfR mRNA levels. Moreover, we demonstrated that stimulation of RAW 264.7 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) increased IRP1 binding activity, whereas RNA-binding of IRP2 decreased and was followed by a degradation of this protein. Furthermore, the decrease of IRP2 binding/protein levels was associated with a decrease in TfR mRNA levels in LPS/IFN-gamma-treated cells, and these changes were prevented by inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide synthase. These results suggest that NO+-mediated degradation of IRP2 plays a major role in iron metabolism during inflammation.

  18. Influence of E. coli endotoxin on ACTH induced adrenal cell steroidogenesis.

    PubMed

    Garcia, R; Viloria, M D; Municio, A M

    1985-03-01

    The effect of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide from E. coli) on isolated adrenocortical cells was examined. Lipopolysaccharide decreased the ACTH-induced steroidogenesis. This effect was shown by all corticotropin concentrations studied, and the longer the incubation time, the higher the effect produced. The rate of decrease of ACTH-induced steroidogenesis was dependent on the concentration of lipopolysaccharide in the medium. Binding of [125I]ACTH to adrenocortical cells was modified by lipopolysaccharide; this modification was related to a decrease of the ACTH-induced steroidogenesis. This effect supports the hypothesis of a direct interaction between lipopolysaccharide and the cell membrane with a concomitant distortion of the cell surface affecting the ACTH receptor sites of their environment. [14C]Lipopolysaccharide binds to isolated adrenocortical cells. Binding specificity was investigated by competitive experiments in the presence of various types of endotoxins, polypeptide hormones and proteins. Unlabelled lipopolysaccharide from the same bacterial strain and isolated under identical conditions than the labelled lipopolysaccharide exerted the strongest inhibitory activity. Unlabelled lipopolysaccharide of various strains different from that originating the labelled lipopolysaccharide exerted the less displacement. It would imply a certain kind of specificity but the decrease in the binding of lipopolysaccharide produced by ACTH and glucagon suggests the existence of non-specific interactions between lipopolysaccharide and cell membrane.

  19. Nitric oxide secretion in human conjunctival fibroblasts is inhibited by alpha linolenic acid.

    PubMed

    Erdinest, Nir; Shohat, Noam; Moallem, Eli; Yahalom, Claudia; Mechoulam, Hadas; Anteby, Irene; Ovadia, Haim; Solomon, Abraham

    2015-01-01

    It is known that both human conjunctival fibroblasts (HCF) and corneal epithelial (HCE) cells contribute to the inflammatory process in the ocular surface by releasing inflammatory cytokines. In addition, nitric oxide (NO) has an important role in inflammatory responses in the ocular surface. In the present study, we aimed to characterize the capacity of these cells to release nitric oxide in response to cytokines and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and show that Alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) inhibits these responses. HCF, HCE cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and co-culture of HCF and PBMC were treated with different combinations of inflammatory inducers, including interleukin)IL- (6, tumor necrosis factors (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)- γ and IL-1β and LPS. Nitrite levels were measured in cell supernatants with and without ALA by the Griess reaction test at 24, 48 and 72 h respectively. Expression of nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS-2) was evaluated by real-time PCR. All cytokine combinations had an inducible effect on nitrite secretion in HCF, PBMC and co-cultured PBMC and HCF, but not in HCE cells. Treatment with a combination of IL-6, LPS, TNF-α, IFN- γ and IL-1β induced the highest nitrite secretion (2.91 fold, P < 0.01) as compared to cells incubated in medium alone. nitrite secretion was reduced by 38.9 % (P < 0.05) after treatment with ALA alone. Co-culturing PBMC with HCF with and without ALA treatment demonstrated similar results in nitrite level as,compared to PBMC alone. In addition, ALA significantly decreased NOS-2 expression in HCF by 48.9 % (P < 0. 001) after 72 h. The decrease in nitrite release and inhibition of NOS-2 expression indicate that ALA may have an anti-inflammatory effect both on HCF and on peripheral immune cells. This indicates that ALA may serve as a potent anti-inflammatory agent in ocular surface inflammation.

  20. Nitric oxide synthase generates nitric oxide locally to regulate compartmentalized protein S-nitrosylation and protein trafficking

    PubMed Central

    Iwakiri, Yasuko; Satoh, Ayano; Chatterjee, Suvro; Toomre, Derek K.; Chalouni, Cecile M.; Fulton, David; Groszmann, Roberto J.; Shah, Vijay H.; Sessa, William C.

