Thromb Haemost 2010; 104(02): 200-206
DOI: 10.1160/TH09-08-0554
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Dual modulation of nitric oxide production in the heart during ischaemia/reperfusion injury and inflammation

Elena Darra*
1   Department Morphological and Biomedical Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
,
Alessio Rungatscher*
2   Division of Cardiac Surgery University of Verona, Verona, Italy
,
Alessandra Carcereri de Prati
1   Department Morphological and Biomedical Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
,
Bruno K. Podesser
3   The Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster for Cardiovascular Research, Medical University of Vienna and Department of Cardiac Surgery, LKH St. Pölten, St. Pölten, Austria
,
Giuseppe Faggian
2   Division of Cardiac Surgery University of Verona, Verona, Italy
,
Tiziano Scarabelli
4   St John Hospital & Medical Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
,
Alessandro Mazzucco
2   Division of Cardiac Surgery University of Verona, Verona, Italy
,
Seth Hallström
5   Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Center of Physiological Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
,
Hisanori Suzuki
1   Department Morphological and Biomedical Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Publikationsverlauf

Received: 12. August 2009

Accepted after major revision: 29. März 2010

Publikationsdatum:
24. November 2017 (online)

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Summary

Nitric oxide (NO) homeostasis maintained by neuronal/endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (n/eNOS) contributes to regulate cardiac function under physiological conditions. At the early stages of ischaemia, NO homeostasis is disturbed due to Ca2+-dependent e/nNOS activation. In endothelial cells, successive drop in NO concentration may occur due to both uncoupling of eNOS and/or successive inhibition of nNOS catalytic activity mediated by arachidonic acid-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of this enzyme. The reduced NO bioavailability triggers nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation followed by the induction of inducible NOS (iNOS) expression. In cardiomyocytes ischaemia also triggers the induction of iNOS expression during reperfusion. The massive amounts of NO which are subsequently produced following iNOS induction may exert on cardiomyocytes and the other cell types of cells of the heart, such as endothelial and smooth muscle cells, macrophages and neutrophils, opposing effects, either beneficial or toxic. The balance between these two double-faced actions may contribute to the final clinical outcomes, determining the degree of functional adaptation of the heart to ischaemia/reperfusion injury. In the light of this new vision on the critical role played by the cross-talk between n/eNOS and iNOS as well as the non enzymatic NO production by nitrite, we have reason to believe that new pharmacological measurements or experimental interventions, such as ischaemic preconditioning, aimed at counteracting the drop in NO levels beyond the normal range of NO homeostasis during early reperfusion can represent an efficient strategy to reduce the extent of functional impairment and cardiac damage in the heart exposed to ischaemia/reperfusion injury.

* These authors contributed equally to the preparation of this paper.