Dose-dependent attenuation of lipopolysaccharide-fever by inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide-synthase in guinea pigs

Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase or cystathionine gamma-lyase abolishes leptin-induced fever in male rats

Leptin is an adipokine that regulates energy balance and immune function. Peripheral leptin administration elicits prostaglandin E₂-dependent fever in rats. The gasotransmitters nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) are also involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced fever response. However, there is no data in the literature indicating if these gasotransmitters have a role in leptin-induced fever response. Here, we investigate the inhibition of NO and H₂S enzymes neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) in leptin-induced fever response, respectively. Selective nNOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), selective iNOS inhibitor aminoguanidine (AG), and CSE inhibitor dl-propargylglycine (PAG) were administered intraperitoneally (ip). Body temperature (Tb), food intake, and body mass were recorded in fasted male rats. Leptin (0.5 mg/kg ip) induced a significant increase in Tb, whereas AG (50 mg/kg ip), 7-NI (10 mg/kg ip), or PAG (50 mg/kg ip) caused no changes in Tb. AG, 7-NI, or PAG abolished leptin increase in Tb. Our results highlight the potential involvement of iNOS, nNOS, and CSE in leptin-induced febrile response without affecting anorexic response to leptin in fasted male rats 24 h after leptin injection. Interestingly, all the inhibitors alone had the same anorexic effect induced by leptin. These findings have implications for understanding the role of NO and H₂S in leptin-induced febrile response.

Fever onset is linked to the appearance of lipopolysaccharide in the liver

To assess the relative contributions of different phagocytes to the febrile response of guinea pigs to intravenous (i.v.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) bacterial endotoxic lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we injected fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled LPS at doses of 37.5, 75, 150, 300 and 900 μg/kg, and measured its distribution and corresponding core temperature (Tc) changes before and at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after injection. At all times, i.v. FITC-LPS appeared as granular fluorescent patches in circulating leukocytes and hepatic macrophages; its density was proportional to dose. At all doses, the density of i.v. FITC-LPS labeling decreased from its peak 15 min after injection at a rate commensurate with its dose. Intraperitoneal FITC-LPS was also present dose- and time-dependently in peritoneal macrophages, but it appeared later and accumulated more slowly except at the highest dose. Compared with i.v. FITC-LPS, its maximal appearance was always lower in density. No labeling was found at any time in brain and kidney following any dose of i.v. or i.p. FITC-LPS injection. The initiation of Tc rises was best correlated with the presence of FITC-LPS in liver, irrespective of its route of injection. Pretreatment with gadolinium chloride 3 days before LPS injection attenuated the febrile response and reduced FITC-LPS labels in liver. These results suggest that the Kupffer cells may be central to the initiation of the febrile response of guinea pigs to i.v. and i.p. LPS.

Inflammatory mediators involved in the paw edema and hyperalgesia induced by Batroxase, a metalloproteinase isolated from Bothrops atrox snake venom

Snake venom metalloproteinases have been described as responsible for several inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the edema and hyperalgesia induced in rats by Batroxase, a P-I metalloproteinase from Bothrops atrox venom, along with possible inflammatory mediators involved in these responses. Batroxase or sterile saline was injected into rat paws and the edema and hyperalgesic effects were evaluated for 6h by using a plethysmometer and a Von Frey system, respectively. Batroxase induced significant edematogenic and hyperalgesic peak responses in the first hours after administration. The inflammatory mediators involved in these responses were assayed by pretreatment of animals with synthesis inhibitors or receptor antagonists. Peak responses were significantly reduced by administration of the glucocorticoid dexamethasone, the H1 receptor antagonist diphenhydramine and the FLAP inhibitor MK-886. Rat paws injected with compound 48/80, a mast cell degranulating agent, followed by Batroxase injection resulted in significant reduction of the edema and hyperalgesia. However, Batroxase itself induced minor degranulation of RBL-2H3 mast cells in vitro. Additionally, the inflammatory responses did not seem to be related to prostaglandins, bradykinin or nitric oxide. Our results indicate a major involvement of histamine and leukotrienes in the edema and hyperalgesia induced by Batroxase, which could be related, at least in part, to mast cell degranulation.

