title: Nitric oxide generation by peripheral blood cells in chronic renal failure.
abstract: Nitric oxide (NO), a labile free radical synthesised from L-arginine by the action of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), is said to be implicated in uraemic complications, such as infection and a tendency to bleed. In this study of NO production by peripheral blood cells, an increased level is seen in platelets from uraemic patients (both non-dialysed and haemodialysed) and a decreased level in leucocytes (neutrophils and monocytes). A negative correlation was noted between blood urea level and inducible NO in neutrophils and monocytes in uraemic patients not on dialysis. In contrast, haemodialysis appears to lead to an increase in inducible NO production in neutrophils and monocytes. Plasma NO levels were significantly increased in uraemic patients, compared with normal controls, and hemodialysis led to further increases. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly reduced in platelets, neutrophils and monocytes in the uraemic group. It is concluded that increased NO production by platelets may contribute to the bleeding tendency observed in uraemia, and high urea concentrations may contribute to the regulation of inducible NO production in leucocytes.
authors: a Departments of Biochemistry , Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University . Alexandria , Egypt.
authors: H M
authors: HM
authors: Fayed
authors: a Departments of Biochemistry , Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University . Alexandria , Egypt.
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Kamel
authors: b Departments of Haematology , Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University . Alexandria , Egypt.
authors: M M
authors: MM
authors: Sultan
authors: c Departments of Internal Medicine , Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University . Alexandria , Egypt.
authors: M N
authors: MN
authors: Mowafy
authors: a Departments of Biochemistry , Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University . Alexandria , Egypt.
authors: M H
authors: MH
authors: Helmy
authors: d Departments of Applied Medical Chemistry , Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University . Alexandria , Egypt.
authors: S M
authors: SM
authors: El-Zoghby
keywords: Kidney failure, chronic; Nitric oxide; Nitric-oxide synthase