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Peroxynitrite (ONOO-), which is formed from the reaction of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O2-), has been suggested to be responsible for some of the cytotoxic effects of these molecules. When protonated, ONOO- gives rise to hydroxyl (OH.) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) radicals, which are capable of inducing tissue damage. We have investigated the effects of ONOO- on human platelets in vitro in order to explore the potential of this oxidant to contribute to tissue damage. ONOO- caused aggregation of washed platelets and reversed the inhibition of aggregation induced by S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP), prostacyclin, and indomethacin. However, in platelet-rich plasma, ONOO- not only did not possess proaggregatory properties but acted as an inhibitor of platelet aggregation. This reversal of the aggregatory effect of ONOO- could also be achieved in washed platelets by adding low concentrations of plasma, human serum albumin, or glutathione and was inhibited by hemoglobin. An analysis of the reaction products of ONOO- and glutathione revealed the presence of both NO and S-nitrosoglutathione in quantities sufficient to account for the antiaggregatory effects observed. Thus the fate and therefore the actions of ONOO- in biological systems are critically dependent on the biological environment in which this oxidant is present.

Vascular endothelial cells contain a constitutive nitric oxide (NO) synthase that is Ca2(+)-dependent. In addition, we have found that these cells express, after activation with interferon-gamma and lipopolysaccharide, an inducible Ca2(+)-independent NO synthase that is distinct from the constitutive enzyme. The generation of NO by this enzyme was detectable after a lag period of 2 hr, reached a maximum between 6 and 12 hr, and was maintained for the duration of the experiment (48 hr). The expression of the inducible NO synthase was inhibited by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, a compound that had no direct effect on the activity of either of the two enzymes. Furthermore, hydrocortisone and dexamethasone, but not progesterone, inhibited the expression of the inducible enzyme, without directly affecting the activity of either enzyme, without directly affecting the activity of either enzyme. The effect of these steroids was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by cortexolone, a partial agonist of glucocorticoid receptors. Thus, the inhibition of the induction of an NO synthase by glucocorticoids is a receptor-mediated event involving the inhibition of the synthesis of mRNA for de novo synthesis of this enzyme. The induction of this NO synthase may contribute to the pathophysiology of immunologically based conditions. Furthermore, the inhibition of this induction by anti-inflammatory steroids may explain some of the therapeutic and adverse effects of these compounds.

Five normal male volunteers performed two intermittent weight lifting exercises of equal total external work output and duration (20 min) with identical work-rest intervals but different load and frequency of movements. Exercise I consisted of seven sets of seven vertical leg lifts at 85% of the subject's Seven Repetition Maximum (SRM) and, 5 days later, seven sets of 21 vertical leg lifts with one-third of the previously used load (Exercise II). Blood was sampled throughout the exercise and recovery periods for growth hormone, lactate, and glucose analysis. Growth hormone increased after 20 min of Exercise I to a peak during the recovery period. Significantly elevated growth hormone (GH) levels were found 5, 10, and 15 min (P<0.025,P<0.05,P<0.025 respectively) of recovery after Exercise I. No significant elevations of GH occurred in Exercise II. Significant linear correlations (r=0.99,P<0.01) with a time lag of 16 min were found between lactate and GH levels in Exercise I (lactate increases preceded those of GH). No significant differences in plasma glucose concentrations were detected. The results suggests that in intermittent weight lifting exercises of equal total external work output and duration as well as identical work-rest intervals, the load and/or frequency of an exercise are determinant factors in the regulation of plasma GH levels.

Human megakaryoblastic cells (Meg-01) were found to possess constitutive and express inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase activities. The constitutive NO synthase was Ca+(+)- and NADPH-dependent, as is the NO synthase found previously in human platelets. Stimulation of Meg-01 cells by the cytokines interleukin-1 beta (0.15-32.5 ng/ml) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (0.15-10 ng/ml) resulted in expression of the inducible, Ca+(+)-independent, NO synthase. This activity was increased by the addition of NADPH, tetrahydrobiopterin and sepiapterin as cofactors. Induction of this enzyme was accompanied by a decrease in the constitutive NO synthase activity, a phenomenon which was prevented or reversed by dexamethasone (1 microM). Thus, human early differentiated megakaryocytic cells can synthesize NO from L-arginine by both the constitutive and the inducible NO synthases. These findings indicate that these enzymes may play an important biological role in megakaryocyte and platelet functions.

The L-arginine:nitric oxide (NO) pathway is believed to exert many of its physiological effects via stimulation of the soluble guanylyl cyclase (SGC); however, the lack of a selective inhibitor of this enzyme has prevented conclusive demonstration of this mechanism of action. We have found that the compound 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3,-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) inhibits the elevation of cGMP induced by the NO donor S-nitroso-DL-penicillamine in human platelets and rat vascular smooth muscle (IC50 = 10-60 nM and <10 nM, respectively) and that this is accompanied by prevention of the platelet inhibitory and vasodilator actions of NO donors. ODQ also inhibited the antiaggregatory action of NO generated by the platelets but did not affect the action of prostacyclin or that of a cGMP mimetic. In addition, ODQ inhibited the vasodilator actions of endogenously released NO and of NO generated after induction of NO synthase in vascular preparations. It did not, however, affect the increase in vascular smooth muscle cGMP or the dilatation induced by atrial natriuretic factor. ODQ had no effect on NO synthase activity, nor did it react with NO. It did, however, potently (IC50 approximately 10 nM) inhibit the activity of the SGC in cytosol obtained from crude extract of rat aortic smooth muscle. Thus ODQ prevents the actions of NO on platelets and vascular smooth muscle through its potent inhibitory effect on the SGC.

Aggregation of human washed platelets with collagen is accompanied by a concentration-dependent increase in cyclic GMP but not cyclic AMP. NG-Monomethyl-L-arginine (L-MeArg), a selective inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis from L-arginine, reduces this increase and enhances aggregation. L-Arginine, which has no effect on the basal levels of cyclic GMP, augments the increase in this nucleotide induced by collagen and also inhibits aggregation. Both of these effects of L-arginine are attenuated by L-MeArg. The anti-aggregatory action of L-arginine is potentiated by prostacyclin and by M&B22948, a selective inhibitor of the cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase, but not by HL725, a selective inhibitor of the cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. L-Arginine also inhibits platelet aggregation in whole blood in a similar manner, although the concentrations required are considerably higher. L-Arginine stimulates the soluble guanylate cyclase and increases cyclic GMP in platelet cytosol. This stimulation is dependent on NADPH and Ca2+ and is associated with the formation of NO. Both the formation of NO and the stimulation of the soluble guanylate cyclase induced by L-arginine are enantiomer specific and abolished by L-MeArg. Thus, human platelets contain an NO synthase which is activated when platelets are stimulated. The consequent generation of NO modulates platelet reactivity by increasing cyclic GMP. Changes in the activity of this pathway in platelets may have physiological, pathophysiological, and therapeutic significance.

The effects of the oxidant species peroxynitrite (ONOO-) on coronary perfusion pressure and vasodilatation elicited by acetylcholine, isoproterenol, and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine were investigated in the isolated perfused rat heart. ONOO- (0.3-1000 microM) caused a concentration-dependent vasodilatation of the coronary vasculature. This dilator response was inhibited by oxyhemoglobin, indicating that it was due to the generation of nitric oxide. Tachyphylaxis to ONOO- developed rapidly, so that the response disappeared after three or four applications of this compound. ONOO- not only induced tachyphylaxis but also inhibited the vasodilatation induced by the three vasodilators studied. This latter effect of ONOO- was critically dependent on its concentration, since it occurred at 3 microM, which was subthreshold as a dilator, and at 1000 microM, which was supramaximal, but not at 30 and 100 microM. These latter concentrations inhibited the responses to vasodilators only in the presence of oxyhemoglobin. Thus, a wide range of concentrations of ONOO- induce a vascular dysfunction, as evidenced by the tachyphylaxis to its own vasodilator actions and the long-lasting impairment of the responses to other vasodilators. However, at the same time ONOO- generates nitric oxide, which at certain concentrations of ONOO- is sufficient to counteract its deleterious action. Coinfusion of S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine or prostacyclin at low concentrations that did not produce vasodilatation also protected against ONOO(-)-induced vascular dysfunction: these compounds may be protective through a common mechanism, as yet undefined.

