The efflux of nitro oxide (NO) in the duration of storing red blood cells (RBCs) was the main reason resulting in decrease and even loss of vasodilatory activity, cell deformability and ability of carrying oxygen (O2) in the stored RBCs. The deep understanding physical functions and acting ways of NO in circulatory system, as well as transformations and balance control of S-Nitrosohemoglobin (SNO-Hb) has an important significance for ensuring sure safety and efficacy of transfusion. In this article, the physical functions, acting ways, retaining and transferring form of nitro oxide, and SNO-Hb adjusting, as well as effects of SNO-Hb concentration on change on stored red blood cells were reviewed.
Erythrocytes ; metabolism ; physiology ; Hemoglobins ; biosynthesis ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism

Skin wound healing is an organized process for keeping cutaneous integrity, which needs the complicated interaction between inflammatory cells and biochemical mediators. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms, as important factors during skin wound healing, synthesize nitric oxide (NO) which may be involved in the whole event of skin wound healing and play important roles in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, angiogenesis, matrix deposits and remolding. Furthermore, NO also exerts effects in some cutaneous diseases. In the present paper, the expressions of NOS isoforms and the roles of NO during skin wound healing were reviewed with references to the advances in the studies on skin wound healing. It is suggested that nitric oxide synthases, play significant parts during skin wound healing, which is worthy of further investigation.
Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Isoenzymes/metabolism* ; Nitric Oxide/physiology* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase/metabolism* ; Skin/pathology* ; Wound Healing/physiology*

BACKGROUNDThe form deprivation (FD) reduces spatial contrasts and induces myopia. Nitric oxide and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) are involved in visual signal transmission. This study investigated changes in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and cGMP concentration in ocular tissues in acute and chronic form deprivation myopia.

METHODSGuinea pigs had one eye covered by translucent glass for 7, 14 or 21 days. Untreated litter mates were used as controls. NOS activity and cGMP concentrations in the retinal, choroidal and scleral tissues of FD eyes and control eyes were analyzed by radioimmunoassay after various durations of FD. The expression of NOS subtypes was identified by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSMyopia was successfully induced in FD eyes after 14 days. Compared with control groups, the retinal NOS activity and cGMP concentrations in the FD eyes significantly increased after 14 and 21 days while the retinal NOS activity in the FD eyes was transiently suppressed by 7 days of FD. The NOS activity and cGMP concentrations of choroid and sclera in the FD eyes were higher than in the control groups at 21 days. The three isoenzymes of nitric oxide synthase were detected in the ocular tissues of guinea pigs.

CONCLUSIONSThe NOS activity and cGMP concentrations were upregulated after chronic FD and the retinal NOS activity was transiently suppressed at acute FD. The function of elevated NOS activity may be mediated by cGMP.

Animals ; Cyclic GMP ; analysis ; Guinea Pigs ; Immunohistochemistry ; Myopia ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; physiology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Refractive Errors ; Retina ; metabolism

The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in erectile physiology by correlating its action with the existence and activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which produces NO. We applied Western blot analysis in both human and rat penile tissue. In the rat, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase staining and spectrophotometric assay were also performed, in addition to in vivo electroerection study with pharmacological manipulation. Western blot analysis identified a protein of 155 KDa identical to the neural form of NOS in the human and rat penis. The NOS blot densities in the two species were similar, and both were lower than that in the rat cerebellum. Histochemical staining localized NOS to neurons innervating the corpora cavernosa, including the pelvic plexus, the cavernosal nerves and their terminal fibers within the corporeal erectile tissue, and dorsal penile nerves. NOS activity was also found in the cerebellum, urethra, penis, and urinary bladder, in decreasing order of intensity. Intracavernous injections of NOS inhibitor (L-NOARG or L-NAME in concentrations from 10(-6) M to 10(-3) M suppressed electrostimulation-induced erection in a concentration-dependent manner. Subsequent intracavernous injection of L-Arginine (10(-2) M) partially restored the erection. The neural form of constitutive NOS in the corpora cavernosa synthesizes NO, which mediates penile erection. Determination of cavernosal NOS expression or activity may permit characterization of certain pathological conditions that cause impotence.
Animal ; Human ; Male ; Nitric Oxide/physiology* ; Nitric-Oxide Synthase/metabolism ; Penile Erection/physiology* ; Penis/enzymology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the growth and development of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-positive neurons in the cerebellum of human fetus in the midanaphase.

