Physiologically relevant measurements of nitric oxide in cardiovascular research using electrochemical microsensors

Age-Related Changes in Skeletal Muscle Oxygen Utilization

The cardiovascular and skeletal muscle systems are intrinsically interconnected, sharing the goal of delivering oxygen to metabolically active tissue. Deficiencies within those systems that affect oxygen delivery to working tissues are a hallmark of advancing age. Oxygen delivery and utilization are reflected as muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) and are assessed using near-infrared resonance spectroscopy (NIRS). SmO2 has been observed to be reduced by ~38% at rest, ~24% during submaximal exercise, and ~59% during maximal exercise with aging (>65 y). Furthermore, aging prolongs restoration of SmO2 back to baseline by >50% after intense exercise. Regulatory factors that contribute to reduced SmO2 with age include blood flow, capillarization, endothelial cells, nitric oxide, and mitochondrial function. These mechanisms are governed by reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the cellular level. However, mishandling of ROS with age ultimately leads to alterations in structure and function of the regulatory factors tasked with maintaining SmO2. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the current state of the literature regarding age-related effects in SmO2. Furthermore, we attempt to bridge the gap between SmO2 and associated underlying mechanisms affected by aging.

Nitric Oxide Releasing Polymeric Coatings for the Prevention of Biofilm Formation

The ability of nitric oxide (NO)-releasing polymer coatings to prevent biofilm formation is described. NO-releasing coatings on (poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and silicone elastomer (SE)) were fabricated using aminosilane precursors. Pristine PET and SE were oxygen plasma treated, followed by immobilisation of two aminosilane molecules: N-(3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl)diethylenetriamine (DET3) and N-(3-trimethoxysilyl)propyl)aniline (PTMSPA). N-diazeniumdiolate nitric oxide donors were formed at the secondary amine sites on the aminosilane molecules producing NO-releasing polymeric coatings. The NO payload and release were controlled by the aminosilane precursor, as DET3 has two secondary amine sites and PTMSPA only one. The antibacterial efficacy of these coatings was tested using a clinical isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA14). All NO-releasing coatings in this study were shown to significantly reduce P. aeruginosa adhesion over 24 h with the efficacy being a function of the aminosilane modification and the underlying substrate. These NO-releasing polymers demonstrate the potential and utility of this facile coating technique for preventing biofilms for indwelling medical devices.

Au nanoparticles-3D graphene hydrogel nanocomposite to boost synergistically in situ detection sensitivity toward cell-released nitric oxide

In situ detection of nitric oxide (NO) released from living cells has become very important in studies of some critical physiological and pathological processes, but it is still very challenging due to the low concentration and fast decay of NO. A nanocomposite of Au nanoparticles deposited on three-dimensional graphene hydrogel (Au NPs-3DGH) was prepared through a facile one-step approach by in situ reduction of Au(3+) on 3DGH to build a unique sensing film for a strong synergistic effect, in which the highly porous 3DGH offers a large surface area while Au NPs uniformly deposited on 3DGH efficiently catalyze the electrochemical oxidation of NO for sensitive detection of NO with excellent selectivity, fast response, and low detection limit. The sensor was further used to in situ detect NO released from living cells under drug stimulation, showing significant difference between normal and tumor cells under drug stimulation.

Nitric oxide-eluting nanocomposite for cardiovascular implants

Cardiovascular implants must resist thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia, but they are prone to such patency limiting conditions during graft implantation and prior to endothelialisation. Nitric oxide (NO) released from the endothelium has a complex protective role in the cardiovascular system, and this study has addressed: (1) in situ NO release profiles from S-nitrosothiols ((S-Nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) and (S-Nitrosoglutathione (GSNO)) incorporated into polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanepoly(carbonate-urea)urethane (POSS-PCU) coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) in a physiological pulsatile flow, and (2) the determination of their interaction with endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), smooth muscle cells, platelets, whole blood kinetics. It was found that 1, 2, and 3 wt% SNAP/GSNO incorporated into POSS-PCU-CABG successfully eluted NO, but optimal elution was evident with 2 %-SNAP-POSS-PCU. NO release determined under static conditions using the Griess assay, and in situ measurements under pulsatile flow using amperometric probe was found to differ, thus confirming the significance of monitoring NO-elution under haemodynamic conditions. 2 %-SNAP-POSS-PCU demonstrated anti-thrombogenic kinetics through thromboelastography measurements, while metabolic activity using Alamar Blue™ assay and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated greater adhesion of EPCs and reduced adhesion of platelets.

