Hemodynamic effects and metabolic fate of inhaled nitric oxide in hypoxic piglets

T. D. Jacob, D. K. Nakayama*, I. Seki, R. Exler, J. R. Lancaster, M. A. Sweetland, S. Yousem, R. L. Simmons, T. R. Billiar, A. B. Peitzman, E. K. Motoyama

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

We describe the hemodynamic effects and metabolic fate of inhaled NO gas in 12 anesthetized piglets. Pulmonary and systemic hemodynamic responses to incremental [NO] (5-80 ppm) were tested during ventilation with high- [0.30 inspired O2 fraction (FI(O2)] and low-O2 (0.10 FI(O2)) mixtures. In six animals, inhalation of 40 ppm NO was maintained over 6 h to test effects of prolonged exposure (0.30 FI(O2)). In the other six animals, pulmonary hypertension was induced by hypoxic ventilation (0.10 FI(O2)) and responses to NO were tested. Inhaled low [NO] partially reversed pulmonary hypertension induced by alveolar hypoxia; mean pulmonary arterial pressure decreased from 31.4 ± 2.3 mmHg during hypoxia to 18.2 ± 1.2 mmHg during 5 ppm NO. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure at 0.10 FI(O2) did not fall further at higher [NO] (10-40 ppm) and never reached control levels. Pulmonary vascular resistance increased with institution of hypoxic ventilation and fell with subsequent administration of NO, ultimately reaching control levels. Inhaled NO did not affect systemic vascular resistance. Plasma levels of NO2/- + NO3/- and methemoglobin (MetHb) levels increased with increasing [NO]. Over 6 h of NO administration during high-O2 ventilation, MetHb equilibrated at subtoxic levels while NO2/- + NO3/- increased. Nitrosylhemoglobin, analyzed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectrophotometry, was not detected in blood at any time. At the relatively low concentrations (5-80 ppm) that are effective in relieving experimental pulmonary hypertension induced by alveolar hypoxia, inhaled NO gas causes accumulation of NO2/- + NO3/- in plasma and a small increase in MetHb but no detectable nitrosylhemoglobin.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1794-1801
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Applied Physiology
Volume76
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1994
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • methemoglobinemia
  • nitrate
  • nitrite
  • pulmonary hypertension

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