US EPA

610161 

Journal Article 

Serial measurements of whole blood nitrite in an intensive care setting 

Kehmeier, ES; Kropp, M; Kleinbongard, P; Lauer, T; Balzer, J; Merx, MW; Heusch, G; Kelm, M; Lepper, W; Rassaf, T 

2008 

Yes 

Free Radical Biology and Medicine
ISSN: 0891-5849
EISSN: 1873-4596 

44 

11 

1945-1950 

English 

18374662 

10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2008.02.014 

WOS:000256146900008 

Abstract: Nitrite plays an eminent role in cardiovascular physiology and pathology, mediating hypoxic vasodilation, reducing ischemia–reperfusion injury, and regulating cardiac energetics and function. The role of circulating nitrite in critically ill patients has not been examined so far. To investigate whether whole blood nitrite can be determined reproducibly in an intensive care setting, 30 patients from a cardiology intensive care unit were enrolled in this study, no matter what the underlying disease. Blood was drawn from an arterial catheter and whole blood nitrite was determined, using a tri-iodide/ozone-based chemiluminescence assay after incubation with a ferricyanide-containing stabilization solution. Whole blood nitrite levels ranged from 35 to 1193 nmol/L (mean±SEM: 220±20 nmol/L). Myocardial infarction was associated with lower whole blood nitrite levels (200±53 nmol/L for elevated serum CK MB levels vs 432±95 nmol/L in the normal CK MB range, p =0.039). Neither impaired kidney function nor an inflammatory state was associated with higher or lower whole blood nitrite levels. In conclusion, whole blood nitrite can be measured easily and reproducibly in critically ill patients, regardless of renal function and inflammation. The origin of decreased nitrite levels in myocardial infarction is currently unclear and needs to be further elucidated. [Copyright 2008 Elsevier] Copyright of Free Radical Biology & Medicine is the property of Elsevier Science Publishing Company, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts) 

BLOOD circulation disorders; ISCHEMIA; INTENSIVE care units; HEART -- Diseases; C-reactive protein ( CRP ); creatine kinase ( CK ); glomerular filtration rate ( GFR ); intensive care unit ( ICU ); ischemia–reperfusion ( I/R ); N-ethylmaleimide ( NEM ); procalcitonin ( PCT ); renal replacement therapy ( RRT ); sum of plasma nitrite and nitrate ( NOx ); systemic inflammatory response syndrome. ( SIRS )