Production of Nitric Oxide (No) During the Oxidation of Human Oxyhemoglobin by Nitrite: Application of A No-Selective Electrode for the Measurement of No

Abstract

By using a nitric oxide (NO) selective electrode system,N0 produced during the oxidation of human hemoglobin by nitrite was monitored. When 160 μm oxyhemoglobin (in heme) was reacted with 500 μm nitrite, NO was generated quickly at the initial lag phase of the oxidation of oxyhemoglobin by nitrite and decreased gradually during the second burst phase of the reaction, while the oxidation of oxyhemoglobin by nitrite proceeded in a sig-moidal manner including the initial lag phase and second burst phase. The maximal amount of NO produced under this conidition was estimated to be 48 μm. According to the increase of nitrite concentrations added, the amounts of NO produced at the initial phase increased, being in good accordance with the increased rate of the oxidation of oxyhemoglobin. These results strongly suggest the critical role of NO in the oxidation mechanism of oxyhemoglobin by nitrite.

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Notes on contributors

Akio Tomoda

Joyce Laing works in the Department of Child and Family Psychiatry, Playfield House, Cupar, Fife, and is a Consultant Art Therapist to Psychiatric Hospitals and Prisons and Chairwoman of the Scottish Society of Art and Psychology.