NITRIC-OXIDE SYNTHESIS IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED HIV-INFECTION

The discovery that humans produce nitric oxide and that this molecule plays an important role in cell communication, host resistance to infe ction, and perhaps in host defence to neoplastic disease, has created much interest in further research on its function in the body. A cytok ine-inducible high output L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway was recently detected in patients with advanced malignancy treated with IL-2. The production of nitric oxide was thus examined in patients with advanced HIV infection and in intensive care unit control patients. Extrinsic nitrate and nitrite consumption were carefully controlled in the diet or through the use of total parenteral nutrition. Seven of eight HIVpatients were placed into positive nitrogen balance. Nitric oxide synt hesis was found to be within the normal human range. In contrast, nitr ic oxide synthesis in extremely ill intensive care unit patients was l ow normal to depressed.