title: An inhibitor of nitric oxide production, NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester, improves survival in anaphylactic shock.
abstract: Induction of anaphylactic shock in mice by i.v. antigen challenge (bovine serum albumin, 100 micrograms) or i.v. treatment with the mast cell degranulator compound 48/80 resulted in 80 and 90% mortality rate, respectively. Inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis from L-arginine by co-injection of the L-arginine analog NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 30 mg/kg) reduced the mortality rate by 40 and 20% in the antigen- and compound 48/80-induced shock models. Treatment with 60 mg/kg L-NAME reduced the mortality rate by 60% in these shock models. This beneficial effect was reversed by addition of L-arginine (120 mg/kg) but not D-arginine (120 mg/kg). These results suggest NO production as a possible mechanism involved in the pathophysiology of anaphylactic shock.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amir
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: English
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000276:immunology; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine; D001120:Arginine; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester