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We studied the effects of CAS1609, a nitric oxide donor, on leukocyte-endothelial interactions during the early stages of hypercholesterolemia in rat mesenteric microcirculation. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: (a) rats fed control diet, (b) rats fed control diet while receiving CAS1609, (c) rats fed a high-cholesterol (HC) diet and given C93-4845 (an inactive control compound), and (d) rats fed an HC diet and given CAS1609. Both HC groups developed significantly elevated plasma cholesterol levels compared with rats fed the control diet. Intravital microscopy of mesenteric venules revealed a significant increase in leukocyte rolling and adherence in the untreated HC rats compared with control rats (P < .01). This was significantly attenuated in the HC rats given CAS1609. The HC rats given C93-4845 also developed aortic endothelial dysfunction (ie, impaired relaxation to acetylcholine or ADP) that was significantly prevented by CAS1609 infusion (P < .02). Immunohistochemical staining of ileum demonstrated significantly enhanced localization of P-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on venular endothelium in the untreated HC rats compared with control rats (P < .01). However, P-selectin and ICAM-1 expression were significantly attenuated in HC rats given CAS1609 (P < .05 and P < .01, respectively). Thus, hypercholesterolemia induces microvascular dysfunction characterized by loss of endothelium-derived nitric oxide, increased rolling and adherence of leukocytes, and increased expression of P-selectin and ICAM-1. Infusion of CAS1609 significantly attenuated these changes due to hypercholesterolemia. Our data suggest that nitric oxide plays a significant role in the prevention of the early endothelial dysfunction observed in hypercholesterolemia.

We studied the effects of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) on leukocyte-endothelial interaction after 60 min of splanchnic artery ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion (SAO/R) in pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized rats via intravital microscopy. Treatment with the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP, 20 micrograms/kg bolus followed by infusion at 20 micrograms.kg-1.h-1), beginning 10 min before reperfusion, resulted in significantly decreased leukocyte-endothelial interaction. This was manifested by a significant decrease in leukocyte rolling and adherence in the postcapillary venules. Tissue protection was demonstrated by a significantly lower plasma free amino-nitrogen concentration in the SNAP-treated SAO/R rats compared with those receiving NO-depleted SNAP (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical localization of P-selectin showed significantly decreased P-selectin expression on the venular endothelium after SAO/R in rats given SNAP 10 min before reperfusion (23.0 +/- 3.2% vs. 54.9 +/- 12.1% positive staining, respectively, P < 0.01). From these data, we conclude that the effects of exogenous NO on leukocyte-endothelial interaction after ischemia-reperfusion appear to be at least partially mediated through the endothelial adhesion molecule P-selectin.

Brown LAS, Ping X-D, Harris FL, Gauthier TW. Glutathione availability modulates alveolar macrophage function in the chronic ethanol-fed rat. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 292: L824-L832, 2007. First published November 22, 2006; doi:10.1152/ajplung.00346.2006.-We have previously demonstrated that chronic alcohol exposure decreases glutathione in the alveolar space. Although alcohol use is associated with decreased alveolar macrophage function, the mechanism by which alcohol impairs macrophage phagocytosis is unknown. In the current study, we examined the possibility that ethanol-induced alveolar macrophage dysfunction was secondary to decreased glutathione and subsequent chronic oxidative stress in the alveolar space. After 6 wk of ethanol ingestion, oxidant stress in the alveolar macrophages was evidenced by a 30-mV oxidation of the GSH/GSSG redox potential (P Յ 0.05). For control macrophages, ϳ80% internalized fluorescent Staphylococcus aureus were added in vitro. In contrast, only 20% of the macrophages from the ethanol-fed rats were able to bind and internalize fluorescent S. aureus. This ethanol-induced decreased capacity for phagocytosis was paralleled by increased apoptosis. When added to the ethanol diet, the glutathione precursors procysteine or N-acetyl cysteine normalized glutathione and oxidant stress in the epithelial lining fluid as well as the alveolar macrophages to control values. This attenuation of oxidant stress was associated with normalization of macrophage phagocytosis and viability. These results suggested that decreased glutathione availability in the alcoholic lung contribute to alveolar macrophage dysfunction via oxidative stress, resulting in not only decreased function but decreased viability. oxidative stress; apoptosis; lung; antioxidants A HISTORY OF CHRONIC ALCOHOL abuse increases the risk for infection, particularly in the lung (2). Although many mechanisms are undoubtedly involved, the increased risk of respiratory infections by alcoholics is partially due to an impaired immune response of the resident alveolar inflammatory cell, the alveolar macrophage. This impaired response is due in part to decreased ability of alveolar macrophages to phagocytose and clear infectious particles from the airways (3, 11). Equally important is impaired release of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and oxidant radicals required for microbial killing (28).In the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of the alveoli, the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) is essential for the detoxification of endogenous and exogenous oxidant radicals and protection of cells residing in the airway and alveolus. Under stressed conditions such as hyperoxia, the alveolar macrophage rely on the ELF pool of GSH to provide amino acids for de novo GSH synthesis (9), to protect themselves from oxidant injury (20) and maintain membrane integrity during their respiratory burst (30). Thus availability of extracellular GSH or its precursor amino acids is essential to maintain intracellular macrophage GSH homeostasis necessary for o...

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