Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:1.5.1.19 (NOS)
 7,285 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Nitric oxide (NO.) plays a central role in the Physioliology of the gastrointestinal tract and its response to critical illness. Potential sources of NO. in the gut include: intrinsic intestinal tissue (mast cells, epithelium, smooth muscle, neural plexus), resident and/or infiltrating leukocytes (neutrophils, monocytes), reduction of luminal gastric nitrate, and denitrification by commensal anaerobes. The brain and endothelial isoforms of nitric oxide synthase are expressed under resting conditions, whereas inflammatory stimuli are required for the induction of the inducible type. Under resting conditions, mucosal perfusion is regulated by NO. derived from the vascular endothelium of the mesenteric bed. During inflammation, excessive NO. production from the inducible synthase may contribute to mucosal hyperemia. Coordination of peristalsis and sphincteric action is mediated by the release of NO., which acts as the principal neurotransmitter of the nonadrenergic, noncholinergic enteric nervous system. Alterations in bowel motility, such as ileus, result from excessive concentrations of NO. generated during endotoxicosis and inflammatory bowel disease. The role of NO. in the regulation of salt and water secretion is poorly understood. Endotoxin-induced inhibition of gastric acid secretion appears to be mediated by the action of NO. on parietal cells. NO. may protect the gastrointestinal mucosa from a variety of stimuli (caustic ingestion, ischemia, ischemia/reperfusion injury, early endotoxic shock) by maintaining mucosal perfusion, inhibiting neutrophil adhesion to mesenteric endothelium, blocking platelet adhesion, and preventing mast cell activation. Excessive NO., however, may directly injure the mucosa. Barrier function of the intestinal mucosa is protected by NO. in the early stages of injury, when neutrophil adhesion, ischemia, and mast cell activation are relevant. Inhibition of NO. synthesis ameliorates barrier dysfunction during more advanced stages of inflammation, when activation of inducible NOS yields toxic concentrations of NO.. At high concentrations, NO. disrupts the actin cytoskeleton, inhibits ATP formation, dilates cellular tight junctions, and produces a hyperpermeable state. Selective inhibition of the inducible isoform of NOS and maintenance of the constitutive types may be therapeutic.
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PMID:Nitric oxide in the gut. 770 93

Systemic vascular hyporeactivity to vasoconstrictors has been described in rats following endotoxin administration. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression is known to occur in the liver in endotoxemia, but consequences of iNOS induction on hepatic hemodynamics are unknown. The reactivity of the hepatic circulation to phenylephrine was tested in perfused livers from normal rats and rats previously injected with endotoxin (20 mg/kg ip). In control rats (n = 5), phenylephrine-induced portal pressure increases were similar in livers perfused with Krebs-Henseleit-bicarbonate (KHB) buffer, KHB plus the NOS inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 1 mM), or KHB plus the substrate for NO synthesis, L-arginine (1 mM). In contrast, livers from endotoxin-treated rats (n = 5) exhibited a marked reduction in the vasoconstrictive response to phenylephrine (14.6 vs. 55.1% in livers from control rats, P < 0.05). Perfusion with L-NMMA restored the phenylephrine response, and the L-NMMA effect was reversible with L-arginine. Perfusate NO2-/NO3- and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) levels were increased in endotoxin-treated rats and significantly reduced by L-NMMA perfusion. In control livers, the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine blocked the portal pressure increase after phenylephrine administration. These results suggest that rat hepatic circulation takes part in the systemic vascular hyporeactivity to vasoconstrictors observed in endotoxemia and that NO is involved in this hyporeactivity to phenylephrine.
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PMID:Nitric oxide causes hyporeactivity to phenylephrine in isolated perfused livers from endotoxin-treated rats. 784 Feb 1