    2006-01-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) is a highly diffusible and short-lived physiological messenger. Despite its diffusible nature, NO modifies thiol groups of specific cysteine residues in target proteins and alters protein function via S-nitrosylation. Although intracellular S-nitrosylation is a specific posttranslational modification, the defined localization of an NO source (nitric oxide synthase, NOS) with protein S-nitrosylation has never been directly demonstrated. Endothelial NOS (eNOS) is localized mainly on the Golgi apparatus and in plasma membrane caveolae. Here, we show by using eNOS targeted to either the Golgi or the nucleus that S-nitrosylation is concentrated at the primary site of eNOS localization. Furthermore, localization of eNOS on the Golgi enhances overall Golgi protein S-nitrosylation, the specific S-nitrosylation of N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor and reduces the speed of protein transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane in a reversible manner. These data indicate that local NOS action generates organelle-specific protein S-nitrosylation reactions that can regulate intracellular transport processes. PMID:17170139

  1. An ethanol extract of Piper betle Linn. mediates its anti-inflammatory activity via down-regulation of nitric oxide.

    PubMed

    Ganguly, Sudipto; Mula, Soumyaditya; Chattopadhyay, Subrata; Chatterjee, Mitali

    2007-05-01

    The leaves of Piper betle (locally known as Paan) have long been in use in the Indian indigenous system of medicine for the relief of pain; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this effect have not been elucidated. The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of an ethanolic extract of the leaves of P. betle (100 mg kg(-1); PB) were demonstrated in a complete Freund's adjuvant-induced model of arthritis in rats with dexamethasone (0.1 mg kg(-1)) as the positive control. At non-toxic concentrations of PB (5-25 microg mL(-1)), a dose-dependent decrease in extracellular production of nitric oxide in murine peritoneal macrophages was measured by the Griess assay and corroborated by flow cytometry using the nitric oxide specific probe, 4,5-diaminofluorescein-2 diacetate. This decreased generation of reactive nitrogen species was mediated by PB progressively down-regulating transcription of inducible nitric oxide synthase in macrophages, and concomitantly causing a dose-dependent decrease in the expression of interleukin-12 p40, indicating the ability of PB to down-regulate T-helper 1 pro-inflammatory responses. Taken together, the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthrotic activity of PB is attributable to its ability to down-regulate the generation of reactive nitrogen species, thus meriting further pharmacological investigation.

  2. Effect of postponed treatment with an anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) F(ab')2 fragment on endotoxin-induced cytokine and neutrophil responses in chimpanzees.

    PubMed Central

    van der Poll, T; Levi, M; ten Cate, H; Jansen, J; Biemond, B J; Haagmans, B L; Eerenberg, A; van Deventer, S J; Hack, C E; ten Cate, J W

    1995-01-01

    TNF is considered to be an intermediate factor in endotoxin-induced release of other cytokines and endotoxin-induced neutrophil degranulation. Little is known about the effect of postponed treatment with anti-TNF in primate endotoxin models. To assess the effect of delayed treatment with anti-TNF in endotoxaemia, six healthy adult chimpanzees were intravenously injected with Escherichia coli endotoxin (4 ng/kg). In three of these animals the administration of endotoxin was followed after 30 min by a bolus i.v. injection of the anti-TNF F(ab')2 fragment MAK 195F (0.1 mg/kg). Post-treatment with MAK 195F completely prevented the appearance of TNF activity in serum elicited by endotoxin, and markedly reduced the rises in the serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8. In addition, the endotoxin-induced increases in the type I and type II soluble TNF receptors were also profoundly inhibited by MAK 195F, suggesting that TNF is involved in the release of its own soluble receptors in endotoxaemia. Neutrophilic leucocytosis was not affected by MAK 195F. In contrast, MAK 195F did significantly abrogate neutrophil degranulation, as measured by the plasma concentrations of lactoferrin. These results indicate that treatment with anti-TNF 30 min after the administration of endotoxin is still effective in attenuating the induction of the cytokine network and of neutrophil degranulation. PMID:7697917

  3. Oxidized LDL at low concentration promotes in-vitro angiogenesis and activates nitric oxide synthase through PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway in human coronary artery endothelial cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Yu, Shan; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Wong, Siu Ling

