Nitrite Regulates Hypoxic Vasodilation via Myoglobin-Dependent Nitric Oxide Generation

Nitrite regulates hypoxic vasodilation via myoglobin-dependent nitric oxide generation.

BACKGROUND Hypoxic vasodilation is a physiological response to low oxygen tension that increases blood supply to match metabolic demands. Although this response has been characterized for >100 years, the underlying hypoxic sensing and effector signaling mechanisms remain uncertain. We have shown that deoxygenated myoglobin in the heart can reduce nitrite to nitric oxide (NO·) and thereby contri...

Nitrite Regulates Hypoxic Vasodilation via Myoglobin–Dependent Nitric Oxide Generation Running title: Totzeck et al.; Nitrite Regulates Hypoxic Vasodilation

Nitrite as a vascular endocrine nitric oxide reservoir that contributes to hypoxic signaling, cytoprotection, and vasodilation.

Accumulating evidence suggests that the simple and ubiquitous anion salt, nitrite (NO(2)(-)), is a physiological signaling molecule with potential roles in intravascular endocrine nitric oxide (NO) transport, hypoxic vasodilation, signaling, and cytoprotection after ischemia-reperfusion. Human and animal studies of nitrite treatment and NO gas inhalation provide evidence that nitrite mediates m...

Endocrine nitric oxide bioactivity and hypoxic vasodilation by inhaled nitric oxide.

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, largely as a result of the pioneering research efforts of Warren Zapol. Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) dilates pulmonary resistance vessels to improve ventilation–perfusion matching before being inactivated by reactions with hemoglobin (Hb) in blood exitin...

The Capacity of Red Blood Cells to Reduce Nitrite Determines Nitric Oxide Generation under Hypoxic Conditions

Nitric oxide (NO) is a key regulator of vascular tone. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is responsible for NO generation under normoxic conditions. Under hypoxia however, eNOS is inactive and red blood cells (RBC) provide an alternative NO generation pathway from nitrite to regulate hypoxic vasodilation. While nitrite reductase activity of hemoglobin is well acknowledged, little is know...