Involvement of nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide induced anorexia

Treatment with the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a commonly used model to induce disease-related anorexia. Following LPS treatment inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is expressed in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC), where nitric oxide (NO) inhibits orexigenic neurons. Intracellular STAT signaling is triggered by inflammatory stimuli and has been linked to the transcriptional regulation of iNOS. We evaluated whether pharmacological blockade of iNOS by the specific inhibitor 1400W attenuates LPS-induced anorexia. Furthermore, we hypothesized that the tolerance to the anorectic effect occurring after repeated LPS treatment is paralleled by a blunted STAT3 phosphorylation in the ARC. Rats treated with a subcutaneous injection of 1400W (10 mg/kg) showed an attenuated anorectic LPS response relative to control rats receiving only LPS (100 µg/kg; i.p.). Similarly, iNOS blockade attenuated LPS-induced adipsia, hyperthermia, inactivity and the concomitant drop in energy expenditure. While single LPS treatment increased STAT3 phosphorylation in the ARC, rats treated repeatedly with LPS showed no anorectic response and also no STAT3 phosphorylation in the ARC after the second and third LPS injections, respectively. Hence, pSTAT3 signaling in the ARC might be part of the intracellular cascades translating pro-inflammatory stimuli into suppression of food intake. The current findings substantiate a role of iNOS dependent NO formation in disease-related anorexia.

Mediators involved in the febrile response induced by Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom in rats

Tityus serrulatus venom (Tsv) was intraperitoneally (ip) injected at doses of 75, 150 and 300mug/kg and IL-1beta (2.0 microg/kg) was given intravenously (iv) to male Wistar rats. Rectal temperature was measured by radiotelemetry. Vagotomy was performed according to Bluthe et al. [1994. Lipopolysaccharide induces sickness behaviour in rats by a vagal mediated mechanism. C R Acad. Sci. 317(6), 499-503]. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peritoneal fluid (PF) levels of bradykinin (BK) were measured by ELISA. B(1) (des-Arg(9)-[Leu(8)]-BK; DALBK) and B(2) kinin receptor (icatibant) antagonists (1.0 mg/kg each), the induced nitric oxide synthase inhibitor aminoguanidine (50.0 mg/kg), the neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (30.0 mg/kg), the dual cyclooxygenase inhibitor ibuprofen (10.0 mg/kg), the selective interleukin-1 receptor antagonist IL-ra (2.0 mg/kg) and dipyrone (120 mg/kg) were given ip. Celecoxib (5 mg/kg) was given per os (po). Tsv at doses of 75 microg/kg evoked no change in rectal temperature while at doses of 150 and 300 microg/kg it promoted long-lasting fever (2 degrees C+/-0.1). Tsv (150 microg/kg) increased by nearly 3 and 5 times, respectively BK concentration in the CSF and in the PF. Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy or 7-nitroindazole reduced, icatibant, DALBK, IL-1ra, aminoguanidine and dipyrone abolished, while ibuprofen and celecoxib failed to affect Tsv-induced fever. These results suggest that PGs do not play a relevant role, whereas, kinins via their B(1) and B(2) receptors, IL-1, nitric oxide and vagal neurotransmission are involved in Tsv-induced fever.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced fever in Pekin ducks is mediated by prostaglandins and nitric oxide and modulated by adrenocortical hormones

Information on avian fever is limited, and, in particular, very little is known about the mediators and modulators of the febrile response in birds. Therefore, in this study, the possible mediatory roles of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins (PGs), together with a potential modulatory role for adrenocortical hormones in the generation of fever was investigated in conscious Pekin ducks. Their body temperatures were continuously measured by abdominally implanted temperature-sensitive data loggers. The febrile response induced by intramuscular injection of LPS at a dose of 100 μg/kg was compared with and without inhibition of NO production by N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), inhibition of PG synthesis (by diclofenac), and elevation of circulating concentrations of dexamethasone and corticosterone (by exogenous administration). LPS administration induced a marked, monophasic fever with a rise in temperature of more than 1°C after 3–4 h. In the presence of l-NAME, diclofenac, and adrenocorticoids at doses that had no effect upon normal body temperature in afebrile ducks, there was a significant inhibition of the LPS-induced fever. In addition, during the febrile response, the blood concentration of corticosterone was significantly elevated (from a basal level of 73.6 ± 9.8 ng/ml to a peak level of 132.6 ± 16.5 ng/ml). The results strongly suggest that the synthesis of both NO and PGs is a vital step in the generation of fever in birds and that the magnitude of the response is subject to modulation by adrenocorticoids.

