Oxygen Regulates Tissue Nitrite Metabolism (original) (raw)
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Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2008
Although nitrite (NO 2 ؊ ) and nitrate (NO 3 ؊ ) have been considered traditionally inert byproducts of nitric oxide (NO) metabolism, recent studies indicate that NO 2 ؊ represents an important source of NO for processes ranging from angiogenesis through hypoxic vasodilation to ischemic organ protection. Despite intense investigation, the mechanisms through which NO 2 ؊ exerts its physiological/pharmacological effects remain incompletely understood. We sought to systematically investigate the fate of NO 2 ؊ in hypoxia from cellular uptake in vitro to tissue utilization in vivo using the Wistar rat as a mammalian model. We find that most tissues (except erythrocytes) produce free NO at rates that are maximal under hypoxia and that correlate robustly with each tissue's capacity for mitochondrial oxygen consumption. By comparing the kinetics of NO release before and after ferricyanide addition in tissue homogenates to mathematical models of NO 2 ؊ reduction/NO scavenging, we show that the amount of nitrosylated products formed greatly exceeds what can be accounted for by NO trapping. This difference suggests that such products are formed directly from NO 2 ؊ , without passing through the intermediacy of free NO. Inhibitor and subcellular fractionation studies indicate that NO 2 ؊ reductase activity involves multiple redundant enzymatic systems (i.e. heme, iron-sulfur cluster, and molybdenumbased reductases) distributed throughout different cellular compartments and acting in concert to elicit NO signaling. These observations hint at conserved roles for the NO 2 ؊ -NO pool in cellular processes such as oxygen-sensing and oxygen-dependent modulation of intermediary metabolism.
Tissue Processing of Nitrite in Hypoxia
Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2008
Although nitrite (NO 2 ؊ ) and nitrate (NO 3 ؊ ) have been considered traditionally inert byproducts of nitric oxide (NO) metabolism, recent studies indicate that NO 2 ؊ represents an important source of NO for processes ranging from angiogenesis through hypoxic vasodilation to ischemic organ protection. Despite intense investigation, the mechanisms through which NO 2 ؊ exerts its physiological/pharmacological effects remain incompletely understood. We sought to systematically investigate the fate of NO 2 ؊ in hypoxia from cellular uptake in vitro to tissue utilization in vivo using the Wistar rat as a mammalian model. We find that most tissues (except erythrocytes) produce free NO at rates that are maximal under hypoxia and that correlate robustly with each tissue's capacity for mitochondrial oxygen consumption. By comparing the kinetics of NO release before and after ferricyanide addition in tissue homogenates to mathematical models of NO 2 ؊ reduction/NO scavenging, we show that the amount of nitrosylated products formed greatly exceeds what can be accounted for by NO trapping. This difference suggests that such products are formed directly from NO 2 ؊ , without passing through the intermediacy of free NO. Inhibitor and subcellular fractionation studies indicate that NO 2 ؊ reductase activity involves multiple redundant enzymatic systems (i.e. heme, iron-sulfur cluster, and molybdenumbased reductases) distributed throughout different cellular compartments and acting in concert to elicit NO signaling. These observations hint at conserved roles for the NO 2 ؊ -NO pool in cellular processes such as oxygen-sensing and oxygen-dependent modulation of intermediary metabolism.
A mammalian functional nitrate reductase that regulates nitrite and nitric oxide homeostasis
Nature Chemical Biology, 2008
Inorganic nitrite (NO 2 -) is emerging as a regulator of physiological functions and tissue responses to ischemia, whereas the more stable nitrate anion (NO 3 -) is generally considered to be biologically inert. Bacteria express nitrate reductases that produce nitrite, but mammals lack these specific enzymes. Here we report on nitrate reductase activity in rodent and human tissues that results in formation of nitrite and nitric oxide (NO) and is attenuated by the xanthine oxidoreductase inhibitor allopurinol. Nitrate administration to normoxic rats resulted in elevated levels of circulating nitrite that were again attenuated by allopurinol. Similar effects of nitrate were seen in endothelial NO synthase-deficient and germ-free mice, thereby excluding vascular NO synthase activation and bacteria as the source of nitrite. Nitrate pretreatment attenuated the increase in systemic blood pressure caused by NO synthase inhibition and enhanced blood flow during post-ischemic reperfusion. Our findings suggest a role for mammalian nitrate reduction in regulation of nitrite and NO homeostasis.
