Inhaled, nebulized sodium nitrite protects in murine and porcine experimental models of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation by limiting mitochondrial injury.

OBJECTIVE: The cellular injury that occurs in the setting of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HS/R) affects all tissue types and can drive altered inflammatory responses. Resuscitative adjuncts hold the promise of decreasing such injury. Here we test the hypothesis that sodium nitrite (NaNO2), delivered as a nebulized solution via an inhalational route, protects against injury and inflammation from HS/R. METHODS: Mice underwent HS/R to a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 20 or 25 mmHg. Mice were resuscitated with Lactated Ringers after 90-120 min of hypotension. Mice were randomized to receive nebulized NaNO2 via a flow through chamber (30 mg in 5 mL PBS). Pigs (30-35 kg) were anesthetized and bled to a MAP of 30-40 mmHg for 90 min, randomized to receive NaNO2 (11 mg in 2.5 mL PBS) nebulized into the ventilator circuit starting 60 min into the hypotensive period, followed by initial resuscitation with Hextend. Pigs had ongoing resuscitation and support for up to four hours. Hemodynamic data were collected continuously. RESULTS: NaNO2 limited organ injury and inflammation in murine hemorrhagic shock. A nitrate/nitrite depleted diet exacerbated organ injury, as well as mortality, and inhaled NaNO2 significantly reversed this effect. Furthermore, NaNO2 limited mitochondrial oxidant injury. In porcine HS/R, NaNO2 had no significant influence on shock induced hemodynamics. NaNO2 limited hypoxia/reoxia or HS/R-induced mitochondrial injury and promoted mitochondrial fusion. CONCLUSION: NaNO2 may be a useful adjunct to shock resuscitation based on its limitation of mitochondrial injury.

Nitrite-generated nitric oxide to protect against intimal hyperplasia formation.

Vascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current vascular therapeutic interventions directed at diseased vessels are restricted in long-term efficacy by the development of intimal hyperplasia and the reformation of flow-limiting disease. The vascular injury and inflammation that ensues from the intervention, especially in the setting of an existing atherosclerotic vascular disease, results in further endothelial dysfunction and subsequent smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. Although the etiology of intimal hyperplasia is multifactorial, impaired nitric oxide (NO) signaling has been implicated. The vasoprotective properties of NO have been intensely studied, and many investigations have focused on harnessing this biological system for therapeutic benefit. Continued studies investigate the role of impaired NO signaling via the classical arginine/NO synthase (NOS)/NO pathway in the setting of intimal hyperplasia. Furthermore, the possible protective effects of nitrate and nitrite-generated NO via non-NOS-mediated pathways to limit vascular injury have been recently appreciated and will likely prove to be an important vasoregulatory and vasoprotective signaling pathway.