Nitric oxide up-regulates the glucocorticoid receptor and blunts the inflammatory reaction in porcine endotoxin sepsis.
OBJECTIVE
Nitric oxide inhibits the expression of many genes involved in inflammatory diseases. Glucocorticoids inhibit similar transcription factors. We hypothesized that there may be an interaction between nitric oxide and glucocorticoids, with the potential to enhance the anti-inflammatory effect when administered simultaneously.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, controlled study.


METHODS
Animal research laboratory.


METHODS
A total of 45 anesthetized and mechanically ventilated pigs.


METHODS
Lung and systemic injury was induced by intravenous infusion of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) for 6 hrs. After 2.5 hrs, one group received 3.5 mg/kg hydrocortisone, another group inhaled nitric oxide (30 ppm), and still another group received both steroid and nitric oxide. Control groups of healthy and endotoxin-exposed piglets were also studied.


RESULTS
Central hemodynamics and gas exchange were measured. Detection of the glucocorticoid receptor and inflammatory markers in lung, liver, and kidney tissue were made by immunohistochemistry, and morphology was studied with light microscopy. Endotoxin infusion markedly reduced glucocorticoid receptor expression in lung, liver, and kidney and up-regulated activator protein-1 and the inflammatory markers nuclear factor-kappaB and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. When administered separately, steroids and nitric oxide had modest effect on the inflammatory response. However, nitric oxide up-regulated the glucocorticoid receptor expression. Simultaneous administration of steroids and nitric oxide attenuated the inflammatory response and almost preserved or restored normal histology of both lung and systemic organs. When the glucocorticoid receptor was blocked by a receptor antagonist (mifepristone, 600 mg) and inhaled nitric oxide was subsequently administered, no increase in the expression of the glucocorticoid receptor was seen.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that up-regulation of glucocorticoid receptor expression by nitric oxide made steroid therapy more effective.
Da
Jiping
J
Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Physiology, University Hospital, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Chen
Luni
L
Hedenstierna
Göran
G
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000276:immunology; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000009:adverse effects; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000276:immunology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011669:Pulmonary Wedge Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D011897:Random Allocation; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013552:Swine; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D015735:Mifepristone; D006854:Hydrocortisone