Effect of l-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, on plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF[alpha] and nitrite/nitrate in human septic shock

Objectives: We tested the effects of N^sup G^-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, on plasma levels of interleukin (IL) IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and nitrite/nitrate (NO^sub 2^^sup -^/NO^sub 3^^sup -^) in patients with severe septic shock. Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: Surgical intensive care unit at a university hospital. Patients: 11 consecutive patients with severe septic shock. Interventions: Standard hemodynamic measurements were made and blood samples taken at intervals before, during, and after a 12-h infusion of l-NAME 1 mg · kg^sup -1^ ·h^sup -1^ for determination of plasma IL-6, IL-8, TNFα and NO^sub 2^^sup -^/NO^sub 3^^sup -^ concentration. Measurements and results: Patients with sepsis had increased plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, and NO^sub 2^^sup -^/NO^sub 3^^sup -^ (p