    Research highlights: {yields} Low-concentration oxidized LDL enhances angiogenesis through nitric oxide (NO). {yields} Oxidized LDL increases intracellular NO levels via eNOS phosphorylation. {yields} Akt/PI3K signaling mediates oxidized LDL-induced eNOS phosphorylation. -- Abstract: It has long been considered that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) causes endothelial dysfunction and is remarkably related to the development of atherosclerosis. However, the effect of oxLDL at very low concentration (<10 {mu}g/ml) on the endothelial cells remains speculative. Nitric oxide (NO) has a crucial role in the endothelial cell function. In this study, we investigated the effect of oxLDL at low concentration on NO production and proliferation,more » migration, tube formation of the human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC). Results showed that oxLDL at 5 {mu}g/ml enhanced HCAEC proliferation, migration and tube formation. These phenomena were accompanied by an increased intracellular NO production. L-NAME (a NOS inhibitor), LY294002 and wortmannin (PI3K inhibitors) could abolish oxLDL-induced angiogenic effects and prevent NO production in the HCAEC. The phosphorylation of Akt, PI3K and eNOS were up-regulated by oxLDL, which was attenuated by LY294002. Our results suggested that oxLDL at low concentration could promote in-vitro angiogenesis and activate nitric oxide synthesis through PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway in HCAEC.« less

  4. Fumagillin Prodrug Nanotherapy Suppresses Macrophage Inflammatory Response via Endothelial Nitric Oxide

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    Antiangiogenesis has been extensively explored for the treatment of a variety of cancers and certain inflammatory processes. Fumagillin, a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus fumigatus that binds methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP-2), is a potent antiangiogenic agent. Native fumagillin, however, is poorly soluble and extremely unstable. We have developed a lipase-labile fumagillin prodrug (Fum-PD) that eliminated the photoinstability of the compound. Using αvβ3-integrin-targeted perfluorocarbon nanocarriers to deliver Fum-PD specifically to angiogenic vessels, we effectively suppressed clinical disease in an experimental model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The exact mechanism by which Fum-PD-loaded targeted nanoparticles suppressed inflammation in experimental RA, however, remained unexplained. We herein present evidence that Fum-PD nanotherapy indirectly suppresses inflammation in experimental RA through the local production of endothelial nitric oxide (NO). Fum-PD-induced NO activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which subsequently modulates macrophage inflammatory response. In vivo, NO-induced AMPK activation inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity and enhances autophagic flux, as evidenced by p62 depletion and increased autolysosome formation. Autophagy in turn mediates the degradation of IkappaB kinase (IKK), suppressing the NF-κB p65 signaling pathway and inflammatory cytokine release. Inhibition of NO production by NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, reverses the suppression of NF-κB-mediated inflammatory response induced by Fum-PD nanotherapy. These unexpected results uncover an activity of Fum-PD nanotherapy that may be further explored in the treatment of angiogenesis-dependent diseases. PMID:24941020

  5. Nitric oxide reversibly impairs axonal conduction in Guinea pig spinal cord.

    PubMed

    Ashki, Negin; Hayes, Keith C; Shi, Riyi

    2006-12-01

    Increased expression of the inducible and neuronal isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and elevated concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, are present within the central nervous system (CNS) following neurotrauma and are implicated in the pathogenesis of the accompanying neurologic deficits. We tested the hypothesis that elevated extracellular concentrations of NO introduced by the donor Spermine NONOate, induce reversible axonal conduction deficits in neurons of the guinea pig spinal cord. The compound action potential (CAP) and compound membrane potential (CMP) of excised ventral cord white matter were recorded before, during, and after bathing the tissue (30 min) in varying concentrations (0.25-3.0 mM) of Spermine NONOate. The principal results were a rapid onset, dose-dependent, reduction in amplitude of the CAP (p < 0.05) accompanied by depolarization of the CMP during NO exposure. These effects were largely reversible on washout, at low concentration of the donor (0.5 mM), but were only partially reversed at higher concentrations. Changes in the electrophysiological properties were not evident when the donor had been a priori depleted of NO. The results extend previous reports that NO induces reversible axonal conduction deficits. They provide new evidence of dissociation of the effects of NO on CAP and CMP during washout, and after prolonged exposure to the donor. They add support to the emerging concept that immune-mediated axonal conduction failure contributes to reversible neurologic deficits following neurotrauma and aid in understanding clinical phenomena such as spinal shock and neurologic recovery.

