Background/methods: The question whether nitric oxide protects or impairs organ perfusion during early endotoxemia has not been completely answered. To evaluate the regulative function of nitric oxide on organ microvascular perfusion and leukocyte accumulation during endotoxemia, we studied the influence of a non-selective nitric oxide inhibitor and a preferential inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (respectively, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and aminoethyl-isothiourea) on liver microcirculation (intravital fluorescence microscopy) in a rat model.
Results: Two hours after intraportal injection of lipopolysaccharide (5 mg/kg in 10 min) the rats were randomly treated and received a bolus dose of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10 mg/kg, n = 7), aminoethyl-isothiourea (10 mg/kg, n = 6) or normal saline, (n = 7). After 1 h, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester blockade yielded a higher rate of non-perfused sinusoids than normal saline (27 +/- 2% vs 19 +/- 5%, p < 0.05). LPS-induced leukocyte stagnation in sinusoids was further increased (p < 0.05) in all groups after 1 h treatment, but N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester clearly accentuated leukocyte accumulation in sinusoids as compared to normal saline (69 +/- 19% vs 16 +/- 4%, p < 0.05). Both modalities of nitric oxide blockade elicited a significant enhancement in the number of leukocytes adherent to the postsinusoidal venules in contrast to normal saline (N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester 48 +/- 17%, aminoethyl-isothiourea 33 +/- 9% vs normal saline 1 +/- 5%, p < 0.05).
Conclusions: We conclude that complete nitric oxide blockade aggravates lipopolysaccharide-induced hepatic microvascular perfusion failure and enhances leukocyte accumulation, in both sinusoids and post-sinusoidal venules. The preferential inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor aminoethyl-isothiourea has a moderate negative effect, favoring leukocyte adhesion in postsinusoidal venules, and its usefulness demands further research, especially concerning its late effects.