Regulation of alveolar gas conductance by NO in man, as based on studies with NO donors and inhibitors of NO production.
OBJECTIVE
Nitric oxide (NO) is a mediator of the pulmonary vessel tone and permeability. We hypothesized that it may also regulate the alveolar-capillary membrane gas conductance and lung diffusion capacity.


METHODS
In 20 healthy subjects (age = 23 +/- 3 years) we measured lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco), its determinants (membrane conductance, D(m), and pulmonary capillary blood volume, V(c)), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAPs) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Measurements were performed before and after administration of N(g)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 0.5 mg kg(-1) min(-1)), as a NO production inhibitor, and L-arginine (L-Arg, 0.5 mg kg(-1) min(1)) as a NO pathway activator. The effects of L-NMMA were also tested in combination with active L-Arg and inactive stereoisomer D-Arg vehicled by 150 mL of 5%d-glucose solution. For L-Arg and L-NMMA, saline (150 mL) was also tested as a vehicle.


RESULTS
L-NMMA reduced D(m) (-41%P < 0.01), DLco (-20%, P < 0.01) and cardiac output (CO), and increased PAPs and PVR. In 10 additional subjects, a dose of L-NMMA of 0.03 mg kg(-1) min(1) infused in the main stem of the pulmonary artery was able to lower D(m) (-32%, P < 0.01) despite no effect on PVR and CO. D(m) depression was significantly greater when L-NMMA was vehicled by saline than by glucose. L-Arg but not D-Arg abolished the effects of L-NMMA. L-Arg alone increased D(m) (+14%, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate that NO mediates the respiratory effects of L-NMMA and L-Arg, and is involved in the physiology of the alveolar-capillary membrane gas conductance in humans. NO deficiency may cause an excessive endothelial sodium exchange/water conduction and fluid leakage in alveolar interstitial space, lengthening the air-blood path and depressing diffusion capacity.
Guazzi
M
M
Cardiopulmonary Unit, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via A. di Rudinì 8, Milan, Italy. marco.guazzi@unimi.it
Arena
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Vicenzi
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Guazzi
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D000328:Adult; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001944:Breath Tests; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000494:pharmacology; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine / Q000494:pharmacology
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D001120:Arginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase