Pharmacodynamics of plasma nitrate/nitrite as an indication of nitric oxide formation in conscious dogs

Zeballos, GA; Bernstein, RD; Thompson, CI; Forfia, PR; Seyedi, N; Shen, W; Kaminiski, PM; Wolin, MS; Hintze, TH

HERO ID

1664119

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1995

Language

English

PMID

7796509

HERO ID 1664119
In Press No
Year 1995
Title Pharmacodynamics of plasma nitrate/nitrite as an indication of nitric oxide formation in conscious dogs
Authors Zeballos, GA; Bernstein, RD; Thompson, CI; Forfia, PR; Seyedi, N; Shen, W; Kaminiski, PM; Wolin, MS; Hintze, TH
Journal Circulation
Volume 91
Issue 12
Page Numbers 2982-2988
Abstract <strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>The present investigation was undertaken to better understand the production of nitric oxide (NO) in vivo as measured by alterations in plasma nitrite or nitrate in blood samples from studies in experimental animals or clinical studies in humans.<br /><br /><strong>METHODS AND RESULTS: </strong>Plasma samples were taken from the aorta, the coronary sinus, a peripheral vein in the leg (skeletal muscle), or the right ventricle (mixed venous) in chronically instrumented conscious dogs. Plasma nitrite was converted to NO gas in an argon environment by use of hydrochloric acid, and plasma nitrate was converted first to nitrite with nitrate reductase and then to NO gas with acid. Standard curves were constructed, and the amount of nitrite and nitrate in plasma was determined. The primary metabolite was nitrate, whereas nitrate was approximately 10% of the total and remained constant. In the resting dog, the only vascular bed with a positive arterial-venous nitrate difference, evidence for production of NO, was the heart. Nitrate infusion into quietly resting dogs resulted in increases in plasma nitrate up to 38 +/- 3.4 mmol/L, increases in systemic arterial pressure, and a marked diuresis. The plasma half-life was calculated as 3.8 hours. The volume of distribution was calculated as 0.215 L/kg, or equivalent to the extracellular volume.<br /><br /><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>These studies indicate that nitrate is a reliable measure of NO metabolism in vivo but that because of the long half-life, nitrate will accumulate in plasma once it is produced. Because of the large volume of distribution (21% of body weight versus the 4% of body weight usually attributed to plasma volume, the compartment in which nitrate is measured), simple measures of plasma nitrate underestimate by a factor of 4 to 6 the actual production of nitrate or NO by the body. In disease states, such as heart failure, in which renal function and extracellular volume are altered, caution should be exercised when increases in nitrate in plasma as an index of NO formation are evaluated.
Doi 10.1161/01.CIR.91.12.2982
Pmid 7796509
Wosid WOS:A1995RD51600020
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword endothelium-derived factors; diuretics; hypertension