Interaction between inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase in Brewer's yeast induced pyrexia in mice: An isobolographic study

We studied the interaction of S-methylisothiourea (a selective inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) with rofecoxib (selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor) and mefenamic acid (non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor) in Brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia in mice by isobolographic analysis. Each drug was effective in reducing pyrexia when used alone. Log-dose-response curves of all the three drugs did not show any significant departure from parallelism indicating thereby, a common mode of antipyretic action. However, rofecoxib exhibited significantly higher potency than S-methylisothiourea. Isobolographic analysis of combination of S-methylisothiourea with rofecoxib and mefenamic acid revealed additive interaction. Experimental ED(50) of the combinations was not significantly different from theoretical additive ED(50) of the corresponding drug combination, that substantiated the additive nature of interaction between inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase in Brewer's yeast-induced fever in mice. Results suggest involvement of a mediator that is subservient to both inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme activities. For further investigation, peroxynitrite ion may be considered to be the putative mediator.

Febrigenic signaling to the brain does not involve nitric oxide

1. The involvement of peripheral nitric oxide (NO) in febrigenic signaling to the brain has been proposed because peripherally administered NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors attenuate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced fever in rodents. However, how the unstable molecule of NO can reach the brain to trigger fever is unclear. It is also unclear whether NOS inhibitors attenuate fever by blocking febrigenic signaling or, alternatively, by suppressing thermogenesis in brown fat. 2. Male Wistar rats were chronically implanted with jugular catheters; their colonic and tail skin temperatures (T(c) and T(sk)) were monitored. 3. Study 1 was designed to determine whether the relatively stable, physiologically relevant forms of NO, that is, S-nitrosoalbumin (SNA) and S-nitrosoglutathione (SNG), are pyrogenic and whether they enhance LPS fever. At a neutral ambient temperature (T(a)) of 31 degrees C, afebrile or LPS (1 microg kg(-1), i.v.)-treated rats were infused i.v. with SNA (0.34 or 4.1 micromol kg(-1); the controls received NaNO(2) and albumin) or SNG (10 or 60 micromol kg(-1); the controls received glutathione). T(c) of SNA- or SNG-treated rats never exceeded that of the controls. 4. In Study 2, we tested whether the known fever-attenuating effect of the NOS inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) at a subneutral T(a) (when fever is brought about by thermogenesis) also occurs at a neutral T(a) (when fever is brought about by skin vasoconstriction). At a subneutral T(a) of 24 degrees C, L-NAME (2.5 mg kg(-1), i.v.) attenuated LPS (10 microg kg(-1), i.v.) fever, presumably by inhibiting thermogenesis. At 31 degrees C, L-NAME enhanced LPS fever by augmenting skin vasoconstriction (T(sk) fall). 5. In summary, both SNA and SNG had no pyrogenic effect of their own and failed to enhance LPS fever; peripheral L-NAME attenuated only fever brought about by increased thermogenesis. It is concluded that NO is uninvolved in febrigenic signaling to the brain.

Role of nitric oxide in thermoregulation during septic shock: involvement of vasopressin

We tested the hypothesis that the nitric oxide (NO) pathway in the central nervous system (CNS) plays a role in hypothermia, as well as in the febrile response during experimental septic shock, by regulating vasopressin (AVP) release. Experiments were performed on male Wistar rats treated with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a non-selective NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, injected intracerebroventricularly (250 microg/1 microl) 30 min before lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 1.5 mg/kg i.v. injection. One hour after LPS administration we observed a significant drop in body temperature (hypothermic response), followed by a temperature increase after the second hour (febrile response), which remained until the end of the experiment. Increased plasmatic AVP levels were concomitantly observed during hypothermia, nearly returning to basal levels during the febrile phase. When L-NAME was administered with LPS, plasmatic AVP concentrations remained high throughout the experiment, hypothermia was accentuated and the febrile response was abolished. Additionally, pre-treatment with beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionyl1, O-Et-Tyr2, Val4, Arg8-vasopressin, an AVP V1 receptor blocker (10 microg/kg) administered i.v., reduced hypothermia and exacerbated the febrile response to endotoxin. In conclusion, our data indicate that the central NO pathway plays an inhibitory role in AVP release during experimental septic shock, which seems to be critical for the thermoregulation during this pathophysiological state.

