NITRIC-OXIDE SYNTHASE ACTIVITY IS INCREASED IN PATIENTS WITH SEPSIS SYNDROME

1. We measured nitric oxide synthase activity in peripheral blood poly morphonuclear leucocytes from 10 patients with sepsis syndrome and 10 healthy subjects. 2. Synthase activity was significantly higher in pat ients with sepsis than in control subjects (1202+/-579 compared with 5 95+/-544 pmol of nitric oxide min(-1) mg(-1) of cell protein, P<0.05). 3. Activity was greatest in those patients with the larger number of organ failures, although this failed to reach significance (1489+/-560 in patients with three or more organ failures and 843+/-404 pmol of n itric oxide min(-1) mg(-1) of cell protein in those with less than thr ee, P=0.11). 4. This study provides evidence for the role of overprodu ction of the vasodilator nitric oxide in sepsis syndrome.