Nitric Oxide Correlation with Malondialdehyde and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme in Healthy Subjects and Patients with Thoracic Wounds

Byline: P. P. Golikov (1), N. Yu. Nikolaeva (1), B. V. Davydov (1), E. V. Klychnikova (1), A. N. Pogodina (1), E. B. Nikolaeva (1), M. M. Abakumov (1) Abstract: The correlations between nitric oxide products (NO.sub.x) and the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) were studied in the blood serum of patients with thoracic wounds (the test group) 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after the injury. The severity of a patient's state scored from 8 to 15 on the APACHE II scale. The control group comprised 20 blood donors. One day after wounding, NO.sub.x, MDA, and ACE activity significantly increased. Subsequently, NO.sub.x and ACE activity decreased, whereas MDA increased. A significant negative correlation was found between NO.sub.x and MDA, and a significant positive correlation, between NO.sub.x and ACE activity. The correlations observed in the control group were undetectable in the patients one day after wounding but were restored on the third day. Thus, thoracic injury was accompanied by an increase in NO.sub.x and MDA, which determine the severity of oxidative stress. The positive correlation between NO.sub.x and ACE activity in the control and test groups reflects their concerted action in regulating the physiological functions and metabolism. Author Affiliation: (1) Sklifosovskii Institute of Emergency Medical Care, Moscow, Russia Article History: Registration Date: 28/12/2004