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Macrophages contain arginase and an inducible NO synthase, demonstrated by using L-arginine, the common substrate, for production of both nitric oxide and urea. Arginase was inhibited by nitrite, the stable end product of NO. This inhibition was non-competitive, and could not be explained by the reaction of nitrite with arginine, or by the irreversible covalent modification of arginase, or by the removal of Mn 2+, a cofactor of arginase.

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Summary:The cerebrovascular effects of the heme oxygenase-carbon monoxide pathway were studied in the rat hypothalamus. Intraperitoneal administration of the heme oxygenase inhibitor zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol (ZnDPBG, 45 mol/kg) had no significant effect on the resting cerebral blood flow, but increased hypothalamic nitric oxide synthase activity by 67% without changing the CSF cyclic GMP concentration. After pharmacologic inhibition of nitric oxide synthase, the diminished cerebral blood flow was further reduced by 22% after administration of ZnDPBG, and the effect showed direct correlation with the baseline perfusion level. Therefore, endogenous carbon monoxide may significantly contribute to the cerebral vasoregulation under resting conditions and in pathophysiologic states associated with diminished nitric oxide synthesis. Key Words: Heme oxygenase-Nitric oxide synt h a s e -H y p o t h a l a m u s -E n d o t h e l i a l d y s f u n c t i o n .

The activity and expression of NOS II and arginase can be stimulated in peritoneal macrophages in vitro by injecting inflammatory agents into the peritoneal cavity. A markedly different response in arginine metabolism was observed in mouse and rat macrophages. Casein treatment was a potent inducer for both enzymes. NDV vaccines induced mainly NOS II, while thioglycollate induced arginase.

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