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Nitric oxide production and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in peritoneal macrophages of cirrhotic

W Jiménez1, J Ros, M Morales-Ruiz

  • 1Hormonal Laboratory, Hospital Clínic Universitari and Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. wjimenez@medicina.ub.es

Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.)
|August 26, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) show peritoneal macrophages producing nitric oxide (NO) and expressing NO synthase type II (NOS II). This suggests NOS II

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Cirrhosis is often complicated by spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP).
  • The role of peritoneal macrophages in SBP pathogenesis in cirrhosis is not fully understood.
  • Nitric oxide (NO) and its synthase enzymes are implicated in inflammatory responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate nitric oxide (NO) production and NO synthase type II (NOS II) expression in peritoneal macrophages from cirrhotic patients.
  • To determine if SBP influences these parameters.

Main Methods:

  • Peritoneal macrophages were isolated from cirrhotic patients with and without SBP (unresolved or resolved).
  • Ascites levels of nitrite/nitrate (NOx) were measured.
  • Macrophage nitric oxide production was assessed in vitro.
  • NOS II mRNA and protein expression were analyzed using RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry.

Main Results:

  • Ascites NOx levels were higher in patients with SBP compared to those without.
  • Macrophages from patients with SBP (resolved or unresolved) produced NO in culture, unlike those from non-SBP patients.
  • Macrophages from SBP patients consistently expressed NOS II mRNA and protein.

Conclusions:

  • Peritoneal macrophages from cirrhotic patients with SBP produce NO and express NOS II.
  • NOS II expression in macrophages may play a role in controlling SBP or its associated pathology in human cirrhosis.

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