NAD(P)H oxidase contributes to the progression of remote hepatic parenchymal injury and endothelial dysfunction, but not microvascular perfusion deficits

Oxidative stress occurs in remote liver injury, but the origin of the oxidant generation has yet to be thoroughly delineated. Some reports suggest that the source of the distant oxidative stress originates from the site of initial insult [i.e., xanthine oxidase (XO)]; however, it could also be derived from sources such as phagocytic and/or vascular NAD(P)H oxidase (Nox) enzymes. With a murine model of bilateral hindlimb ischemia-reperfusion, we describe here a mechanism for Nox-dependent oxidant production that contributes, at least in part, to remote hepatic parenchymal injury and sinusoidal endothelial cell (SEC) dysfunction. To determine whether Nox enzymes were the source of oxidants, mice were treated immediately after the onset of hindlimb ischemia with specific inhibitors to XO (50 mg/kg ip allopurinol) or Nox (10 mg/kg ip gp91ds-tat and 3 mg/kg ip apocynin). After 1 h of ischemia, hindlimbs were reperfused for either 3 or 6 h. Inhibition of XO failed to provide any improvement in parenchymal injur...