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Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase by nasal decongestants. 2000

G J Westerveld, and H P Voss, and R M van der Hee, and G J de Haan-Koelewijn, and G J den Hartog, and R A Scheeren, and A Bast
Dept of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The nasal decongestants oxymetazoline and xylometazoline are frequently used in the topical treatment of rhinitis and sinusitis. As nitric oxide (NO) is thought to play a role in inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, the aim of this study was to examine the in vitro effects of these compounds on the activity and the expression of NO producing enzymes, including the inducible form of NO synthase (iNOS) and the constitutive isoform of NO synthase (cNOS). Experiments concerning the effects of both compounds on enzymatic activity and enzyme induction of iNOS were performed in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced rat alveolar macrophage cell line (NR8383) using the Griess assay and the 3H-citrulline assay respectively. The effects on cNOS were examined in fresh rat synaptosomes using the 3H-citrulline assay. The direct scavenging properties of both compounds were investigated using a amperometric NO sensor. Oxymetazoline and xylometazoline were shown to have a dose dependent inhibitory effect on total iNOS activity indicated by nitrite/nitrate formation in the Griess assay. This effect was found to be due to an inhibition of induction of the enzyme rather than inhibition of the enzyme activity, as was investigated in two separate experiments using the 3H-citrulline assay. Inhibition of cNOS was moderate and in the same order of magnitude as the inhibition of enzymatic iNOS activity. Direct scavenging of NO could not be detected. As constitutive nitric oxide synthase activity is thought to serve beneficial physiological functions, and exaggerated inducible nitric oxide synthase activity may cause exacerbation of the inflammatory process, pharmacological treatment influencing the nitric oxide generating system should focus on inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase alone. The specific characteristics of these decongestants in vitro suggests suitability for this application and may indicate an additional beneficial effect in the treatment of upper respiratory tract inflammation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007093 Imidazoles Compounds containing 1,3-diazole, a five membered aromatic ring containing two nitrogen atoms separated by one of the carbons. Chemically reduced ones include IMIDAZOLINES and IMIDAZOLIDINES. Distinguish from 1,2-diazole (PYRAZOLES).
D008070 Lipopolysaccharides Lipid-containing polysaccharides which are endotoxins and important group-specific antigens. They are often derived from the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria and induce immunoglobulin secretion. The lipopolysaccharide molecule consists of three parts: LIPID A, core polysaccharide, and O-specific chains (O ANTIGENS). When derived from Escherichia coli, lipopolysaccharides serve as polyclonal B-cell mitogens commonly used in laboratory immunology. (From Dorland, 28th ed) Lipopolysaccharide,Lipoglycans
D010109 Oxymetazoline A direct acting sympathomimetic used as a vasoconstrictor to relieve nasal congestion. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p1251) Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride,Hydrochloride, Oxymetazoline
D002460 Cell Line Established cell cultures that have the potential to propagate indefinitely. Cell Lines,Line, Cell,Lines, Cell
D002956 Citrulline
D004790 Enzyme Induction An increase in the rate of synthesis of an enzyme due to the presence of an inducer which acts to derepress the gene responsible for enzyme synthesis. Induction, Enzyme
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014663 Nasal Decongestants Drugs designed to treat inflammation of the nasal passages, generally the result of an infection (more often than not the common cold) or an allergy related condition, e.g., hay fever. The inflammation involves swelling of the mucous membrane that lines the nasal passages and results in inordinate mucus production. The primary class of nasal decongestants are vasoconstrictor agents. (From PharmAssist, The Family Guide to Health and Medicine, 1993) Decongestant,Decongestants,Nasal Decongestant,Vasoconstrictor Agents, Nasal,Vasoconstrictors, Nasal,Agents, Nasal Vasoconstrictor,Decongestant, Nasal,Decongestants, Nasal,Nasal Vasoconstrictor Agents,Nasal Vasoconstrictors
D016676 Macrophages, Alveolar Round, granular, mononuclear phagocytes found in the alveoli of the lungs. They ingest small inhaled particles resulting in degradation and presentation of the antigen to immunocompetent cells. Alveolar Macrophages,Macrophages, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Macrophages,Macrophage, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Macrophage,Alveolar Macrophage,Macrophage, Alveolar
D051381 Rats The common name for the genus Rattus. Rattus,Rats, Laboratory,Rats, Norway,Rattus norvegicus,Laboratory Rat,Laboratory Rats,Norway Rat,Norway Rats,Rat,Rat, Laboratory,Rat, Norway,norvegicus, Rattus

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