Role of the nitric-oxide synthase isoforms during morphine-induced hyperthermia in rats

Recently, we demonstrated that the diffusible messenger molecule nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the hyperthermic response induced by morphine by using a nonselective nitric-oxide synthase inhibitor, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. The present work extended these studies to include 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), an inhibitor specific for neuronal nitric-oxide synthase (nNOS), N(5)-(-iminoethyl)-L-ornithine (L-NIO), an inhibitor of endothelial NOS (eNOS), and aminoguanidine (AG), a potent inhibitor of inducible NOS (iNOS). A biotelemetry system was used in this study to measure the body temperature (Tb). A dose of 7-NI (5 or 10 mg/kg), which did not affect Tb by itself, blocked the hyperthermia induced by morphine in a dose-dependent manner (15 mg/kg i.p.). However, pretreatment with L-NIO (10-20 mg/kg) or with AG (50 mg/kg) failed to alter the hyperthermia induced by morphine. L-NIO (10-20 mg/kg) or AG (50 mg/kg) had no effect on Tb. These results suggest the involvement of nNOS in morphine-induced hyperthermia.

Genetic Models in Applied Physiology. Differential role of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in fever of different etiologies: studies using Nos gene-deficient mice

Male C57BL/6J mice deficient in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) genes (knockout) and control (wild-type) mice were implanted intra-abdominally with battery-operated miniature biotelemeters (model VMFH MiniMitter, Sunriver, OR) to monitor changes in body temperature. Intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 50 microg/kg) was used to trigger fever in response to systemic inflammation in mice. To induce a febrile response to localized inflammation, the mice were injected subcutaneously with pure turpentine oil (30 microl/animal) into the left hindlimb. Oral administration (gavage) of N(G)-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA) for 3 days (80 mg. kg(-1). day(-1) in corn oil) before injection of pyrogens was used to inhibit all three NOSs (N(G)-monomethyl-d-arginine acetate salt and corn oil were used as control). In normal male C57BL/6J mice, l-NMMA inhibited the LPS-induced fever by approximately 60%, whereas it augmented fever by approximately 65% in mice injected with turpentine. Challenging the respective NOS knockout mice with LPS and with l-NMMA revealed that inducible NOS and neuronal NOS isoforms are responsible for the induction of fever to LPS, whereas endothelial NOS (eNOS) is not involved. In contrast, none of the NOS isoforms appeared to trigger fever to turpentine. Inhibition of eNOS, however, exacerbates fever in mice treated with l-NMMA and turpentine, indicating that eNOS participates in the antipyretic mechanism. These data support the hypothesis that nitric oxide is a regulator of fever. Its action differs, however, depending on the pyrogen used and the NOS isoform.

Fever induced by platelet-derived growth factor, in contrast to fever induced by lipopolysaccharide, depends only on nitric oxide, but not on carbon monoxide pathway

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a multifunctional protein which is known to induce a febrile response when injected intracerebroventricularly. The gaseous neurotransmitters, nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), are both known to exert thermoregulatory effects and to participate in lipopolysaccharide-induced fever. In this study, we investigated the role of NO and CO in the febrile response to PDGF-BB in rats. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of PDGF-BB produced a dose-dependent increase in body temperature. This increase in body temperature induced by PDGF-BB was exacerbated by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME-a nonselective NO synthase inhibitor) and S-methyl-L-thiocitrulline treatment [SMTC-a neuronal NOS (nNOS) selective inhibitor], but not by aminoguanidine treatment [an inducible NOS (iNOS) selective inhibitor]. Zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4-bis glycol treatment (ZnDPBG-a nonselective heme oxygenase (HO) blocker) did not affect PDGF-BB fever. Our data indicate that the NO but not the CO pathway participates in PDGF-BB fever. Furthermore, our data show that nNOS is the NOS isoform responsible for NO synthesis in this response.

Effect of inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase and guanylyl cyclase on endotoxin-induced delay in gastric emptying and intestinal transit in mice

