Prostaglandin E1 reduces Ischemia/Reperfusion injury by normalizing nitric oxide and superoxide release
Dr Huk and his colleagues have published their findings on the positive role of using prostaglandin E1, a naturally occurring medicinal prostaglandin, in the reduction of injuries typically seen in conditions that diminish intestinal blood flow.
To test the effects of prostaglandin e1 on 2.5 h of ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion, continuous nitric oxide measurements (electrochemical) were correlated with intermittent assays of superoxide and peroxynitrite levels (chemiluminescence) and ischemia/reperfusion injury in rabbit adductor magnus muscle. Administering prostaglandin E1 (1 μg/kg) before or during ischemia/reperfusion caused normalization of the release of nitric oxide, superoxide, and peroxynitrite to slightly above preischemic levels. This pattern was dramatically different from that observed during ischemia/reperfusion alone, where nitric oxide concentration increased three times above its basal level. Normalization of constitutive nitric oxide synthase activity in the presence of prostaglandin E1 was associated with a significant reduction of superoxide and peroxynitrite production and subsequent reduction of ischemia/reperfusion injury. At 2 h of reperfusion, vasoconstriction associated with ischemia/reperfusion injury was eliminated, and edema was significantly mollified but still apparent. Prostaglandin E1 treatment does not directly inhibit constitutive nitric oxide synthase, like the inhibitor Nw-monomethyl-L-arginine. Some phenomenon associated with ischemia turns on endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase to start transforming L-arginine and oxygen into nitric oxide, but prostaglandin E1 seems to inhibit this phenomenon. Thus, essential local L-arginine pools are not depleted, and normal basal levels of essential nitric oxide are maintained, whereas cytotoxic superoxide and peroxynitrite production by L-arginine-deficient constitutive nitric oxide synthase is prevented.
(I Huk 1, V Brovkovych, J Nanobashvili, C Neumayer, P Polterauer, M Prager, S Patton, T Malinski Affiliations expand PMID: 10947172 DOI: 10.1097/00024382-200014020-00026)
Editorial comment
NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE AND TISSUE INJURY
Traber, Daniel L. Author Information Shock: August 2000 – Volume 14 – Issue 2 – p 243-244
The “Shock” publication that featured Dr Huk and his colleagues’ work on nitric oxide also included the worthy praise of the editor Daniel L. Traber, whose editorial comment focused on Dr Huk’s work, further demonstrating the importance of these findings. The full comment and article can be read here link.