Nitric oxide: properties and therapeutic use

Nitric oxide ( NO) is a substance that acts as a second-messenger and is associated with a number of important physiological functions such as regulation of the vascular tonus, immune modulation and neurotransmission. As a physiological mediator, alteration of its concentration level may cause pathophysiological disfunctions such as hypertension, septic shock and impotence. Possible therapeutic approaches are being developed to control NO levels in vivo. We review herein the main physical and chemical properties of NO, its biological functions and available chemical interventions to reduce and increment its physiological concentration levels. Recent developments in the field are also highlighted.10461054Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Gastric tolerability and prolonged prostaglandin inhibition in the brain with a nitric oxide-releasing flurbiprofen derivative (NCX 2216, [3-[4-(2-fluoro-a-methyl[1,1-biphenyl]-4-acetyloxy)-3-methoxyphenyl]-2-propenoic acid 4-nitrooxybutyl

ABSTRACT NCX-2216 [3-[4-(2-fluoro-␣-methyl-[1,1Ј-biphenyl]-4-acetyloxy)-3-methoxyphenyl]-2-propenoic acid 4-nitrooxy butyl ester] is an NO-releasing flurbiprofen derivative that also contains a ferulic acid (antioxidant) moiety. NCX-2216 has been shown to be effective in reducing ␤-amyloid deposition in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The tolerability of this compound in the stomach and its ability to suppress prostaglandin synthesis in the brain are not known. The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of nitric oxide (NO) and ferulic acid to the pharmacological properties of NCX-2216 versus flurbiprofen; thus, we compared their gastric tolerability and suppression of prostaglandin synthesis, peripherally and centrally. Oral flurbiprofen produced extensive gastric damage and suppressed gastric prostaglandin synthesis. In contrast, while suppressing prostaglandin production, equimolar doses of NCX-2216 did not cause detectable gastric injury. The NO-releasing moiety of NCX-2216 (but not the ferulic acid moiety) was crucial for the gastric safety of this compound. NCX-2216 substantially inhibited prostanoid synthesis despite not being detectable in plasma and despite producing only low amounts of flurbiprofen in plasma and in the brain. Inhibition of brain prostaglandin synthesis by NCX-2216 (22 mg/ kg) persisted for a much longer period of time (up to 48 h) than was seen with flurbiprofen (Յ12 h). These results demonstrate that a single administration of NCX-2216 can produce prolonged suppression of brain prostaglandin synthesis without causing gastric injury. It is likely that an active metabolite of NCX-2216 contributes to the suppression of cyclooxygenase activity. NCX-2216 may represent an attractive alternative to conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for long-term treatment of a variety of inflammatory disorders, especially those occurring in the central nervous system

Daily cycling of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the hippocampus of pigeons (C. livia)

Background: Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is essential for the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), a non-conventional neurotransmitter with an important role in synaptic plasticity underlying processes of hippocampus-dependent memory and in the regulation of biological clocks and circadian rhythms. Many studies have shown that both the NOS cytosolic protein content and its enzymatic activity present a circadian variation in different regions of the rodent brain, including the hippocampus. The present study investigated the daily variation of NOS enzymatic activity and the cytosolic content of nNOS in the hippocampus of pigeons. Results: Adult pigeons kept under a skeleton photoperiod were assigned to six different groups. Homogenates of the hippocampus obtained at six different times-of-day were used for NOS analyses. Both iNOS activity and nNOS cytosolic protein concentrations were highest during the subjective light phase and lowest in the subjective dark phase of the circadian period. ANOVA showed significant time differences for iNOS enzymatic activity (p < 0.05) and for nNOS protein content (p < 0.05) in the hippocampus. A significant daily rhythm for both iNOS and nNOS was confirmed by analysis with the Cosinor method (p < 0.05). The present findings indicate that the enzymatic activity of iNOS and content of nNOS protein in the hippocampus of pigeons exhibit a daily rhythm, with acrophase values occurring during the behavioral activity phase. Conclusions: The data corroborate the reports on circadian variation of NOS in the mammalian hippocampus and can be considered indicative of a dynamic interaction between hippocampus-dependent processes and circadian clock mechanisms