  6. Hypothyroidism: age-related influence on cardiovascular nitric oxide system in rats.

    PubMed

    Sarati, Lorena I; Martinez, Carla R; Artés, Nicolás; Arreche, Noelia; López-Costa, Juan J; Balaszczuk, Ana M; Fellet, Andrea L

    2012-09-01

    This study investigates whether changes in nitric oxide (NO) production participate in the cardiovascular manifestations of hypothyroidism and whether these changes are age-related. Sprague-Dawley rats aged 2 and 18 months old were treated with 0.02% methimazole (wt/vol) during 28 days. Left ventricular function was evaluated by echocardiography. Measurements of arterial blood pressure, heart rate, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and NOS/caveolin-1 and -3 protein levels were performed. Hypothyroidism enhanced the age-related changes in heart function. Hypothyroid state decreased atrial NOS activity in both young and adult rats, associated with a reduction in protein levels of the three NOS isoforms in young animals and increased caveolin (cav) 1 expression in adult rats. Ventricle and aorta NOS activity increased in young and adult hypothyroid animals. In ventricle, changes in NOS activity were accompanied by an increase in inducible NOS isoform in young rats and by an increase in caveolins expression in adult rats. Greater aorta NOS activity level in young and in adult Hypo rats would derive from the inducible and the endothelial NOS isoform, respectively. Thyroid hormones would be one of the factors involved in the modulation of cardiovascular NO production and caveolin-1 and -3 tissue-specific abundance, regardless of age. Hypothyroidism appears to contribute in a differential way to aging-induced changes in the myocardium and aorta tissues. Low thyroid hormones levels would enhance the aging effect on the heart. Age-related changes in NO production participate in the cardiovascular manifestations of hypothyroidism. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. [Potential protective role of nitric oxide and Hsp70 linked to functional foods in the atherosclerosis].

    PubMed

    Camargo, Alejandra B; Manucha, Walter

    Atherosclerosis, one of the main pathologic entities considered epidemic and a worldwide public health problem, is currently under constant review as regards its basic determining mechanisms and therapeutic possibilities. In this regard, all patients afflicted with the disease exhibit mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation. Interestingly, nitric oxide - a known vasoactive messenger gas - has been closely related to the inflammatory, oxidative and mitochondrial dysfunctional process that characterizes atherosclerosis. In addition, it has recently been demonstrated that alterations in the bioavailability of nitric oxide would induce the expression of heat shock proteins. This agrees with the use of functional foods as a strategy to prevent both vascular aging and the development of atherosclerosis. Finally, a greater knowledge regarding the mechanisms implied in the development of atherosclerosis will enable proposing new and possible hygiene, health and therapeutic interventions. Copyright © 2016 Sociedad Española de Arteriosclerosis. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  8. Pharmacological evidence for the role of nitric oxide in the modulation of stress-induced anxiety by morphine in rats.

    PubMed

    Anand, Rashmi; Gulati, Kavita; Ray, Arunabha

    2012-02-15

    The present study evaluated the effects of the opioid agonist, morphine on stress induced anxiogenesis and the possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in such effects in rats. Acute restraint stress consistently induced an anxiety-like response in the elevated plus maze test, i.e. reduced number of open arm entries and time spent in the open arms as compared to controls. Pretreatment with morphine (1 and 5mg/kg), attenuated the restraint stress induced anxiogenic response in a dose related manner. Restraint stress induced neurobehavioral suppression was associated with reductions in brain NO oxidation products (NOx) levels, which were also reversed with morphine. Interaction studies showed that sub-effective doses of morphine and l-arginine (a NO precursor) had synergistic effects on stress induced elevated plus maze activity and brain NOx, whereas, l-NAME (a NO synthase inhibitor) neutralized these effects of morphine. Repeated restraint stress (×5) induced adaptative changes as evidenced by normalization of behavioral suppression and elevations in brain NOx, as compared to acute stress. Pretreatment with morphine in combination with repeated stress (×5) showed potentiating effects in the induction of behavioral adaptation in the elevated plus maze and elevations in brain NOx, as compared to repeated stress alone. Further, l-NAME, when administered prior to morphine, blocked this effect of morphine on stress adaptation. These results suggest differential morphine-NO interactions during acute and repeated restraint stress. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. An intercomparison of nitric oxide measurement techniques

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hoell, J. M., Jr.; Gregory, G. L.; Mcdougal, D. S.; Carroll, M. A.; Mcfarland, M.; Ridley, B. A.; Davis, D. D.; Bradshaw, J.; Rodgers, M. O.; Torres, A. L.

