Nitric oxide indices in human septic shock.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relation between nitrite, nitrate, nitrotyrosine, and nitrosothiols as NO indices in human septic shock.


METHODS
A prospective clinical study.


METHODS
Intensive care units in a university hospital and a central county hospital.


METHODS
Sixteen patients admitted for septic shock. Nine healthy volunteers served as controls.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
Patients with septic shock had a hyperdynamic circulatory response and required infusion of at least two vasopressors to maintain systemic blood pressure. Four episodes of recurrent shock occurred in two patients. Heparinized plasma was collected once daily for analysis of NO indices. Peak plasma concentrations of nitrite + nitrate (NOx) were elevated in first episodes of septic shock; 144+/-39 microM vs. controls, 20+/-3 microM (p < .05). Peak plasma NOx concentrations in recurrent shocks were; 160+/-19 microM. Peak plasma concentrations of 3-nitrotyrosine (NT) were elevated in primary septic shock 102+/-19 pmol x mL(-1) vs. controls 14+/-6 pmol x mL(-1) (p < .05). Peak NT concentrations were 117+/-37 pmol x mL(-1) in recurrent septic shock. Peak plasma NT concentrations did not coincide with peak NOx concentrations in half of the episodes of septic shock. Plasma NT was elevated (59+/-15 pmol x mL(-1) vs. controls 14+/-6 pmol x mL(-1), p < .05) in patients with normal plasma NOx concentrations throughout septic shock. Plasma concentrations of nitrosothiols did not change during septic shock.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma concentrations of NOx and NT are elevated in primary episodes of septic shock and may also be elevated in secondary septic shock, but too few episodes of recurrent septic shock occurred to allow firm conclusions. Plasma concentrations of NT are elevated in patients with septic shock with normal plasma NOx concentrations, indicating that plasma concentrations of NOx may not always accurately reflect NO production. Reactive nitrogen species may be formed in septic shock, and measuring both NOx and NT may give a better indication of NO production in septic shock than NOx alone. Plasma levels of nitrosothiols did not change during septic shock.
Strand
O A
OA
Department of Infectious Diseases, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. oystrand@hotmail.com
Leone
A
A
Giercksky
K E
KE
Kirkebøen
K A
KA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D009566:Nitrates / Q000097:blood; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000097:blood*; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000097:blood; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood
D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C002744:3-nitrotyrosine; D014443:Tyrosine