METHODThe positive expression of the NOS-positive neurons in the cerebellum of midanaphase human fetus was observed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSBy the sixth to seventh month of gestation, NOS-positive neurons were seen in the ependymal layer of the cerebellum. The nucleus was oval-shaped and the neurons had short and small processes. By the eighth to ninth month, NOS-positive neurons were found in the central layer of the cerebellum and the nucleus was round-, oval-, or fusiform-shaped; meanwhile, the neurons grew larger in size with richer cytoplast and heavier staining. The beaded nerve fibers reached the marginal layer and the layer became thickened on the tenth month, which generally was composed of 5 to 6 layers of NOS-positive neurons that were tightly aligned. Some NOS-positive neurons were in smaller size with the cell body and the nerve fibers grew well.

CONCLUSIONNitric oxide generated by NOS of the NOS-positive neurons in the cerebellum plays an important role in the differentiation, proliferation, and migration of neurons and gliacytes.

Cerebellar Cortex ; Fetus ; physiology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Nerve Fibers ; Neurons ; cytology ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I

To determine the relationship between the urinary endothelin (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO) levels and the clinical, pathologic types of primary glomerulonephritis (GN) patients, urinary levels of ET-1 and NO were detected in 27 patients with biopsy-proven primary GN and 12 normal controls by radioimmunoassay and by copper-plated and cadmium column reduction assay, respectively. The results showed that urinary ET-1 levels in the patients with primary GN were significantly higher than in normal controls (p < 0.01), while the urinary ET-1 levels in patients with moderate mesangial proliferation GN were significantly higher than those in patients with mild mesangial proliferation GN (p < 0.05). Urinary ET-1 levels in patients whose clinical feature was nephrotic syndrome were found to be higher than in patients whose clinical feature was nephritic syndrome. However, urinary NO levels were to the contrary (p < 0.05). The ratio of ET-1/NO in primary GN patients was significantly higher than that in normal controls, and it positively correlated with the 24-hour urinary excretion of protein. These results suggest that urinary ET-1 levels are related to the proliferation of mesangial cells. The imbalance between ET-1 and NO may be related to the pathogenesis of primary GN and the occurrence of proteinuria.
Adolescence ; Adult ; Endothelin-1/urine* ; Endothelin-1/physiology ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis/urine* ; Glomerulonephritis/etiology ; Human ; Male ; Middle Age ; Nitric Oxide/urine* ; Nitric Oxide/physiology ; Nitric-Oxide Synthase/metabolism

The expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in the ovaries of pigs was examined to study the involvement of nitric oxide, a product of NOS activity, in the function of the ovary. Western blot analysis detected three types of NOS in the ovary, including constitutive neuronal NOS (nNOS), endothelial NOS (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS); eNOS immunoreactivity was more intense compared with that of iNOS or nNOS. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated the presence of nNOS and eNOS in the surface epithelium, stroma, oocytes, thecal cells, and endothelial cells of blood vessels. Positive immunoreactions for nNOS and iNOS were detected in the granulosa cells from multilaminar and antral follicles, but not in those of unilaminar follicles. iNOS was detected in the surface epithelium, oocytes, and theca of multilaminar and antral follicles. Taking all of the findings into consideration, the observed differential expression of the three NOS isoforms in the ovary suggests a role for nitric oxide in modulating reproduction in pigs.
Animals ; Blotting, Western/veterinary ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry/veterinary ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/*biosynthesis ; Nitric Oxide/metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase/*biosynthesis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; Ovarian Follicle/*enzymology/growth&development ; Swine/*physiology

BACKGROUNDTo date, there have been no reports on altered nitric oxide (NO) content in ischemia/reperfusion with regard to in vivo preconditioning procedures. These studies are important for understanding the mechanisms of NO during early myocardial ischemic preconditioning. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms of NO during early myocardial ischemic preconditioning by measuring levels of NO and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), as well as activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in ischemia/reperfusion with respect to preconditioning in rats.