Nitric oxide (NO) is postulated to play a role in endotoxin-induced ileus. We investigated the effect of selective blockade of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and guanylyl cyclase on endotoxin-induced ileus in mice. Thirty minutes before injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), mice were pretreated with L-NAME (N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, non-selective NOS inhibitor), 1400W (N-(3-(aminomethyl)benzyl)acetamide, selective iNOS inhibitor), ODQ (1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one, guanylyl cyclase inhibitor), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, vehicle), or dexamethasone. After 18 h, general well being deteriorated and the mice developed hypothermia and a significant delay in gastric emptying and intestinal transit as measured by Evans blue. 1400W completely reversed the endotoxin-induced delay in gastric emptying, while L-NAME did not have these beneficial effects. On the contrary, even in control mice, L-NAME delayed gastric emptying. Dexamethasone, DMSO, and ODQ mimicked the effect of 1400W on endotoxin-induced delay in gastric emptying. The endotoxin-induced delay in transit was significantly improved only by 1400W. None of the drugs reversed the hypothermia. In LPS mice treated with L-NAME, the behavior scale increased even further, while it decreased after treatment with 1400W. In conclusion, selective inhibition of iNOS reverses the endotoxin-induced delay in gastric emptying and transit and improves general well being. The pathway used by NO, derived from iNOS, may involve inhibition of guanylyl cyclase or radical scavenging.

Involvement of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in restraint stress-induced fever in rats

Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to be an important modulator of the febrile response to pyrogens and to psychological stress. In the present study, we aimed to identify the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoform (neuronal or inducible, nNOS and iNOS, respectively) involved in restraint stress fever. Colonic temperature (Tc) was measured in unanesthetized rats before and after treatment with the more selective nNOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole or with the selective iNOS inhibitor aminoguanidine (AG) under unrestrained or restrained conditions. Intraperitoneal injection of AG (25 or 50 mg/kg) did not affect restraint fever, indicating that iNOS is unlikely to be involved in restraint fever. On the other hand, intraperitoneal injection of 7-nitroindazole (25 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the rise in the Tc caused by restraint stress, whereas it caused no change in Tc of euthermic animals. These data show that NO produced by nNOS plays an important role in the genesis of restraint stress-induced fever.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase plays a role in LPS-induced hyperglycemia and insulin resistance

The molecular mechanisms underlying endotoxin-induced insulin resistance remain unclear. Endotoxin or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection is a potent stimulator of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). This study in rats, using the specific iNOS inhibitor aminoguanidine, investigated the role of iNOS in endotoxin-induced hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. LPS injection led to hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and increased iNOS protein expression and activity. Aminoguanidine prevented LPS-induced hyperglycemia without affecting insulin levels or iNOS expression. Aminoguanidine attenuated the LPS-induced insulin resistance, reflected by the requirement for a higher glucose infusion rate to maintain euglycemia during a hyperinsulinemic clamp study. Aminoguanidine completely blocked the LPS-elevated hepatic glucose output and also inhibited LPS-induced increases in hepatic glycogen phosphorylase activities and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) mRNA expression, key enzymes for glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, respectively. Thus, these data demonstrate an important role for iNOS in LPS-induced insulin resistance, evidenced by the attenuation of LPS-induced hyperglycemia and reversal of increased hepatic glucose output by aminoguanidine. The protective effect of aminoguanidine on insulin resistance is probably by attenuation of hepatic glucose output via its inhibition of key enzymes for glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, including glycogen phosphorylase and PEPCK.

Effect of central and peripheral administration of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor on morphine hyperthermia in rats

The effect of central and peripheral administration of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), on morphine hyperthermia was studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The first series of experiments examined the effect of subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of L-NAME on the hyperthermia induced by morphine given s.c. in doses of 4 and 15 mg/kg. L-NAME, at a s.c. dose of 50 mg/kg, per se, had no influence on body temperature (T(b)). Coadministration of L-NAME (50 mg/kg, s.c.) with the higher dose of morphine (15 mg/kg, s.c.) caused a significant suppression of morphine hyperthermia during the first 30 min and then produced hypothermia. In contrast, s.c. injection of L-NAME (50 mg/kg, s.c.) failed to alter the hyperthermic response induced by the lower dose of morphine (4 mg/kg). In the second series of experiments, we investigated the effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of L-NAME on the hyperthermia induced by morphine given s.c. L-NAME, itself, given i.c.v. at a dose of 1 mg did not evoke any change in T(b). Intracerebroventricular administration of L-NAME (1 mg) blocked the hyperthermia induced by 15 mg/kg morphine during the first 30 min and induced a slight hypothermia but did not alter the hyperthermia induced by 4 mg/kg morphine. The results indicate that either central or peripheral NO synthesis is required for the production of hyperthermia induced by 15 mg/kg of morphine. However, NO synthesis does not seem to be involved in the hyperthermic process induced by 4 mg/kg of morphine.