TY - JOUR
T1 - Regulation of alveolar gas conductance by NO in man, as based on studies with NO donors and inhibitors of NO production
AU - Guazzi, M.
AU - Arena, R.
AU - Vicenzi, M.
AU - Guazzi, M. D.
PY - 2009/6
Y1 - 2009/6
N2 - Aim: Nitric oxide (NO) is a mediator of the pulmonary vessel tone and permeability. We hypothesized that it may also regulate the alveolar-capillary membrane gas conductance and lung diffusion capacity. Methods: In 20 healthy subjects (age = 23 ± 3 years) we measured lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco), its determinants (membrane conductance, Dm, and pulmonary capillary blood volume, Vc), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAPs) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Measurements were performed before and after administration of Ng-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA, 0.5 mg kg-1 min-1), as a NO production inhibitor, and l-arginine (l-Arg, 0.5 mg kg-1 min1) as a NO pathway activator. The effects of l-NMMA were also tested in combination with active l-Arg and inactive stereoisomer d-Arg vehicled by 150 mL of 5%d-glucose solution. For l-Arg and l-NMMA, saline (150 mL) was also tested as a vehicle. Results: l-NMMA reduced Dm (-41%P <0.01), DLco (-20%, P <0.01) and cardiac output (CO), and increased PAPs and PVR. In 10 additional subjects, a dose of l-NMMA of 0.03 mg kg-1 min1 infused in the main stem of the pulmonary artery was able to lower Dm (-32%, P <0.01) despite no effect on PVR and CO. Dm depression was significantly greater when l-NMMA was vehicled by saline than by glucose. l-Arg but not d-Arg abolished the effects of l-NMMA. l-Arg alone increased D m (+14%, P <0.01). Conclusion: The findings indicate that NO mediates the respiratory effects of l-NMMA and l-Arg, and is involved in the physiology of the alveolar-capillary membrane gas conductance in humans. NO deficiency may cause an excessive endothelial sodium exchange/water conduction and fluid leakage in alveolar interstitial space, lengthening the air-blood path and depressing diffusion capacity.
AB - Aim: Nitric oxide (NO) is a mediator of the pulmonary vessel tone and permeability. We hypothesized that it may also regulate the alveolar-capillary membrane gas conductance and lung diffusion capacity. Methods: In 20 healthy subjects (age = 23 ± 3 years) we measured lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco), its determinants (membrane conductance, Dm, and pulmonary capillary blood volume, Vc), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAPs) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Measurements were performed before and after administration of Ng-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA, 0.5 mg kg-1 min-1), as a NO production inhibitor, and l-arginine (l-Arg, 0.5 mg kg-1 min1) as a NO pathway activator. The effects of l-NMMA were also tested in combination with active l-Arg and inactive stereoisomer d-Arg vehicled by 150 mL of 5%d-glucose solution. For l-Arg and l-NMMA, saline (150 mL) was also tested as a vehicle. Results: l-NMMA reduced Dm (-41%P <0.01), DLco (-20%, P <0.01) and cardiac output (CO), and increased PAPs and PVR. In 10 additional subjects, a dose of l-NMMA of 0.03 mg kg-1 min1 infused in the main stem of the pulmonary artery was able to lower Dm (-32%, P <0.01) despite no effect on PVR and CO. Dm depression was significantly greater when l-NMMA was vehicled by saline than by glucose. l-Arg but not d-Arg abolished the effects of l-NMMA. l-Arg alone increased D m (+14%, P <0.01). Conclusion: The findings indicate that NO mediates the respiratory effects of l-NMMA and l-Arg, and is involved in the physiology of the alveolar-capillary membrane gas conductance in humans. NO deficiency may cause an excessive endothelial sodium exchange/water conduction and fluid leakage in alveolar interstitial space, lengthening the air-blood path and depressing diffusion capacity.
KW - Gas diffusion
KW - Nitric oxide
KW - Pulmonary circulation
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1748-1716.2008.01939.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1748-1716.2008.01939.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 19032601
AN - SCOPUS:65449166777
VL - 196
SP - 267
EP - 277
JO - Skandinavisches Archiv Für Physiologie
JF - Skandinavisches Archiv Für Physiologie
SN - 0370-839X
IS - 2
ER -