    1985-01-01

    Results from an intercomparison of techniques to measure tropospheric levels of nitric oxide (NO) are discussed. The intercomparison was part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Global Tropospheric Experiment and was conducted at Wallops Island, VA, in July 1983. Instruments intercompared included a laser-induced fluorescence system and two chemiluminescence instruments. The intercomparisons were performed with ambient air at NO mixing ratios ranging from 10 to 60 pptv and NO-enriched ambient air at mixing ratios from 20 to 170 pptv. All instruments sampled from a common manifold. The techniques exhibited a high degree of correlation among themselves and with changes in the NO mixing ratio. Agreement among the three techniques was placed at approximately + or - 30 percent. Within this level of agreement, no artifacts or species interferences were identified.

  10. The involvement of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in antiepileptic action of alpha-asarone on pentylenetetrazol molding rats.

    PubMed

    Su, Jing; Zhu, Wenting; Liu, Jing; Yin, Jian; Qin, Wei; Jiang, Changbin

    2014-01-01

    The aim of the present study was to research the role of nitric oxide (NO) as a mediator of alpha (α)-asarone effect at the pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced epileptiform discharge in rat. α-Asarone that was injected intraperitoneally twenty minutes before PTZ injection suppressed the clonic discharge effectively and the significant actions lasted for 30 min with no change of clonic amplitude. Administration of α-asarone did not influence interictal discharge. Four kinds of NO regulators were administered, including non-selective NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor, aminoguanidine (AG) and NO substrate, L-arginine (ARG) and their influence on the actions of α-asarone were studied, and all of the regulators were administered fifteen minutes before α-asarone injection. L-NAME and 7-NI reversed the anticlonic activity of α-asarone, and a significant increase of clonic activity was induced by L-NAME later in L-NAME +.α-asarone + PTZ group. There were no significant differences between AG + α-asarone + PTZ and α-asarone + PTZ group. L-ARG played a dual role in this study. It aggravated clonic discharge in the early stage but relieved interictal discharge in the late stage compared with PTZ group alone, and the beneficial effect of α-asarone was also reversed. All the above results suggest that nNOS/NO pathway mediates the anticonvulsant effect of α-asarone, and NO played a biphasic role in PTZ modeling process, while iNOS was unrelated to the inhibition effect of α-asarone on PTZ induced epileptiform activity.

  11. Possible Involvement of Nitric Oxide Modulatory Mechanisms in the Neuroprotective Effect of Centella asiatica Against Sleep Deprivation Induced Anxiety Like Behaviour, Oxidative Damage and Neuroinflammation.

    PubMed

    Chanana, Priyanka; Kumar, Anil

    2016-04-01

    Sleep deprivation (SD) is an experience of inadequate or poor quality of sleep that may produce significant alterations in multiple neural systems. Centella asiatica (CA) is a psychoactive medicinal herb with immense therapeutic potential. The present study was designed to explore the possible nitric oxide (NO) modulatory mechanism in the neuroprotective effect of CA against SD induced anxiety like behaviour, oxidative damage and neuroinflammation. Male laca mice were sleep deprived for 72 h, and CA (150 and 300 mg/kg) was administered alone and in combination with NO modulators for 8 days, starting five days before 72-h SD exposure. Various behavioural (locomotor activity, elevated plus maze) and biochemical (lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, catalase, nitrite levels and superoxide dismutase activity), neuroinflammation marker (TNF-alpha) were assessed subsequently. CA (150 and 300 mg/kg) treatment for 8 days significantly improved locomotor activity, anti-anxiety like effect and attenuated oxidative damage and TNF α level as compared to sleep-deprived 72-h group. Also while the neuroprotective effect of CA was increased by NO antagonists, it was diminished by NO agonists. The present study suggests that NO modulatory mechanism could be involved in the protective effect of CA against SD-induced anxiety-like behaviour, oxidative damage and neuroinflammation in mice. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  12. Demonstration of nitric oxide synthase activity in crustacean hemocytes and anti-microbial activity of hemocyte-derived nitric oxide.

    PubMed

    Yeh, Feng-Ching; Wu, Su-Hua; Lai, Chi-Yung; Lee, Chi-Ying

    2006-05-01

    We determined the biochemical characteristics of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in hemocytes of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii and investigated the roles of hemocyte-derived NO in host defense. Biochemical analysis indicated the presence of a Ca2+ -independent NOS activity, which was elevated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment. When bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and hemocytes were co-incubated, adhesion of bacteria to hemocytes was observed. NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) significantly increased the numbers of hemocytes to which bacteria adhered. Similarly, LPS elicited bacterial adhesion and the LPS-induced adhesion was prevented by NOS inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). Finally, plate count assay demonstrated that addition of LPS to the hemocytes/bacteria co-incubation resulted in a significant decrease in bacterial colony forming unit (CFU), and that L-NMMA reversed the decreasing effect of LPS on CFU. The combined results demonstrate the presence of a Ca2+ -independent LPS-inducible NOS activity in crayfish hemocytes and suggest that hemocyte-derived NO is involved in promoting bacterial adhesion to hemocytes and enhancing bactericidal activity of hemocytes.

  13. Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in spontaneous bovine bronchopneumonia.

    PubMed

    Fligger, J M; Waldvogel, A S; Pfister, H; Jungi, T W

    1999-09-01

    The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), major histocompatibility class II molecules (MHC-II), CD68, and the calcium-binding proteins S100A8 and S100A9 (also called MRP8 and MRP14, respectively) was assessed in lung tissues from cattle that succumbed to pneumonia. Expression patterns of these markers were related to the types of lung lesion. iNOS expression was only observed in lungs infected with Arcanobacterium pyogenes or Pasteurella haemolytica but not in lungs from cattle with subacute chronic interstitial pneumonia and acute interstitial pneumonia due to Escherichia coli infection. High levels of iNOS were expressed by cells (probably leukocytes) surrounding necrotic foci. Occasionally, iNOS was expressed by intraalveolar macrophages in viable parenchyma, by leukocytes within the airways, and by some chondrocytes in the supporting cartilage of bronchi. Cells expressing MHC-II were distributed relatively evenly throughout areas of inflammation and did not display any clear association with necrotic foci. Cell types expressing MHC-II included type II alveolar epithelial cells, spindle-shaped cells of the interstitium, cells in bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue, and leukocytes in lymph and blood vessels but largely excluded iNOS-positive cells. Likewise, CD68-positive cells were rarely positive for iNOS and were not confined to the areas surrounding necrotic tissue. As with MHC-II and CD68, there was little if any coexpression of iNOS and either of the S100 proteins tested. Thus, in cattle with necrotizing bronchopneumonia, iNOS-expressing cells were largely restricted to the cellular zone surrounding necrotic areas.

  14. Pathological Lesions and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Expressions in the Liver of Mice Experimentally Infected with Clonorchis sinensis.

    PubMed

    Yang, Qing-Li; Shen, Ji-Qing; Xue, Yan; Cheng, Xiao-Bing; Jiang, Zhi-Hua; Yang, Yi-Chao; Chen, Ying-Dan; Zhou, Xiao-Nong

    2015-12-01

    The nitric oxide (NO) formation and intrinsic nitrosation may be involved in the possible mechanisms of liver fluke-associated carcinogenesis. We still do not know much about the responses of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) induced by Clonorchis sinensis infection. This study was conducted to explore the pathological lesions and iNOS expressions in the liver of mice with different infection intensity levels of C. sinensis. Extensive periductal inflammatory cell infiltration, bile duct hyperplasia, and fibrosis were commonly observed during the infection. The different pathological responses in liver tissues strongly correlated with the infection intensity of C. sinensis. Massive acute spotty necrosis occurred in the liver parenchyma after a severe infection. The iNOS activity in liver tissues increased, and iNOS-expressing cells with morphological differences were observed after a moderate or severe infection. The iNOS-expressing cells in liver tissues had multiple origins.

  15. Enhanced biogenic emissions of nitric oxide and nitrous oxide following surface biomass burning

    Treesearch

    Iris C. Anderson; Joel S. Levine; Mark A. Poth; Philip J. Riggan

    1988-01-01

    Recent measurements indicate significantly enhanced biogenic soil emissions of both nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N2O) following surface burning. These enhanced fluxes persisted for at least 6 months following the burn. Simultaneous measurements indicate enhanced levels of...

  16. Intraprotein Electron Transfer in Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Holoenzyme

    PubMed Central

    Feng, Changjian; Dupont, Andrea L.; Nahm, Nickolas J.; Spratt, Donald E.; Hazzard, James T.; Weinberg, J. Brice; Guillemette, J. Guy; Tollin, Gordon; Ghosh, Dipak K.