Current Drug Targets, 2011
Until recently, nitrite has been considered a stable and inert metabolite of nitric oxide ( • NO) metabolism. This view is now changing as it has been shown that nitrite can be reduced back to • NO and thus one may consider a reversible interaction regarding • NO:nitrite couple. Not only physiological regulatory actions have been assigned to nitrite but also may represent, in addition to nitrate, the largest • NO reservoir in the body. This notion has obvious importance when considering that • NO is a ubiquitous regulator of cell functions, ranging from neuromodulation to the regulation of vascular tone. Particularly in the stomach, following ingestion of nitrate and food or beverages-containing polyphenols, a rich chemistry occurs in which • NO, • NO-derived species and nitroso or nitrated derivatives may be formed. Most of these molecules may play an important role in vivo. For instance, it has been shown that polyphenol-catalyzed nitrite reduction to • NO may induce local vasodilation and that ethanol (from wine) reacts with • NO-derived species yielding nitroso derivatives endowed with • NO-donating properties. Thus, this review reveals new pathways for the biological effects of dietary nitrite encompassing its interaction with dietary components (polyphenols, red wine, lipids), yielding products with impact on human physiology and pathology, namely cardiovascular, urinary and gastrointestinal systems. Novel therapeutic strategies are therefore expected to follow the elucidation of the mechanisms of nitrite biology.
Plasma nitrite reflects constitutive nitric oxide synthase activity in mammals
Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 2003
Changes in plasma nitrite concentration in the human forearm circulation have recently been shown to reflect acute changes in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-activity. Whether basal plasma nitrite is a general marker of constitutive NOS-activity in vivo is yet unclear. Due to the rapid metabolism of nitrite in blood and the difficulties in its analytical determination literature data on levels of nitrite in mammals are largely inconsistent. We hypothesized that constitutive NOS-activity in the circulatory system is relatively uniform throughout the mammalian kingdom. If true, this should result in comparable systemic plasma nitrite levels in different species. Using three different analytical approaches we determined plasma nitrite concentration to be in a nanomolar range in a variety of species: humans (305 Ϯ 23 nmol/l), monkeys (367 Ϯ 62 nmol/l), minipigs (319 Ϯ 24 nmol/l), dogs (305 Ϯ 50 nmol/l), rabbits (502 Ϯ 21 nmol/l), guinea pigs (412 Ϯ 44 nmol/l), rats (191 Ϯ 43 nmol/l), and mice (457 Ϯ 51 nmol/l). Application of different NOS-inhibitors in humans, minipigs, and dogs decreased NOS-activity and thereby increased vascular resistance. This was accompanied by a significant, up to 80%, decrease in plasma nitrite concentration. A comparison of plasma nitrite concentrations between eNOS(Ϫ/Ϫ) and NOS-inhibited wild-type mice revealed that 70 Ϯ 5% of plasma nitrite is derived from eNOS. These results provide evidence for a uniform constitutive vascular NOS-activity across mammalian species.
AJP: Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 2006
Accumulating evidence suggests that the simple and ubiquitous anion salt, nitrite (NO 2 -), is a physiological signaling molecule, with potential roles in intravascular endocrine nitric oxide (NO) transport, hypoxic vasodilation, signaling, and cytoprotection following ischemia-reperfusion. Human and animal studies of nitrite treatment and NO gas inhalation provide evidence that nitrite mediates many of the systemic therapeutic effects of NO gas inhalation, including peripheral vasodilation and prevention of ischemiareperfusion-mediated tissue infarction. With regards to nitrite-dependent hypoxic signaling, biochemical and physiological studies suggest that hemoglobin possesses an allosterically regulated nitrite reductase activity that reduces nitrite to NO along the physiological oxygen gradient, potentially contributing to hypoxic vasodilation. An expanded consideration of nitrite as a hypoxia-dependent intrinsic signaling molecule has opened up a new field of research and therapeutic opportunities for diseases associated with regional hypoxia and vasoconstriction.
Nitric oxide synthase reduces nitrite to NO under anoxia
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 2006
Cultured bEND.3 endothelial cells show a marked increase in NO production when subjected to anoxia, even though the normal arginine pathway of NO formation is blocked due to absence of oxygen. The rate of anoxic NO production exceeds basal unstimulated NO synthesis in normoxic cells. The anoxic release of NO is mediated by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), can be abolished by inhibitors of NOS and is accompanied by consumption of intracellular nitrite. The anoxic NO release is unaffected by the xanthine oxidase inhibitor oxypurinol. The phenomenon is attributed to anoxic reduction of intracellular nitrite by eNOS, and its magnitude and duration suggests that the nitrite reductase activity of eNOS is relevant for fast NO delivery in hypoxic vascular tissues.
Nitrite Infusion in Humans and Nonhuman Primates
Circulation, 2007
Background— The recent discovery that nitrite is an intrinsic vasodilator and signaling molecule at near-physiological concentrations has raised the possibility that nitrite contributes to hypoxic vasodilation and to the bioactivity of nitroglycerin and mediates the cardiovascular protective effects of nitrate in the Mediterranean diet. However, important questions of potency, kinetics, mechanism of action, and possible induction of tolerance remain unanswered. Methods and Results— In the present study, we performed biochemical, physiological, and pharmacological studies using nitrite infusion protocols in 20 normal human volunteers and in nonhuman primates to answer these questions, and we specifically tested 3 proposed mechanisms of bioactivation: reduction to nitric oxide by xanthine oxidoreductase, nonenzymatic disproportionation, and reduction by deoxyhemoglobin. We found that (1) nitrite is a relatively potent and fast vasodilator at near-physiological concentrations; (2) nitr...