In this study we investigated the effect of oral contraceptive (OC) use (OCU) and non-use (OCNU) on growth hormone (GH) responses to exercise in the same females ( n?=?7, age 22–31 years) during the normal course of OC therapy. Continuous (60% maximum oxygen consumption, V?O 2max for 20?min) and intermittent exercise (>80% V?O 2max) protocols of equal total duration, and similar external work were performed during phases of OCNU (days 3–5 of the menstrual cycle) and OCU (days 7–11). Levels of GH, lactate, 17 ß-estradiol, and progesterone were measured. Lactate responses were significantly greater ( P?

The influence of interferon (IFN)-gamma on vasodilation was examined in bovine isolated mesenteric arteries. Arterial rings were incubated with IFN-gamma (100 U ml-1) for 20 hr and subsequently the response to vasodilators was determined isometrically in an organ bath. Treatment with IFN-gamma markedly inhibited endothelium-dependent relaxation to bradykinin and impaired vasodilation to nitroprusside, which was endothelium-independent. The decrease in relaxation was correlated with a decrease in bradykinin- and nitroprusside-induced cGMP production. Relaxation to the phosphodiesterase inhibitors 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine or zaprinast was not altered after IFN-gamma, which suggests that the IFN-gamma effect is specific for guanylate cyclase-activating agonists. Nitrite concentration in the incubation medium was increased after IFN-gamma, which indicates the induction of nitric oxide release during the incubation period. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine during the 20-hr incubation with IFN-gamma completely prevented the decrease in relaxation and cGMP elevation to nitroprusside. We conclude that IFN-gamma induces a marked increase in release of arterial-derived nitric oxide resulting in a desensitization of guanylate cyclase, which contributes to a decrease in relaxation to bradykinin and nitroprusside. These results may implicate the existence of an important adaptive process in the regulation of vascular tone during pathological situations associated with the induction of nitric oxide synthesis.

Experiments on an isolated canal in the living animal have shown that blocking of the vascular supply results in a decrease in endolymph potassium concentration in this canal. In three hours of vascular blockade, the concentration falls to that of the surrounding perilymph. If the isolated canal has been filled with artificial perilymph and its vascular supply intact, the potassium concentration increases, indicating a selective ion-transport function of the canal epithelium which, under normal conditions, might contribute to maintaining the high potassium concentration of the endolymph in the canals as well as in the rest of the membranous labyrinth.

Summary Growth hormone (GH) and lactic acid levels were measured in five normal males before, during and after two different types of exercise of nearly equal total duration and work expenditure. Exercise I (aerobic) consisted of continuous cycling at 100 W for 20 min. Exercise II (anaerobic) was intermittent cycling for one minute at 285 W followed by two minutes of rest, this cycle being repeated seven times. Significant differences (P<0.01) were observed in lactic acid levels at the end of exercise protocols (20 min) between the aerobic (I) and anaerobic (II) exercises (1.96±0.33 mM·l-1 vs 9.22±0.41 mM·l-1, respectively). GH levels were higher in anaerobic exercise (II) than in aerobic (I) at the end of the exercise (20 min) (2.65±0.95 ?g·l-1 vs 0.8±0.4 ?g·l-1;P<0.10) and into the recovery period (30 min) (7.25±6.20 ?g·l-1 vs 2.5±2.9 ?g·l-1;P<0.05, respectively).