title: Nitric oxide and intestinal barrier failure.
abstract: The systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adults and children. Various proinflammatory mediators have been implicated in the pathogenesis of SIRS; however, their mechanisms of action are poorly defined. Recent evidence suggests that nitric oxide (NO) plays a regulatory role in gut barrier function. Sustained upregulation of NO production in the intestine can lead to intestinal epithelial injury through the formation of peroxynitrite. Peroxynitrite can nitrate mitochondrial proteins and inhibit cellular respiration. The resultant changes in mitochondrial function lead to activation of the caspase cascade, subsequent DNA fragmentation, and enterocyte apoptosis. Enterocyte apoptosis results in a transient "bare area" in the intestinal epithelium where bacteria can attach and then penetrate the lamina propria. Bacteria that successfully escape the immune system may in turn incite a systemic inflammatory response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Nadler
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Upperman
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Dickinson
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Ford
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000293:injuries / Q000382:microbiology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide