CHANGES IN THE PRODUCTION OF NITRIC-OXIDE AND SUPEROXIDE BY INFLAMMATORY CELLS IN LIVER-CIRRHOSIS

Superoxide (O-2(-)) and nitric oxide (NO) production by polymorphonucl ear leukocyte (PMNs) and monocytes in patients with liver cirrhosis we re evaluated. PMNs obtained from cirrhotic patients were less effectiv e than those from controls in producing O-2(-) after stimulation with opsonized zymosan, while they were more effective in producing NO, as shown by the inhibition of platelet aggregation and by the increase in cGMP content. NO synthase activity was higher in leukocytes from cirr hotic patients than in controls. A correlation was found between the c ardiac index and the observed changes in the inflammatory cells.