title: Inhibition of tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis reduces in vivo nitric oxide production in experimental endotoxic shock.
abstract: Nitric oxide synthesis requires the cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin. We have examined the effect on nitric oxide synthesis in experimental endotoxic shock of 2,4- diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine (DAHP), an inhibitor of GTP cyclohydrolase I, the first and rate limiting enzyme for tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis. Rats given lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 mg/kg) showed a large rise in plasma nitrate at 4 and 8 hours which was significantly reduced by DAHP (1 g/kg) given at the same time as LPS. There was a 40-50% reduction in the haem-NO signal detected in kidney by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. LPS produced hypotension at 3 hours and 6 hours and this was ameliorated at 6 hours in rats given DAHP. DAHP abolished the rise in kidney tetrahydrobiopterin levels seen 4 hours after LPS but no effect was seen on induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) as assessed by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase PCR, consistent with the effect of DAPH being by reduction of tetrahydrobiopterin levels. The results show that inhibition of tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis is an effective strategy to reduce nitric oxide synthesis by iNOS in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Imperial College School of Medicine at St. Mary's, Norfolk Place, London W2 IPG, England.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bune
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Heales
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Shergill
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cammack
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Cook
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006136:GTP Cyclohydrolase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D007042:Hypoxanthines / Q000494:pharmacology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007042:Hypoxanthines; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D001708:Biopterins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006136:GTP Cyclohydrolase; C017202:2,4-diaminohypoxanthine; C003402:sapropterin