Endogenous nitric oxide and endothelin-1 in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.
We studied changes in endogenous nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and endothelin-1 (ET-1) production in infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). We determined concentrations of serum NO metabolites, i.e., nitrites and nitrates (NOx), and of plasma ET-1 in five infants with PPHN (PPHN group) and in 25 healthy full-term neonates (control group). In both groups, serum NOx concentrations increased over time and plasma ET-1 concentrations decreased with age. The differences in serum NOx concentrations between groups were not significant at < 12 h and 24 h of age; however, they were significantly higher in the PPHN group than in the control group at 5 days of age. The differences in plasma ET-1 concentrations between groups were not significant at 5 days of age, but were significantly higher in the PPHN group than in the control group at < 12 h and 24 h of age.


CONCLUSIONS
Limited endogenous nitric oxide synthesis and elevated endogenous endothelin-1 production during the first few days of life may contribute to pulmonary hypertension in infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.
Endo
A
A
Department of Paediatrics, Nihon University School of Medicine, Oyaguchi-Kamimachi 30-1, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan.
Ayusawa
M
M
Minato
M
M
Takada
M
M
Takahashi
S
S
Harada
K
K
D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D010547:Persistent Fetal Circulation Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
D019332:Endothelin-1; D009569:Nitric Oxide