Reduction of α‐5 HbNO by dimethylsulfoxide in septic shock rats (LB638)

Abstract

Septic shock is characterized by an excess of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and NOS) like Nitric Oxide (NO). It is well known that the change in the physiological function of NO in shock is due to oxidative stress and the interaction of NO with hemoglobin (HbNO). We have formerly demonstrated that alpha‐pentacoordinate HbNO (α‐5 HbNO) specie is detected very early in hearts of rats with septic shock, and the amount of this specie increases in pace with shock. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO, a ROS scavenger) on systemic α‐5 HbNO formation in septic shocked male Wistar rats, by E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion. α‐5 HbNO was clearly detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) in venous blood. It is concluded that ROS play an important role on α‐5 HbNO formation in shock. It remains to be determined if modulation of α‐5 HbNO formation has any impact on the evolution of septic shock.