Application of a nitric oxide sensor in biomedicine

In the present study, we describe the biochemical properties and effects of nitric oxide (NO) in intact and dysfunctional arterial and venous endothelium. Application of the NO electrochemical sensor in vivo and in vitro in erythrocytes of healthy subjects and patients with vascular disease are reviewed. The electrochemical NO sensor device applied to human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the description of others NO types of sensors are also mentioned.

What is the real physiological NO concentration in vivo?

Clarity about the nitric oxide (NO) concentrations existing physiologically is essential for developing a quantitative understanding of NO signalling, for performing experiments with NO that emulate reality, and for knowing whether or not NO concentrations become abnormal in disease states. A decade ago, a value of about 1 μM seemed reasonable based on early electrode measurements and a provisional estimate of the potency of NO for its guanylyl cyclase-coupled receptors, which mediate physiological NO signal transduction. Since then, numerous efforts to measure NO concentrations directly using electrodes in cells and tissues have yielded an irreconcilably large spread of values. In compensation, data from several alternative approaches have now converged to provide a more coherent picture. These approaches include the quantitative analysis of NO-activated guanylyl cyclase, computer modelling based on the type, activity and amount of NO synthase enzyme contained in cells, the use of novel biosensors to monitor NO release from single endothelial cells and neurones, and the use of guanylyl cyclase as an endogenous NO biosensor in tissue subjected to a variety of challenges. All these independent lines of evidence suggest the physiological NO concentration range to be 100 pM (or below) up to ∼5 nM, orders of magnitude lower than was once thought.

Real-time electrochemical detection of extracellular nitric oxide in tobacco cells exposed to cryptogein, an elicitor of defence responses

It was previously reported that cryptogein, an elicitor of defence responses, induces an intracellular production of nitric oxide (NO) in tobacco. Here, the possibility was explored that cryptogein might also trigger an increase of NO extracellular content through two distinct approaches, an indirect method using the NO probe 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) and an electrochemical method involving a chemically modified microelectrode probing free NO in biological media. While the chemical nature of DAF-2-reactive compound(s) is still uncertain, the electrochemical modified microelectrodes provide real-time evidence that cryptogein induces an increase of extracellular NO. Direct measurement of free extracellular NO might offer important new insights into its role in plants challenged by biotic stresses.

Oleanolic acid induces relaxation and calcium-independent release of endothelium-derived nitric oxide

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The present study investigated the mechanisms by which oleanolic acid, a component of olive oil, increases release of nitric oxide (NO).

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Measurements of isometric tension, NO concentration, or endothelial cell calcium were made in rat isolated mesenteric arteries. Immunoblotting for endothelial NOS (eNOS) and Akt kinase were performed in primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

KEY RESULTS

Oleanolic acid (3-30 microM) evoked endothelium-dependent relaxations in noradrenaline-contracted rat superior and small mesenteric arteries. In rat superior mesenteric arteries, oleanolic acid induced simultaneous increases in NO concentration and relaxation, and these responses were inhibited by an inhibitor of NOS, asymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine (300 microM) and by the NO scavenger, oxyhaemoglobin (10 microM). Oleanolic acid-evoked NO increases were not reduced in Ca(2+)-free solution and in the presence of an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase, thapsigargin (1 microM). Oleanolic acid evoked relaxation without changes in endothelial cell calcium, but decreased smooth muscle calcium in arterial segments. Oleanolic acid failed to increase calcium in HUVECs, but increased time-dependently phosphorylation of Akt kinase at Serine(473) (Akt-Ser(473)) and eNOS at Serine(1177) (eNOS-Ser(1177)), which was attenuated by inhibitors of phosphoinositide-3-kinase.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

This study provides direct evidence that a component of olive oil, oleanolic acid, activated endothelium-dependent release of NO and decreased smooth muscle cell calcium followed by relaxation. The oleanolic acid-evoked endothelium-derived NO release was independent of endothelial cell calcium and involved phosphoinositide-3-kinase-dependent phosphorylation of Akt-Ser(473) followed by phosphorylation of eNOS-Ser(1177).

Nitric oxide selective electrodes

Since nitric oxide (NO) was identified as the endothelial-derived relaxing factor in the late 1980s, many approaches have attempted to provide an adequate means for measuring physiological levels of NO. Although several techniques have been successful in achieving this aim, the electrochemical method has proved the only technique that can reliably measure physiological levels of NO in vitro, in vivo, and in real time. We describe here the development of electrochemical sensors for NO, including the fabrication of sensors, the detection principle, calibration, detection limits, selectivity, and response time. Furthermore, we look at the many experimental applications where NO selective electrodes have been successfully used.

Diminished NO release in chronic hypoxic human endothelial cells

The present study addressed whether chronic hypoxia is associated with reduced nitric oxide (NO) release due to decreased activation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). Primary cultures of endothelial cells from human umbilical veins (HUVECs) were used and exposed to different oxygen levels for 24 h, after which NO release, intracellular calcium, and eNOS activity and phosphorylation were measured after 24 h. Direct measurements using a NO microsensor showed that in contrast to 1-h exposure to 5% and 1% oxygen (acute hypoxia), histamine-evoked (10 μM) NO release from endothelial cells exposed to 5% and 1% oxygen for 24 h (chronic hypoxia) was reduced by, respectively, 58% and 40%. Furthermore, chronic hypoxia also lowered the amount and activity of eNOS enzyme. The decrease in activity could be accounted for by reduced intracellular calcium and altered eNOS phosphorylation. eNOS Ser1177 and eNOS Thr495 phosphorylations were reduced and increased, respectively, consistent with lowered enzyme activity. Akt kinase, which can phosphorylate eNOS Ser1177, was also decreased by hypoxia, regarding both total protein content and the phosphorylated (active) form. Moreover, the protein content of β- actin, which is known to influence the activity of eNOS, was almost halved by hypoxia, further supporting the fall in eNOS activity. In conclusion, chronic hypoxia in HUVECs reduces histamine-induced NO release as well as eNOS expression and activity. The decreased activity is most likely due to changed eNOS phosphorylation, which is supported by decreases in Akt expression and phosphorylation. By reducing NO, chronic hypoxia may accentuate endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular disease.

Membrane "lens" effect: focusing the formation of reactive nitrogen oxides from the *NO/O2 reaction

It was previously observed that lipid membranes accelerate *NO disappearance (Liu et al. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 95, 2175), and here, we demonstrate that this translates into increased rates of *NO2 production and nitrosative chemistry. Not only the phospholipid membranes but also the atherosclerosis-related low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were able to accelerate the formation of *NO2, studied by stopped-flow spectrophotometry using ABTS as a probe. In addition, membranes, LDL, and Triton X-100 micelles significantly accelerated S-nitrosation of glutathione and captopril. It is shown here that autoxidation of *NO occurs 30 times more rapidly within the hydrophobic interior of these particles than in an equal volume of water, approximately 1 order of magnitude less than previous reports. This acceleration can be explained by the approximately 3 times higher solubility of *NO and O2 into these hydrophobic phases relative to water, which results in a higher local concentration of reactants ("lens effect") and, therefore, a higher rate of reaction. It is predicted that 50% of the oxidizing and nitrosating species derived from *NO autoxidation in cells will be formed in the small volume comprising cellular membranes (3% of the total); thus, biomolecules near the membranes will be exposed to fluxes of reactive nitrogen species 30-fold higher than their cytosolic counterparts.

In vivo electrochemical detection of nitric oxide in tumor-bearing mice

Interest in elucidating the mechanisms of action of various classes of anticancer agents and exploring the pathways of the induced-nitric oxide (NO) release provides an impetus to conceive a better designed approach to locally detect NO in tumors, in vivo. We report here on the first use of an electrochemical sensor that allows the in vivo detection of NO in tumor-bearing mice. In a first step, we performed the electrochemical characterization of a stable electroactive probe, K4Fe(CN)6, directly injected into the liquid microenvironment especially created around the electrode in the tumor. Second, the ability of the inserted electrode system to detect the presence of NO itself in the tumoral tissue was achieved by using the chemically modified Pt/Ir electrode as NO sensor and two NO donor molecules: diethylammonium (Z)-1-(N,N-diethylamino)diazen-1-ium 1,2-diolate (DEA-NONOate) and (Z)-1-[N-(2-aminopropyl)-N-(2-ammonio propyl)amino]diazen-1-ium 1,2-diolate (PAPA-NONOate). These two NO donor molecules allowed proving the electrochemical detection of (i) directly injected exogenous NO phosphate buffer solution into the tumor (decomposed DEA-NONOate) and (ii) biomimetically induced endogeneous release of NO in the tumoral tissue, upon injection of PAPA-NONOate into the tumor. This approach could be applied to the in vivo study of candidate anticancer drugs acting on the NO pathways.