NO–hemoglobin may be a light-sensitive source of nitric oxide both in solution and in red blood cells

Blue Laser Light Increases Perfusion of a Skin Flap Via Release of Nitric Oxide from Hemoglobin

“…It has been previously shown that laser irradiation can induce dissociation of NO-Hb complexes in pure protein solution (16,17). In this study we have shown that this process can be induced also in RBC suspension (Figure 1,2).…”

“…Despite these conflicting data on the role of SNO-Hb, the NO-Hb complexes are not considered to be a source of NO due to very high affinity of NO to heme iron. A few years ago it was shown that NO-Hb complexes in protein solution are photosensitive and can release NO during exposure to laser radiation (16,17). Two years later it was shown that the exposure of smooth muscle to UV and visible light facilitates muscle It has recently been shown that nitrosyl complexes of hemoglobin (NO-Hb) are sensitive to low-level blue laser irradiation, suggesting that laser irradiation can facilitate the release of biologically active nitric oxide (NO), which can affect tissue perfusion.…”

Carbon Monoxide: Endogenous Production, Physiological Functions, and Pharmacological Applications

“…For example, an NO-binding protein has been reported in neurons, namely neuroglobin (Burmester et al, 2000). Hemoglobin can bind NO in a light-sensitive fashion (Vladimirov et al, 2000). HO-2 can also bind NO at the two hemebinding sites (Ding et al, 1999).…”

Lasers in orthopaedic surgery

“…It was suggested that NO-hemoglobin might serve as a light-sensitive store of NO in red blood cells from which it is released by irradiation. 69 A set of data in the literature related to blood irradiation considers the increase of arteriolar vasodilatation and blood fl ow in capillaries. 70 It was suggested in Karu, 66 Krutmann 71 and Zhevago et al 72 that blood irradiation may be a valuable tool to modulate the immunological status of the organism, but there is much work to be done to establish it as a clinical modality.…”