Nitric oxide (NO) chemistry inside the body is the most interesting part of its behavior. NO is involved in controlling blood pressure, and in transmitting nerve signals and a variety of other signaling processes. To explain the behavior of NO, it is necessary to determine its immediate concentration or observe time-dependent changes in its concentration. In Paramecium caudatum, NO is formed by calcium-dependent nNOS (NOS1)-like protein, which is distributed in the cytoplasm. NO synthesis affects the ciliary beat and consequent motility of cells and blocked NO synthesis reduces the ability of cells to move. The possibility of online coupling of microdialysis (of P. caudatum solution) with NO detection is demonstrated. Direct measurement of NO is carried out using dilute Bluestar® Forensic reagent (luminol-H2 O2 system; one of the NO detections is based upon the chemiluminescent reaction between NO and the luminol-H2 O2 system, which is specifically reactive to NO). The effect of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester was observed. NO production was inhibited and the movement of P. caudatum was restricted. These effects were time dependent and after a specific time were reversed.

Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry Palacky University Olomouc Czech Republic

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