title: Nitrogen oxide levels in patients after trauma and during sepsis.
abstract: The mediators responsible for maintenance of the hyperdynamic state and the low systemic vascular resistance (SVR) observed in sepsis have not been elucidated. Nitric oxide (.N = O) is a mediator with numerous functions, including regulation of vascular tone and a role in macrophage-mediated cytostasis and microbiostasis. Thirty-nine critically ill trauma and septic patients were studied to determine the relationship between .N = O production and the hyperdynamic state. high plasma levels of NO2-/NO3- (the stable end products of .N = O) were observed in septic patients (p less than 0.02). Low SVR and high endotoxin levels were associated with high NO2-/NO3- values (p = 0.029, p = 0.002). Changes in .N = O levels may mediate the vasodilation seen in sepsis. Low NO2-/NO3- levels were observed in trauma patients (p less than 0.001) and remained low even in the presence of sepsis (p = 0.001).
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Ochoa
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Udekwu
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Billiar
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Cerra
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Peitzman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009566:Nitrates / Q000097:blood; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides / Q000097:blood*; D014655:Vascular Resistance; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D004731:Endotoxins; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides