Targeting nitric oxide as a key modulator of sepsis, arthritis and pain

Publication date: Available online 30 April 2019Source: Nitric OxideAuthor(s): Fernando Spiller, Rodrigo de Oliveira Formiga, Jonathan Fernandes da Silva Coimbra, Jose Carlos Alves-Filho, Thiago Mattar Cunha, Fernando Queiroz CunhaAbstractNitric oxide (NO) is produced by enzymatic activity of neuronal (nNOS), endothelial (eNOS), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and modulates a broad spectrum of physiological and pathophysiological conditions. The iNOS isoform is positively regulated at transcriptional level and produces high levels of NO in response to inflammatory mediators and/or to pattern recognition receptor signaling, such as Toll-like receptors. In this review, we compiled the main contributions of our group for understanding of the role of NO in sepsis and arthritis outcome and the peripheral contributions of NO to inflammatory pain development. Although neutrophil iNOS-derived NO is necessary for bacterial killing, systemic production of high levels of NO impairs neutrophil migration to infections through inhibiting neutrophil adhesion on microcirculation and their locomotion. Moreover, neutrophil-derived NO contributes to multiple organ dysfunction in sepsis. In arthritis, NO is chief for bacterial clearance in staphylococcal-induced arthritis; however, it contributes to articular damage and bone mass degradation. NO produced in inflammatory sites also downmodulates pain. The mechanism involved in analgesic effect and inhibition of neutrophil migration is ...
Source: Nitric Oxide - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research