Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0476273 (respiratory distress)
19,632 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The possible contribution of Rho/Rho-kinase signalling in oleic acid (100 mg kg-1, i.v., for 4 h)-induced lung injury was investigated in rats. Furthermore, the possible protective effect of the administration of a Rho-kinase inhibitor, (+)-(R)-trans-4-(1-aminoethyl)-N-(4-pyridyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide dihydrochloride monohydrate (Y-27632, 0.5-5 mg kg-1, i.v., 15 min before the administration of oleic acid), was also examined. Western blot analysis as well as histopathological examination revealed that Rho-kinase (ROCK-1 and ROCK-2) was upregulated in lungs obtained from oleic acid-administrated rats. In addition, the markers of oxidative and nitrosative stress, i.e., malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, 3-nitro-L-tyrosine and nitrite/nitrate, in serum and lung tissue were also increased in the injury group. Treatment of rats with 5 mg kg-1 Y-27632 reversed the oleic acid-induced lung damage, which was demonstrated by histopathological assessment and confirmed in Western blot experiments: ROCK-blots were more intense in the oleic acid group than in control and Y-27632 treatment reversed ROCK upregulation. In addition, malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, 3-nitro-L-tyrosine and nitrite/nitrate were also normalized after the administration of Y-27632 (0.5 mg kg-1 and 5 mg kg-1). These findings suggest that ROCK-1 and ROCK-2 are involved in oleic acid-induced lung damage in rats, and that inhibition of this enzyme by Y-27632 may have a protective effect against such damage. Consequently, Rho kinase inhibitors may be potential therapeutic agents in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
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PMID:Rho-kinase (ROCK-1 and ROCK-2) upregulation in oleic acid-induced lung injury and its restoration by Y-27632. 1574 Jul 34

1. Prednisolone, a potent anti-inflammatory drug, has proved ineffective in treating acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS is associated with superoxide (O(2)(*-)) generation, which negates nitric oxide (NO). NO also downregulates NADPH oxidase and inhibits O(2)(*-) formation. A possible reason for the lack of effect of prednisolone may due to an inhibition of eNOS expression. In order to test this proposal, the effect of prednisolone on O(2)(*-) formation and the expression of gp91(phox) (catalytic subunit of NADPH oxidase) and eNOS in pig pulmonary artery (PA) segments and PA endothelial cells (PAECs) and PA vascular smooth muscle cells (PAVSMCs) was investigated. 2. PA segments and cells were incubated with prednisolone and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) for 16 h. O(2)(*-) formation was measured spectrophometrically and gp91(phox) and eNOS expression by Western blotting. The role of the NO-cGMP axis was studied using morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride, the diethylamine/NO complex (DETA-NONOate), the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, 1H-{1,2,4}oxadiazolo{4,3-a}quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) and the stable cGMP analogues, 8-bromo cGMP and 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cGMP (8-pCPT-cGMP). NO release was studied using a fluorescence assay and O(2)(*-)-NO interactions with a nitrite/nitrate assay. 3. Prednisolone elicited significant increase in O(2)(*-) formation in intact PA segments and PAECs, but not PAVSMCs, in a concentration-dependent manner. In endothelium-denuded segments, prednisolone slightly enhanced O(2)(*-) release. TNF-alpha further increased prednisolone-enhanced O(2)(*-) formation in intact PA segments and PAECs. NADPH oxidase inhibitor, apocynin, inhibited O(2)(*-) formation. Increased O(2)(*-) release and gp91(phox) expression in PAECs elicited by prednisolone was blocked by SIN-1 (3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride), DETA-NONOate, 8-pCPT-cGMP and 8-bromo cGMP. The effects of SIN-1 on gp91(phox) expression were reversed by ODQ. Finally, eNOS protein expression was significantly reduced by prednisolone. 4. Prednisolone increases O(2)(*-) in porcine PAECs through a downregulation of endogenous eNOS expression. Since the NO-cGMP axis inhibits gp91(phox) expression, the resultant decrease in endogenous NO formation then augments NADPH oxidase activity, which in turn results in increased O(2)(*-) formation. Since O(2)(*-) promotes inflammation, this mechanism may explain why prednisolone is ineffective in treating ARDS. Therapeutically, the coadministration of an NO donor may render prednisolone more effective in treating ARDS.
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PMID:Prednisolone augments superoxide formation in porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells through differential effects on the expression of nitric oxide synthase and NADPH oxidase. 1585 33

1. Acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome is a serious clinical problem with high mortality. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is an anti-oxidant and a free radical scavenger. It has been reported recently that NAC ameliorates organ damage induced by endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) in conscious rats. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of NAC on LPS-induced ALI and other changes in anaesthetized rats. 2. Sprague-Dawley rats were anaesthetized with pentobarbital (40 mg/kg, i.p.). Endotracheal intubation was performed to provide artificial ventilation. Arterial pressure and heart rate were monitored. The extent of ALI was evaluated with the lung weight (LW)/bodyweight ratio, LW gain, exhaled nitric oxide (NO) and protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage (PCBAL). Haematocrit, white blood cells, plasma nitrate/nitrite, methyl guanidine (MG), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1b were measured. Pathological changes in the lung were examined and evaluated. 3. Endotoxaemia was produced by injection of 10 mg/kg, i.v., LPS (Escherichia coli). Animals were randomly divided into three groups. In the vehicle group, rats received an i.v. drip of physiological saline solution (PSS) at a rate of 0.3 mL/h. The LPS group received an i.v. drip of PSS for 1 h, followed by LPS (10 mg/kg by slow blous injection, i.v., over 1-2 min). Rats in the LPS + NAC group received NAC by i.v. drip at a rate of 150 mg/kg per h (0.3 mL/h) for 60 min starting 10 min before LPS administration (10 mg/kg by slow blous injection, i.v., over 1-2 min). Each group was observed for a period of 6 h. 4. N-Acetylcysteine treatment improved the LPS-induced hypotension and leukocytopenia. It also reduced the extent of ALI, as evidenced by reductions in LW changes, exhaled NO, PCBAL and lung pathology. In addition, NAC diminished the LPS-induced increases in nitrate/nitrite, MG, TNF-a and IL-1b. 5. In another series of experiments, LPS increased the mortality rate compared with the vehicle group (i.v. drip of PSS at a rate of 0.3 mL/h) during a 6 h observation period. N-Acetylcysteine, given 10 min prior to LPS, significantly increased the survival rate. 6. The results of the present study suggest that NAC exerts a protective effect on the LPS-induced ALI. The mechanisms of action may be mediated through the reduction of the production of NO, free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines.
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PMID:N-acetylcysteine abrogates acute lung injury induced by endotoxin. 1644 96

1. Acute lung injury (ALI), or acute respiratory distress syndrome, is a major cause of mortality in endotoxaemia. The present study tested whether the endotoxaemia-induced changes and associated ALI were enhanced in rats with established hypertension and to examine the possible mechanisms involved. 2. Fifty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and the same number of normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, aged 12-15 weeks, were used. The experiments were performed in conscious, unanaesthetized rats. Endotoxaemia was produced by intravenous lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10 mg/kg). N(G)-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10 mg/kg, i.v.), L-N(6)-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine (L-Nil; 5 mg/kg, i.v.) and 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1; 5 mg/kg, i.v.) were given 5 min before LPS to observe the effects of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition and nitric oxide (NO) donation. 3. We monitored arterial pressure and heart rate and evaluated ALI by determining the lung weight/bodyweight ratio, lung weight gain, leakage of Evans blue dye, the protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage and histopathological examination. Plasma nitrate/nitrite, methyl guanidine, pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta, and lung tissue cGMP were determined. Expression of mRNA for inducible and endothelial NOS was examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. 4. Lipopolysaccharide caused systemic hypotension, ALI and increases in plasma nitrate/nitrite, methyl guanidine, pro-inflammatory cytokines and lung cGMP content. The LPS-induced changes were greater in SHR than in WKY rats. Pretreatment with L-NAME or L-Nil attenuated, whereas the NO donor SIN-1 aggravated, the endotoxin-induced changes. 5. In conclusion, rats with genetic hypertension are more susceptible to endotoxaemia and this results in a greater extent of ALI compared with normotensive WKY rats.
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PMID:Endotoxin-induced acute lung injury is enhanced in rats with spontaneous hypertension. 1720 37

1. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) inhibitors S-methylisothiourea (SMT) and l-N(6)-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine (l-Nil) on endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI), as well as the associated physiological, biomedical and pathological changes, in anaesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats and in rat isolated perfused lungs. 2. Endotoxaemia was induced by an intravenous (i.v.) infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; Escherichia coli 10 mg/kg). Lipopolysaccharide produced systemic hypotension and tachycardia. It also increased the lung weight/bodyweight ratio, lung weight gain, exhaled nitric oxide (NO), the protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage and microvascular permeability. 3. Following infusion of LPS, plasma nitrate/nitrite, methyl guanidine, pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta) were markedly elevated. Pathological examination revealed severe pulmonary oedema and inflammatory cell infiltration. Pretreatment with SMT (3 mg/kg, i.v.) or l-Nil (3 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly attenuated the LPS-induced changes and ALI. 4. The results suggest that the inflammatory responses and ALI following infusion of LPS are due to the production of NO, free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines through the iNOS system. Inhibition of iNOS is effective in mitigating the endotoxaemic changes and lung pathology. Inhibitors of iNOS may be potential therapeutic agents for clinical application in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
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PMID:Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase attenuates acute endotoxin-induced lung injury in rats. 1732 47