Genomic transformation of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii exposed to glass-bead abrasion was accomplished with a chimeric neomycin phosphotransferaseII (NPTII)-encoding gene (nos::npt) flanked by the nopaline synthase promoter and polyadenylation sequences obtained from the Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. These sequences were in a plasmid (pGA482) which also contained gene nit1 encoding nitrate reductase of C. reinhardtii. Transformants were selected by their ability to grow on medium containing nitrate, and 52% of these was also resistant to kanamycin. Evidence for nos::npt expression includes: (1) hybridization with probes specific for npt, (2) demonstration of NPTII activity after electrophoresis of extracts, and (3) chromatographic identification of the reaction product of NPTII, kanamycin phosphate. The highly biased codon usage in Chlamydomonas does not preclude expression.
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PMID:Expression of a foreign gene in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. 838 57

The ex vivo tissue concentration of nitrite and nitrate (NOx) was found to correlate closely with the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS; EC 1.14.13.39) in various brain regions. Systemic administration of the nonselective NOS inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA) at doses that completely inhibited both central and peripheral NOS, depleted whole-brain and CSF NOx by up to 75% but had no effect on plasma NOx. Selective inhibition of central NOS by intracerebroventricular administration of L-NA methyl ester produced similar decreases in levels of whole-brain NOx. A residual concentration of NOx of 10-15 microM remained in all brain regions even after complete inhibition of brain NOS. Brain NOx content decreased rapidly and in parallel with the inhibition of brain NOS. The ex vivo measurement of levels of brain NOx was found to reflect the in vivo efficacy of several different types of NOS inhibitor: L-NA, N omega-monomethyl-l-arginine, and 7-nitroindazole. Intraperitoneal administration of the NOS substrate L-arginine increased brain NOx concentrations by up to 150% of control values. These results demonstrate that the ex vivo measurement of levels of brain tissue NOx is a rapid, reliable, and straightforward technique to determine NOS activity in vivo. This method can be used to assess both the regional distribution and the degree of inhibition of NOS activity in vivo.
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PMID:Ex vivo measurement of brain tissue nitrite and nitrate accurately reflects nitric oxide synthase activity in vivo. 862 26

Estradiol is known to exert a protective effect against the development of atherosclerosis, but the mechanism by which this protection is mediated is unclear. Since animal studies strongly suggest that production of endothelium-derived relaxing factor is enhanced by estradiol, we have examined the effect of estrogens on nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) activity, protein, and mRNA in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells. In reporter cells rich in guanylate cyclase, it has been observed that long-term treatment (> or = 24 hr) with ethinylestradiol (EE2) dose-dependently increased guanylate cyclase-activating factor activity in the conditioned medium of endothelial cells. However, conversion of L-[14C]arginine to L-[14C]citrulline by endothelial cell homogenate or quantification of nitrite and nitrate released by intact cells in the conditioned medium did not reveal any change in NOS activity induced by EE2 treatment. Similarly, Western and Northern blot analyses did not reveal any change in the endothelial NOS protein and mRNA content in response to EE2. However, EE2 dose- and time-dependently decreased superoxide anion production in the conditioned medium of endothelial cells with an EC50 value (0.1 nM) close to that which increased guanylate cyclase-activating factor activity (0.5 nM). Both of these effects were completely prevented by the antiestrogens tamoxifen and RU54876. Thus, endothelium exposure to estrogens appears to induce a receptor-mediated antioxidant effect that enhances the biological activity of endothelium-derived NO. These effects could account at least in part for the vascular protective properties of these hormones.
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PMID:Ethinylestradiol does not enhance the expression of nitric oxide synthase in bovine endothelial cells but increases the release of bioactive nitric oxide by inhibiting superoxide anion production. 863 24

