title: Effect of inhaled nitric oxide on endotoxin-induced hypoxaemia in rabbits.
abstract: In five mechanically ventilated rabbits, we studied the property of inhaled nitric oxide in helping to treat hypoxaemia which was induced by intravenous endotoxin (Escherichia coli-derived lipopolysaccharide, serotype 0111: B4). We used measurements of arterial partial pressure of oxygen to check a therapeutic nitric oxide benefit. Pulmonary artery pressure was continuously monitored. Furthermore, we determined the single-breath diffusing capacity for nitric oxide. Measurements of plasma nitrite/nitrate concentration served as an indicator of endogenous nitric oxide output. The first infusion of endotoxin led to a transient pulmonary vasoconstriction, whereas arterial partial pressure of oxygen was permanently reduced by 30 +/- 10 mmHg (mean +/- SD), attaining minimal values of 48 +/- 3.4 mmHg due to additional endotoxin. Single-breath diffusing capacity for nitric oxide declined by 20 +/- 5.5% of baseline values until the experiments were concluded. Endotoxin induced an increase in plasma nitrite/nitrate concentration in the five rabbits as well as in the control animals (four rabbits) without exogenous nitric oxide supply. During the 25 inhalations of nitric oxide (3-50 ppm), arterial oxygenation did not change significantly. Thus endotoxin permanently impaired pulmonary gas exchange without inducing pulmonary hypertension. Inhaled nitric oxide did not improve arterial oxygenation during endotoxaemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schobersberger
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Schuster
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D002682:Chinchilla; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009566:Nitrates / Q000097:blood; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D004731:Endotoxins; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C044101:endotoxin, Escherichia coli; D010100:Oxygen