    2008-01-01

    Intraprotein electron transfer (IET) from flavin mononucleotide (FMN) to heme is essential in nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by NO synthase (NOS). Our previous laser flash photolysis studies provided a direct determination of the kinetics of the FMN–heme IET in a truncated oxyFMN construct of murine inducible NOS (iNOS), in which only the oxygenase and FMN domains along with the calmodulin (CaM) binding site are present [Feng et al. (2006) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 128, 3808-3811]. Here we report the kinetics of the IET in a human iNOS oxyFMN construct, a human iNOS holoenzyme and a murine iNOS holoenzyme, using CO photolysis in comparative studies on partially reduced NOS and a NOS oxygenase construct that lacks the FMN domain. The IET rate constants for the human and murine iNOS holoenzymes are 34 ± 5 s-1 and 35 ± 3 s-1, respectively, thereby providing a direct measurement of this IET between the catalytically significant redox couples of FMN and heme in the iNOS holoenzyme. These values are approximately an order of magnitude smaller than that in the corresponding iNOS oxyFMN construct, suggesting that in the holoenzyme the rate-limiting step in the IET is the conversion of the shielded electron-accepting (input) state to a new electron-donating (output) state. The fact that there is no rapid IET component in the kinetic traces obtained with the iNOS holoenzyme implies that the enzyme remains mainly in the input state. The IET rate constant value for the iNOS holoenzyme is similar to that obtained for a CaM-bound neuronal NOS (nNOS) holoenzyme, suggesting that CaM activation effectively removes the inhibitory effect of the unique autoregulatory insert in nNOS. PMID:18830722

  17. Nitric oxide reversibly inhibits seven members of the caspase family via S-nitrosylation.

    PubMed

    Li, J; Billiar, T R; Talanian, R V; Kim, Y M

    1997-11-17

    The caspases are a family of at least 10 human cysteine proteases that participate in cytokine maturation and in apoptotic signal transduction and execution mechanisms. Peptidic inhibitors of these enzymes are capable of blocking cytokine maturation and apoptosis, demonstrating their crucial roles in these processes. We have recently discovered that nitric oxide (NO), produced either extracellularly by NO donors or intracellularly by the inducible nitric oxide synthase, prevented apoptosis in hepatocytes. Caspase-3-like activity was found to be inhibited under these conditions. To investigate further the interaction between NO and caspases, we utilized purified human recombinant caspases and examined the effect of NO on enzymatic activities of different caspases. We report here that of the seven caspases studied, all were reversibly inhibited by NO. Dithiothreitol was able to reverse the NO inhibition, indicating direct S-nitrosylation of caspase catalytic cysteine residue by NO. Our results support the concept that NO is an endogenous regulator of caspase activity.

  18. Clonidine-induced nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxation mediated by endothelial α2-adrenoceptor activation

    PubMed Central

    Figueroa, Xavier F; Poblete, M Inés; Boric, Mauricio P; Mendizábal, Victoria E; Adler-Graschinsky, Edda; Huidobro-Toro, J Pablo

    2001-01-01

    To assess the involvement of endothelial α2-adrenoceptors in the clonidine-induced vasodilatation, the mesenteric artery of Sprague Dawley rats was cannulated and perfused with Tyrode solution (2 ml min−1). We measured perfusion pressure, nitric oxide (NO) in the perfusate using chemiluminescence, and tissue cyclic GMP by RIA.In phenylephrine-precontracted mesenteries, clonidine elicited concentration-dependent vasodilatations associated to a rise in luminal NO. One hundred nM rauwolscine or 100 μM Lω-nitro-L-arginine antagonized the clonidine-induced vasodilatation. Guanabenz, guanfacine, and oxymetazoline mimicked the clonidine-induced vasorelaxation.In non-contracted mesenteries, 100 nM clonidine elicited a maximal rise of NO (123±13 pmol); associated to a peak in tissue cyclic GMP. Endothelium removal, Lω-nitro-L-arginine, or rauwolscine ablated the rise in NO. One hundred nM aminoclonidine, guanfacine, guanabenz, UK14,304 and oxymetazoline mimicked the clonidine-induced surge of NO. Ten μM ODQ obliterated the clonidine-induced vasorelaxation and the associated tissue cyclic GMP accumulation; 10 – 100 nM sildenafil increased tissue cyclic GMP accumulation without altering the clonidine-induced NO release.α2-Adrenergic blockers antagonized the clonidine-induced rise in NO. Consistent with a preferential α2D-adrenoceptor activation, the KBs for yohimbine, rauwolscine, phentolamine, WB-4101, and prazosin were: 6.8, 24, 19, 165, and 1489 nM, respectively.Rat pretreatment with 100 mg kg−1 6-hydroxydopamine reduced 95% tissue noradrenaline and 60% neuropeptide Y. In these preparations, 100 nM clonidine elicited a rise of 91.9±15.5 pmol NO. Perfusion with 1 μM guanethidine or 1 μM guanethidine plus 1 μM atropine did not modify the NO surge evoked by 100 nM clonidine.Clonidine and congeners activate endothelial α2D-adrenoceptors coupled to the L-arginine pathway, suggesting that the antihypertensive action of

