Related Experiment Videos
Peroxynitrite versus nitric oxide in early diabetes
Robert D Hoeldtke1, Kimberly D Bryner, Daniel R McNeill
1Department of Medicine, West Virginia University, One Medical Center Drive, PO Box 9159, Morgantown, WV 26506-9159, USA. rhoeldtke@hsc.wvu.edu
American Journal of Hypertension
|August 29, 2003
Summary
Peroxynitrite, a toxic NO metabolite, significantly impacts human physiology. Its presence correlates with increased blood pressure and sudomotor responses, unlike nitric oxide (NO).
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Oxidative Stress
Background:
- Peroxynitrite is a toxic byproduct of nitric oxide (NO) metabolism.
- Its physiological role in vivo has not been previously documented.
- This study investigated peroxynitrite's correlation with physiological parameters, hypothesizing an inverse relationship to NO's effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the physiological significance of peroxynitrite in humans.
- To compare the associations of peroxynitrite with blood pressure and sudomotor responses to those of nitric oxide.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-seven patients with type 1 diabetes were studied longitudinally.
- Nitric oxide (NO) was assessed via nitrite and nitrate (NOx).
- Peroxynitrite was measured indirectly through nitrotyrosine (nTy) protein content.
Main Results:
- Diabetic patients exhibited significantly higher nitrotyrosine (nTy) levels compared to controls.
- Elevated nTy correlated with increased mean blood pressure (BP) and enhanced sudomotor responses.
- The associations of nTy with BP and sudomotor function were opposite to those observed for NOx.
Conclusions:
- The conversion of nitric oxide (NO) to peroxynitrite is physiologically significant in humans.
- Peroxynitrite plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure and sweating.
- This pathway highlights a key aspect of oxidative stress in diabetes.