FES (fat embolism syndrome) is a clinical problem, and, although ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) has been considered as a serious complication of FES, the pathogenesis of ARDS associated with FES remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the clinical manifestations, and biochemical and pathophysiological changes, in subjects associated with FES and ARDS, to elucidate the possible mechanisms involved in this disorder. A total of eight patients with FES were studied, and arterial blood pH, PaO(2) (arterial partial pressure of O(2)), PaCO(2) (arterial partial pressure of CO(2)), biochemical and pathophysiological data were obtained. These subjects suffered from crash injuries and developed FES associated with ARDS, and each died within 2 h after admission. In the subjects, chest radiography revealed that the lungs were clear on admission, and pulmonary infiltration was observed within 2 h of admission. Arterial blood pH and PaO(2) declined, whereas PaCO(2) increased. Plasma PLA(2) (phospholipase A(2)), nitrate/nitrite, methylguanidine, TNF-alpha (tumour necrosis factor-alpha), IL-1beta (interleukin-1beta) and IL-10 (interleukin-10) were significantly elevated. Pathological examinations revealed alveolar oedema and haemorrhage with multiple fat droplet depositions and fibrin thrombi. Fat droplets were also found in the arterioles and/or capillaries in the lung, kidney and brain. Immunohistochemical staining identified iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) in alveolar macrophages. In conclusion, our clinical analysis suggests that PLA(2), NO, free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of ARDS associated with FES. The major source of NO is the alveolar macrophages.
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PMID:Clinical and pathological features of fat embolism with acute respiratory distress syndrome. 1742 99

This study was undertaken to describe clinical, mycological and histopathological findings in black neck ostriches affected with severe aspergillosis in a flock including 80 birds, near Tehran, Iran. The signs included anorexia, depression, notable weight loss, diarrhoea, severe respiratory distress and death. Grossly, the lungs showed numerous white to yellow caseous nodules and the walls of the thoracic and abdominal air sacs were thickened with inflammatory exudates containing cellular debris, necrotic masses and green mold colonies. Multiple nodules were observed in the liver, spleen and gastrointestinal tract as well. Histopathologically, there were conidial heads and fungal hyphae in the air sacs and multifocal necrotic and granulomatous lesions with septated and dichotomously branched hyphae in various tissues, which were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and Grocott's methenamine silver nitrate. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated in various tissues taken from affected ostriches.
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PMID:Outbreak of severe disseminated aspergillosis in a flock of ostrich (Struthio camelus). 1842 19

Soman (O-pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate) is a potent neurotoxicant. Acute exposure to soman causes acetylcholinesterase inhibition, resulting in excessive levels of acetylcholine. Excessive acetylcholine levels cause convulsions, seizures, and respiratory distress. The initial cholinergic crisis can be overcome by rapid anticholinergic therapeutic intervention, resulting in increased survival. However, conventional treatments do not protect the brain from seizure-related damage, and thus, neurodegeneration of soman-sensitive brain areas is a potential postexposure outcome. We performed gene expression profiling of the rat hippocampus following soman exposure to gain greater insight into the molecular pathogenesis of soman-induced neurodegeneration. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with the oxime HI-6 (l-(((4-aminocarbonyl)pyridinio)methoxyl)methyl)-2-((hydroxyimino)methyl)-pyridinium dichloride; 125 mg/kg, ip) 30 min prior to challenge with soman (180 microg/kg, sc). One minute after soman challenge, animals were treated with atropine methyl nitrate (2.0 mg/kg, im). Hippocampi were harvested 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 168 h after soman exposure and RNA extracted to generate microarray probes for gene expression profiling. Principal component analysis of the microarray data revealed a progressive alteration in gene expression profiles beginning 1 h postexposure and continuing through 24 h postexposure. At 48 h to 168 h postexposure, the gene expression profiles clustered nearer to controls but did not completely return to control profiles. On the basis of the principal component analysis, analysis of variance was used to identify the genes most significantly changed as a result of soman at each postexposure time point. To gain insight into the biological relevance of these gene expression changes, genes were rank ordered by p-value and categorized using gene ontology-based algorithms into biological functions, canonical pathways, and gene networks significantly affected by soman. Numerous signaling and inflammatory pathways were identified as perturbed by soman. These data provide important insights into the molecular pathways involved in soman-induced neuropathology and a basis for generating hypotheses about the mechanism of soman-induced neurodegeneration.
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PMID:Gene expression profiling of rat hippocampus following exposure to the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor soman. 1928 Dec 66

