Oxidative consumption of nitric oxide: a potential mediator of uremic vascular disease

Recent data has drawn our attention to the relationship between altered biomechanical properties of the vasculature and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in uremia. We have been able to show that uremia causes functional changes in the conduit vessels of rats, predating structural changes and independent of blood pressure. As nitric oxide (NO) is a potent modulator of the cardiovascular system, we studied the NO pathway in uremia. The existing data are somewhat confusing, with some suggesting up-regulation of the NO system, and others the opposite. When examined critically, however, a pattern emerges, with studies examining NO release showing increased production, whereas those examining NO bioactivity show it to be attenuated. We hypothesized that there is increased NO release, but excess consumption in uremia. Our own data on NO metabolites (NOx) in the serum of healthy young male hemodialysis patients indicate higher concentrations both pre- and post-dialysis compared to controls. As the endothelium is a potential source of NO, we cultured endothelial cells in uremic plasma. These studies demonstrated increased basal NO release from cells cultured under uremic conditions compared to controls. Furthermore, alterations in arginine metabolism appear to play a role, as there is evidence for reduced arginase activity in these cells, thereby increasing arginine availability for the NO pathway. Given the in vivo data and clinical characteristics of the uremic syndrome suggesting reduced NO bioactivity, we examined the possibility that the excess NO generated is being consumed and rendered bio-inactive. Aortae from uremic and control rats were stained for the presence of nitrotyrosine. All uremic aortae stained positively, but nitrotyrosine was not present in any control aortae.