title: Changes in the production of nitric oxide and superoxide by inflammatory cells in liver cirrhosis.
abstract: Superoxide (O2-) and nitric oxide (NO) production by polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNs) and monocytes in patients with liver cirrhosis were evaluated. PMNs obtained from cirrhotic patients were less effective than those from controls in producing O2- after stimulation with opsonized zymosan, while they were more effective in producing NO, as shown by the inhibition of platelet aggregation and by the increase in cGMP content. NO synthase activity was higher in leukocytes from cirrhotic patients than in controls. A correlation was found between the cardiac index and the observed changes in the inflammatory cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Flourence, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Masini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mugnai
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Foschi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Laffi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gentilini
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Mannaioni
mesh_terms: D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D001201:Ascites; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000032:analysis; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D009895:Opsonin Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D016897:Respiratory Burst; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*; D015054:Zymosan / Q000494:pharmacology; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine
chemical_list: D009895:Opsonin Proteins; D013481:Superoxides; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D015054:Zymosan; D001120:Arginine; D006152:Cyclic GMP