Aedes aegypti salivary gland extract alleviates acute itching by blocking TRPA1 channels

Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) saliva induces a variety of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. Interestingly, although it is known that mosquito bites cause allergic reactions in sensitised hosts, the primary exposure of humans to Ae. aegypti does not evoke significant itching. Whether active components in the saliva of Ae. aegypti can counteract the normal itch reaction to injury produced by a histaminergic or non-histaminergic pathway in vertebrate hosts is unknown. This study investigated the effects of Ae. aegypti mosquito salivary gland extract (SGE) on sensitive reactions such as itching and associated skin inflammation. Acute pruritus and plasma extravasation were induced in mice by the intradermal injection of either compound 48/80 (C48/80), the Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor (Mrgpr) agonist chloroquine (CQ), or the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) agonist allyl isothiocyanate (AITC). The i.d. co-injection of Ae. aegypti SGE inhibited itching, plasma extravasation, and neutrophil influx evoked by C48/80, but it did not significantly affect mast cell degranulation in situ or in vitro. Additionally, SGE partially reduced CQ- and AITC-induced pruritus in vivo, suggesting that SGE affects pruriceptive nerve firing independently of the histaminergic pathway. Activation of TRPA1 significantly increased intracellular Ca2+ in TRPA-1-transfected HEK293t lineage, which was attenuated by SGE addition. We showed for the first time that Ae. aegypti SGE exerts anti-pruriceptive effects, which are partially regulated by the histamine-independent itch TRPA1 pathway. Thus, SGE may possess bioactive molecules with therapeutic potential for treating nonhistaminergic itch

Pharmacokinetic profile of two different pharmaceutical forms of theophylline (a slow release tablet and a syrup) after multiple dose administration to healthy human volunteers

Due to the narrow therapeutic range of theophyline, plasma concentrations of this drug are monitored in patients undergoing chronic therapy. Slow-release preparations avoid the fluctuations in plasma levels and improve patient compliance. In this study, we have compared the pharmacokinetic profiles of a theophylline slow-release tablet and a syrup form, when administered in multiple doses to healthy adult volunteers. The classification based upon releasing patterns is confirmed

Óxido nítrico: propriedades e potenciais usos terapêuticos Nitric oxide: properties and therapeutic use

Nitric oxide (•NO) is a substance that acts as a second-messenger and is associated with a number of important physiological functions such as regulation of the vascular tonus, immune modulation and neurotransmission. As a physiological mediator, alteration of its concentration level may cause pathophysiological disfunctions such as hypertension, septic shock and impotence. Possible therapeutic approaches are being developed to control NO levels in vivo. We review herein the main physical and chemical properties of •NO, its biological functions and available chemical interventions to reduce and increment its physiological concentration levels. Recent developments in the field are also highlighted

Vasorelaxant effects of a nitric oxide-releasing aspirin derivative in normotensive and hypertensive rats

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been reported to exacerbate hypertension and to interfere with the effectiveness of some anti-hypertensive therapies. In this study, we tested the effects of a gastric-sparing, nitric oxide-releasing derivative of aspirin (NCX-4016) on hypertension in rats. 2. Hypertension was induced by administering L-NAME in the drinking water (400 mg l(−1)). Groups of rats were treated daily with aspirin, NCX-4016 or vehicle. 3. NCX-4016 significantly reduced blood pressure relative to the aspirin-treated group over the 2-week period of treatment. Aspirin and, to a lesser extent, NCX-4016 suppressed whole blood thromboxane synthesis. 4. In anaesthetized rats, acute intravenous administration of NCX-4016 caused a significant fall in mean arterial pressure in hypertensive rats, but was devoid of such effects in normotensive controls. 5. In vitro, NCX-4016 relaxed phenylephrine-pre-contracted aortic rings obtained from both normotensive and hypertensive rats, and significantly reduced their responsiveness to the contractile effects of phenylephrine. 6. These results suggest that NCX-4016 reduces blood pressure in hypertensive rats, not simply through the direct vasodilatory actions of the nitric oxide released by this compound, but also through possible interference with the effects of endogenous pressor agents. These properties, added to its anti-thrombotic effects, suggest that NCX-4016 may be a safer alternative to aspirin for use by hypertensive patients