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Nitric oxide metabolism in wounds
M R Schäffer1, U Tantry, R A van Wesep
1Department of Surgery, Chirurgische Klinik, Eberhard-Karls-Universität, Tübingen, Germany.
The Journal of Surgical Research
|July 15, 1997
Summary
Wound healing involves arginine metabolism. Nitric oxide (NO) synthesis is sustained for weeks post-injury, primarily by macrophages, while arginase activity also increases.
Area of Science:
- Wound healing research
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- Arginine metabolism in wounds involves nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and arginase pathways.
- These pathways produce nitric oxide (NO), citrulline, urea, and ornithine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal expression of arginine metabolic pathways in a murine wound model.
- To determine the role of nitric oxide synthesis and arginase activity during wound healing.
Main Methods:
- Murine dorsal skin incision and polyvinyl alcohol sponge implantation model.
- Measurement of nitrite, nitrate, and amino acids in wound fluid and cell cultures.
- Inhibition studies using N(G)-L-monomethyl-arginine (NMMA).
- Immunoblotting for inducible NOS and immunohistochemistry for cell sourcing.
Main Results:
- Sustained increase in wound fluid nitrite and nitrate levels for 2 weeks, indicating prolonged NO synthesis.
- Undetectable arginine levels suggest continuous utilization.
- Elevated ornithine levels indicate sustained arginase activity.
- NMMA inhibited in vitro NO and citrulline production.
- Macrophages identified as a major source of wound NO.
Conclusions:
- Nitric oxide synthesis is prolonged during wound healing.
- Macrophages are a key cellular source of nitric oxide in wounds.
- Arginase activity also plays a significant role in arginine metabolism during healing.