Abstract
Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) have been studied for decades as red blood cell substitutes. Profound vasoconstrictor effects have limited the clinical utility of HBOCs and are attributable to avid scavenging of nitric oxide (NO). Inhaling NO can charge the body's stores of NO metabolites without producing hypotension and can prevent systemic hypertension induced when HBOCs are subsequently infused. Concurrent breathing of low NO doses can prevent pulmonary vasoconstriction after HBOC infusion without augmenting plasma methemoglobinemia.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Blood Pressure / drug effects
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Blood Substitutes / adverse effects
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Blood Substitutes / pharmacology*
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Cardiac Output / drug effects
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Free Radical Scavengers
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Hemoglobins / adverse effects
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Hemoglobins / pharmacology*
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Humans
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Hypertension / chemically induced*
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Hypertension / metabolism
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Hypertension / prevention & control
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Mice
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Nitric Oxide / administration & dosage
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Nitric Oxide / metabolism
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Nitric Oxide / pharmacology*
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Sheep
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Vascular Resistance / drug effects
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Vasoconstriction / drug effects*
Substances
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Blood Substitutes
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Free Radical Scavengers
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Hemoglobins
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HBOC 201
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Nitric Oxide