Inducible nitric oxide synthase in skeletal muscle of patients with chronic heart failure

Abstract Objectives. The expression and localization of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS II) was evaluated as a source of NO which has been shown to affect muscle contraction. Background. Advanced stages of chronic heart failure are associated with systemic activation of cytokines which have been shown to stimulate the expression of NOS II in various cell types, including myocytes. We hypothesized that systemic cytokine activation could lead to expression of NOS II in skeletal muscle of patients with chronic heart failure. Methods. Skeletal muscle specimens were obtained by percutaneous needle biopsy in six normal volunteers and eight patients with heart failure (New York Heart Ass…