Evidence of increased nitric oxide production in patients with the sepsis syndrome

Evans, T. , Carpenter, A., Kinderman, H. and Cohen, J. (1993) Evidence of increased nitric oxide production in patients with the sepsis syndrome. Circulatory Shock, 41(2), pp. 77-81. (PMID:8242883)

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Abstract

To investigate whether the hypotension of septic shock is due to an excess production of nitric oxide (NO), we have determined the serum levels of nitrate and nitrite (NO3/NO2), the stable end-products of NO, in 12 patients with the sepsis syndrome and marked hypotension. Compared to a mean NO3/NO2 level of 36.4 microM in controls (n = 7), the group of septic patients had a significantly elevated mean NO3/NO2 level of 124 microM (P <0.01, Wilcoxon two-sample test). A lesser elevation was also seen in a group of postoperative patients (mean level 87.3 microM, n = 7), which was significantly elevated compared to controls (P <0.01, Wilcoxon two-sample test), but was not significantly lower than the septic group (0.1 > P > 0.05, Wilcoxon two-sample test). These data suggest that NO may be responsible, at least in part, for the hypotension of septic shock.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Evans, Professor Tom
Authors: Evans, T., Carpenter, A., Kinderman, H., and Cohen, J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Circulatory Shock
ISSN:0092-6213

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