METHODSSixty-six female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: ischemic preconditioning group (IP), ischemia/reperfusion group (I/R), control group (CON), and preconditioning procedure group (PC). In the PC group, rats were further divided into PC1-, PC1 +, PC2-, PC2 +, PC3-, and PC3 + subgroups. Rats underwent left coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion, and subsequently, NOS activity and levels were assessed with spectrophotometric analysis. cGMP contents were measured with radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSThe level of NO and cGMP, as well as the activity of NOS, were significantly higher in the IP group compared to the I/R and CON groups (P < 0.05). During preconditioning prior to prolonged ischemia, NO and cGMP levels varied markedly with ischemia and reperfusion. The levels of NO repeatedly increased when the heart was exposed to three episodes of 5-minute ischemia, and were almost completely reversed during each reperfusion period. NO and cGMP levels were significantly different between the 5-minute period of ischemia and the same period of reperfusion during preconditioning.

CONCLUSIONSNO plays an important role during early phase myocardial ischemic preconditioning in rats. NO and cGMP could be triggers and mediators of early phase myocardial ischemic preconditioning. Altered NOS activity following ischemic stress could be the primary inducer of higher NO levels detected. NO and cGMP fluctuations might be the trigger for protection during early phase myocardial ischemic preconditioning.

Animals ; Cyclic GMP ; analysis ; Female ; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; physiology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

In practice of forensic medicine, potential disease can be associated with fatal asphyxia in restraint position. Research has demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) are plentifully distributed in skeletal muscle, contributing to the regulation of contractile and relaxation. In the current study, respiratory functions, indices of diaphragmatic biomechanical functions ex vivo, as well as NO levels in serum, the expressions of diaphragmatic inducible NOS (iNOS) mRNA, and the effects of L-NNA on contractility of the diaphragm were observed in sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) under the condition of restraint position. The results showed that in the CLP12-18h rats, respiratory dysfunctions; indices of diaphragmatic biomechanical functions (Pt, +dT/dt(max), -dT/dt(max), CT, Po, force over the full range of the force-frequency relationship and fatigue resistance) declined progressively; the NO level in serum, and iNOS mRNA expression in the diaphragm increased progressively; force increased significantly at all stimulation frequencies after L-NNA pre-incubation. Restraint position 1 h in CLP12 h rats resulted in severe respiratory dysfunctions after relative stable respiratory functions, almost all the indices of diaphragmatic biomechanical functions declined further, whereas little change took place in NO level in serum and diaphragmatic iNOS mRNA expression; and the effects of L-NNA were lack of statistical significance compared with those of CLP12 h, but differed from CLP18 h group. These results suggest that restraint position and sepsis act together in a synergistic manner to aggravate the great reduction of diaphragmatic contractility via, at least in part, the negative modulation of NO, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of positional asphyxia.
Animals ; Asphyxia ; Diaphragm/physiology* ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Nitric Oxide/metabolism* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Rats ; Respiration Disorders ; Restraint, Physical ; Sepsis

Nitric oxide (NO) is a short-life free radical that acts as the small biological molecule, and exists in body extensively. Since its discovery over 20 years ago, NO has been found to play an important regulation role in angiogenesis, nerve and immune system. The subsequent studies also showed that NO exerted an important biological action in wound repairing and healing, which involved in the following phases of wound repair, inflammation, cell proliferation, matrix deposition and remodeling. This paper reviews recent findings from in vitro & in vivo studies of NO in wound repair, and the biological function and mechanisms of NO in wound repair.
Animals ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; physiology ; therapeutic use ; Wound Healing ; drug effects ; physiology