1 The role of nitric oxide (NO) derived from constitutive and inducible nitric oxide synthase (cNOS and iNOS) and its relationship to oxygen-derived free radicals and prostaglandins (PG) was investigated in a carrageenan-induced model of acute hindpaw inflammation. 2 The intraplantar injection of carrageenan elicited an inflammatory response that was characterized by a time-dependent increase in paw oedema, neutrophil infiltration, and increased levels of nitrite/nitrate (NO2-/NO3-) and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) in the paw exudate. 3 Paw oedema was maximal by 6 h and remained elevated for 10 h following carrageenan administration. The non-selective cNOS/iNOS inhibitors, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) given intravenously (30-300 mg kg-1) 1 h before or after carrageenan administration, inhibited paw oedema at all time points. 4 The selective iNOS inhibitors, N-iminoethyl-L-lysine (L-NIL) or aminoguanidine (AG), failed to inhibit carrageenan-induced paw oedema during the first 4 h following carrageenan administration, but inhibited paw oedema at subsequent time points (from 5-10 h). iNOS mRNA was detected between 3 to 10 h following carrageenan administration using ribonuclease protection assays. iNOS protein was first detected 6 h and was maximal 10 h following carrageenan administration as shown by Western blot analysis. Administration of the iNOS inhibitors 5 h after carrageenan (a time point where iNOS was expressed) inhibited paw oedema at all subsequent time points. Infiltrating neutrophils were not the source of iNOS since pretreatment with colchicine (2 mg kg-1) suppressed neutrophil infiltration, but did not inhibit the iNOS mRNA expression or the elevated NO2-/NO3- levels in the paw exudate. 5 Inhibition of paw oedema by the NOS inhibitors was associated with attenuation of both the NO2-/NO3- and PGE2 levels in the paw exudate. These inhibitors also reduced the neutrophil infiltration at the site of inflammation. 6 Recombinant human Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase coupled to polyethyleneglycol (PEGrhSOD; 12 x 10(3) u kg-1), administered intravenously either 30 min prior to or 1 h after carrageenan injection, inhibited paw oedema and neutrophil infiltration, but had no effect on NO2-/NO3- or PGE2 production in the paw exudate. The administration of catalase (40 x 10(3) u kg-1), given intraperitoneally 30 min before carrageenan administration, had no effect on paw oedema. Treatment with desferrioxamine (300 mg kg-1), given subcutaneously 1 h before carrageenan, inhibited paw oedema during the first 2 h after carrageenan administration, but not at later times. 7 These results suggest that the NO produced by cNOS is involved in the development of inflammation at early time points following carrageenan administration and that NO produced by iNOS is involved in the maintenance of the inflammatory response at later time points. The potential interactions of NO with superoxide anion and PG is discussed.
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PMID:Nitric oxide: a key mediator in the early and late phase of carrageenan-induced rat paw inflammation. 879 51

The alpha H beta S [beta MDD] mouse is a useful model for studying renal functional abnormalities in sickle cell disease. We previously reported that these mice develop a urine concentrating defect when chronically exposed to a low oxygen environment. In the present study, we measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urinary excretion of NO2 s+ NO3, the stable products of nitric oxide (NO), and the abundance of endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase (NOS III) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS II) in the kidneys by Western blot. Immunohistochemistry was also carried out. We found that GFR is significantly higher in the transgenic mice than in controls. The urinary NO2 + NO3/creatinine ratio was also higher. The Western blots revealed that both NOS III and NOS II are markedly increased in the kidneys of transgenic mice as compared to normal control mice. Immunohistochemistry localized NOS III reactivity in proximal convoluted cells in the cortex of control and alpha H beta S [beta MDD] mice. NOS II immunostaining was not seen in control mice but was clearly evident in glomeruli and distal nephron segments of the alpha H beta S [beta MDD] mice. These observations suggest that NOS II is induced in glomeruli and distal nephrons of the alpha H beta S [beta MDD] mice. An increase in synthesis of NO may occur in the glomeruli as a result of NOS II induction, and this may contribute to the hyperfiltration in these mice.
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PMID:Renal nitric oxide synthases in transgenic sickle cell mice. 880 87