Different isoforms of nitric oxide (NO) synthase are critically involved in the development of pulmonary failure secondary to acute lung injury. Here we tested the hypothesis that simultaneous blockade of inducible and neuronal NO synthase effectively prevents the pulmonary lesions in an ovine model of acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by combined burn and smoke inhalation injury. Chronically instrumented sheep were allocated to a sham-injured group (n = 6), an injured and untreated group (n = 6), or an injured group treated with simultaneous infusion of selective inducible and neuronal NO synthase inhibitors (n = 5). The injury was induced by 48 breaths of cotton smoke and a third-degree burn of 40% total body surface area. All sheep were mechanically ventilated and fluid resuscitated. The injury induced severe pulmonary dysfunction as indicated by decreases in PaO2/FiO2 ratio and increases in pulmonary shunt fraction, ventilatory pressures, lung lymph flow, and lung wet/dry weight ratio. The treatment fully prevented the elevations in lymph and plasma nitrate/nitrite levels, pulmonary shunting, ventilatory pressures, lung lymph flow, and wet/dry weight ratio and significantly attenuated the decline in PaO2/FiO2 ratio. In conclusion, simultaneous blockade of inducible and neuronal NO synthase exerts beneficial pulmonary effects in an ovine model of acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to combined burn and smoke inhalation injury. This novel treatment strategy may represent a useful therapeutic adjunct for patients with these injuries.
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PMID:Beneficial effects of concomitant neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibition in ovine burn and inhalation injury. 2157 85

For patients with acute heart failure and dyspnoea due to pulmonary congestion, the risk of death in the short term is high. To determine how best to manage these patients, we reviewed the relevant literature using the standard Prescrire methodology. There are few reliable clinical trial data. None of the available drugs has been shown to improve survival. Loop diuretics such as furosemide improve some haemodynamic parameters and dyspnoea due to congestion, i.e., water and salt retention. The dose is adjusted on the basis of clinical response, renal status and previous use of a loop diuretic, especially in chronic heart failure. The main adverse effects of loop diuretics are hypotension, hyponatraemia, hypokalaemia, renal failure and ototoxicity. Compared with repeated injections, continuous infusion seems to carry a lower risk of death and ototoxicity. High doses are associated with excess mortality. Nitrate derivatives such as trinitrine and isosorbide dinitrate are vasodilators. Only intravenous administration has been assessed in acute heart failure. These drugs improve certain haemodynamic parameters, reduce blood pressure and increase coronary flow.Their effect declines rapidly above a certain dose in about 20% of patients. They seem to improve dyspnoea and, according to a difficult-to-interpret trial of isosorbide dinitrate, may reduce the risk of myocardial infarction. There is no firm evidence that nitrate derivatives improve survival in patients with acute heart failure, but they reduce mortality in patients with myocardial infarction, a frequent cause of acute heart failure. The main adverse effect of nitrate derivatives is hypotension, meaning that these drugs should not be used when blood pressure is low and that blood pressure should be closely monitored during treatment. Randomised trials of another vasodilator, nesiritide, showed excess mortality at 30 days. There are no such trials of nitrate derivatives. In patients with cardiogenic shock, inotropes (mainly dopamine, dobutamine and milrinone) improve symptoms and haemodynamic parameters but may increase mortality.These drugs carry a risk of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias and tachycardia. Their use requires continuous monitoring in an intensive care unit. Cardiac glycosides, including digoxin, have been used empirically in acute heart failure. The use of digoxin is mentioned in only one clinical practice guideline, in patients with atrial fibrillation and a rapid heart rate. Its narrow therapeutic margin and its frequent interactions with other drugs make digoxin difficult to use. Oxygen is usually recommended in case of hypoxaemia but its clinical value has not been assessed comparatively in acute heart failure. In some trials, routine oxygen delivery, without taking into account the degree of hypoxia, appeared to be harmful in patients with myocardial infarction. Non-invasive ventilation has been assessed in several comparative randomised trials, in which it was found to improve some physiological parameters. In a trial in 1069 patients, it had no impact on mortality at 30 days, or on the need for endotracheal intubation. It is not appropriate for patients with respiratory distress necessitating intubation, or with altered consciousness, severe dementia, major anxiety. It is often poorly tolerated. Its main adverse effects are aggravation of right heart failure, pneumothorax, and aspiration of gastric contents. Early treatment probably improves outcome. Clinical practice guidelines recommend urgent hospitalisation of patients with acute heart failure. In summary, the choice of initial treatment for patients with acute heart failure and dyspnoea depends largely on blood pressure.Treatment is mainly based on loop diuretics, nitrate derivatives (when blood pressure is not too low) and non-invasive ventilation. It should be emphasised that these patients are highly unstable and that there is a narrow margin between beneficial and harmful effects of available treatments. Patients receiving treatment should always be closely monitored.
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PMID:Acute heart failure with dyspnoea: initial treatment. Furosemide and trinitrine, despite the lack of a proven survival benefit. 2167 8


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