  19. Mechanisms Of Hypoxia-Induced Immune Escape In Cancer And Their Regulation By Nitric Oxide.

    PubMed

    Graham, Charles; Barsoum, Ivraym; Kim, Judy; Black, Madison; Siemens, Robert D

    2015-08-01

    The acquired ability of tumour cells to avoid destruction by immune effector mechanisms (immune escape) is important for malignant progression. Also associated with malignant progression is tumour hypoxia, which induces aggressive phenotypes such as invasion, metastasis and drug resistance in cancer cells. Our studies revealed that hypoxia contributes to escape from innate immunity by increasing tumour cell expression of the metalloproteinase ADAM10 in a manner dependent on accumulation of the alpha subunit of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α). Increased ADAM10 expression leads to shedding of the NK cell-activating ligand, MICA, from the surface of tumour cells, thereby resulting in resistance to NK cell-mediated lysis. Our more recent studies demonstrated that hypoxia, also via HIF-1α accumulation, increases the expression of the inhibitory co-stimulatory ligand PD-L1 on tumour cells. Elevated PD-L1 expression leads to escape from adaptive immunity via increased apoptosis of CD8 + cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Accumulating evidence indicates that hypoxia-induced acquisition of malignant phenotypes, including immune escape, is in part due to impaired nitric oxide (NO)-mediated activation of cGMP signalling and that restoration of cGMP signalling prevents such hypoxic responses. We have shown that NO/cGMP signalling inhibits hypoxia-induced malignant phenotypes likely in part by interfering with HIF-1α accumulation via a mechanism involving calpain. These findings indicate that activation of NO/cGMP signalling may have useful applications in cancer therapy. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  20. Inactivation of Nitric Oxide Synthesis Exacerbates the Development of Alzheimer Disease Pathology in APPPS1 Mice (Amyloid Precursor Protein/Presenilin-1).

    PubMed

    Cifuentes, Diana; Poittevin, Marine; Bonnin, Philippe; Ngkelo, Anta; Kubis, Nathalie; Merkulova-Rainon, Tatyana; Lévy, Bernard I

    2017-07-31

    The epidemiological link between hypertension and Alzheimer disease is established. We previously reported that hypertension aggravates the Alzheimer-like pathology in APPPS1 mice (amyloid precursor protein/presenilin-1, mouse model of Alzheimer disease) with angiotensin II-induced hypertension, in relation with hypertension and nitric oxide deficiency. To provide further insights into the role of nitric oxide in the hypertension-Alzheimer disease cross-talk, we studied the effects of nitric oxide blockade in APPPS1 mice using N (ω)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) alone or in combination with hydralazine, to normalize blood pressure. Compared with normotensive APPPS1 mice, those with l-NAME-induced hypertension had greater amyloid burden ( P <0.05), increased cortical amyloid angiopathy ( P <0.01), decreased regional microvascular density ( P <0.05), and deficient long-term spatial reference memory ( P <0.001). Blood pressure normalization with hydralazine did not protect APPPS1 mice from l-NAME-induced deterioration except for cortical amyloid angiopathy, linked to hypertension-induced arterial wall remodeling. By testing the cerebrovascular response to hypercapnic breathing, we evidenced early functional impairment of cerebral vasomotor activity in APPPS1 mice. Whereas in control wild-type normotensive mice, carbon dioxide breathing resulted in 15±1.3% increase in the mean blood flow velocity ( P <0.001), paradoxical mild decrease (1.5±0.4%) was recorded in normotensive APPPS1 mice ( P <0.001). Carbon dioxide-induced decrease in mean blood flow velocity was not significantly modified in l-NAME-treated hypertensive APPPS1 mice (2.5±1.2%) and partly reversed to mild vasodilation by hydralazine (3.2±1.5%, P <0.01). These results suggest that impaired nitric oxide bioavailability exacerbates the pathophysiology of Alzheimer disease, essentially impacting amyloid load and cognitive impairment, independently of l-NAME-induced hypertension. Only cerebral