Therapy with nitric oxide (NO) is often combined with high inspiratory oxygen, and as a free radical NO may modify pulmonary effects of reactive oxygen species generated by hyperoxia. As indicator of free radical induced lipid peroxidation we measured exhaled pentane in Wistar rats (weight 200-290 g) exposed to 95%O2 and to 40 PPM NO in 21% or 95% O2 for 6 hrs. In controls exposed to 21% O2 (N=6) expired pentane was 2.4±0.4 pmol/min/100g; with 95% O2 (N=6) it was 4.8±0.6 (p=0.005 vs 21%O2); with 40 PPM NO+21% O2(N=6) 3.1±0.7 (p=0.2 vs 21%O2); and with 40 PPM NO+95% O2 (N=6) 2.6±O.6 (p=0.02 vs 95%O2). In all experiments the concentration of NO2 remained below 4 PPM.

In vivo hyperoxia causes significant increase in free radical induced lipid peroxidation already after 6 hrs exposure. NO in a concentration similar to those in clincial use significantly decreases the lipid peroxidation caused by hyperoxia.

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