Reactive oxygen species such as nitric oxide (NO) and/or superoxide have been proposed as mediators in the pathogenesis of reperfusion injury and acute endotoxemia. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of NO in a model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion with endotoxemia (I/R + LPS). Rats subjected to 30 min of partial hepatic ischemia followed by reperfusion and LPS (Salmonella enteritidis, 1 mg/kg, i.v.,) administration, exhibited a marked, time-dependent increase in plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels compared to sham controls. An abrupt increase in liver nitrite/nitrate levels was also observed in I/R + LPS rats in association with the increases in plasma ALT. Although liver NO production in I/R + LPS rats increased with time, exacerbation of liver damage was not evident. Administration of L-NAME decreased NO production in plasma and liver but did not affect the liver damage in rats subjected to I/R + LPS. Superoxide levels in livers from I/R + LPS rats increased by threefold after 90 min reperfusion as compared to sham controls but dropped to control levels after 4 hr. There was a significant increase in neutrophils in liver lobes subjected to ischemia-reperfusion and LPS compared to sham controls and to non-ischemic lobes which received LPS. The number of neutrophils in the liver increased further in rats given L-NAME. These results suggest that the progressive injury seen in livers of I/R + LPS rats was possibly due to NO interaction with superoxide forming another reactive oxygen species such as peroxynitrite. However, inhibition of NO synthesis did not ameliorate liver damage, possibly because of an increase in tissue accumulation of activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Lung NO production increased in I/R + LPS rats after 4 hr reperfusion compared to sham controls. Prior administration of L-NAME did not prevent a significant rise in pulmonary NO generation (P < 0.05 at 90 min and 4 hr, compared to sham controls). This unexpected rise of pulmonary NO in the L-NAME treated group of rats was associated with a tendency for increased PMN accumulation (based on myeloperoxidase data) and superoxide generation. The results suggest that endogenous NO protected against excessive neutrophil infiltration in the lung in this model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion and endotoxemia, and the use of L-NAME, a nonselective NOS inhibitor, may aggravate lung injury.
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PMID:Role of nitric oxide in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion with endotoxemia. 884 95

Induction of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in various types of cells is implicated as the cause of septic shock. We evaluated the concentration of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a cofactor of NOS, in plasma and various other tissues of rats treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10 mg/kg I.V.). The activity of GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH), the first and rate-limiting enzyme in the de novo synthesis of BH4, in rat tissues was also determined. Three hours after administration of LPS, rats showed plasma levels of BH4 and NOx (NO3- and NO2-) that were elevated by 137 and 206%, respectively. GTPCH was expressed in liver and, to a lesser extent, in the lung, heart and kidney of control rats. In control rats, although a high concentration of BH4 was detected in the liver, its level was lower in lung, heart, kidney and aorta. Three hours after LPS administration, a significant increase in BH4 concentration and/or GTPCH activity was observed in all tissues examined except the liver. Our results demonstrate that the de novo synthesis of BH4 is upregulated by LPS in the rat in vivo, which may, at least in part, account for the increases in plasma level and tissue concentration of BH4 after the administration of LPS.
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PMID:Tetrahydrobiopterin and GTP cyclohydrolase I in a rat model of endotoxic shock: relation to nitric oxide synthesis. 885 74

To determine whether angiotensin (ANG) II, a vasoconstrictor hormone, activates constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) in endothelial cells (ECs), we investigated the cellular mechanism by which ANG II induces nitric oxide (NO) formation in cultured bovine ECs. ANG II rapidly (within 1 min) and dose-dependently (10(-9)-10(-6) M) increased nitrate/nitrite (NOx) production. This effect of ANG II was abolished by a NOS inhibitor, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine. An ANG II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist (DuP 753), but not an ANG II type 2 (AT2) receptor antagonist (PD 123177), dose-dependently inhibited ANG II-induced NOx production. A Ca(2+)-channel blocker (barnidipine) failed to affect ANG II-induced NOx production, whereas an intracellular Ca2+ chelator (BAPTA) and a calmodulin inhibitor (W-7) abolished NOx production induced by ANG II. A protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor (H-7) and down-regulation of endogenous PKC after pretreatment with phorbol ester decreased NOx production stimulated by ANG II. ANG II transiently stimulated inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) formation, and increased cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations; these effects were blocked by DuP 753. Our data demonstrate that ANG II stimulates NO release by activation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent cNOS via AT1 receptors in bovine ECs.
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PMID:Angiotensin II activates endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase via AT1 receptors. 889 49


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