REACTION OF NITRIC-OXIDE AND ITS DERIVATIVES WITH SULFITES - A POSSIBLE ROLE IN SULFITE TOXICITY

The reaction between sulfites and nitric oxide or proposed carriers of nitric oxide (nitrosylated bovine serum albumin and S-nitrosoglutathi one) was investigated as a potential source of the adverse effects of sulfites on biological systems. Rapid reaction occurred between sulfit es and all of these reagents. Also, the ability of nitric oxide and th ese carriers of nitric oxide to inhibit platelet aggregation was rever sed by low concentrations of sulfites. Counteraction of nitric oxide's ability to function in cell signaling processes may be a major cause of sulfite toxicity.