Enhanced nitrite electroreduction to ammonia via interfacial dual-site adsorption

The nitrite(NO_(2)^(−))to ammonia(NH3)electroreduction reaction(NO_(2)^(−)RR)would be impeded by sluggish proton-coupled electron transfer kinetics and competitive hydrogen evolution reaction(HER).A key to improving the NH3 selectivity is to facilitate adsorption and activation of NO_(2)^(−),which is generally undesirable in unitary species.In this work,an efficient NO_(2)^(−)RR catalyst is constructed by cooperating Pd with In2O3,in which NO_(2)^(−)could adsorb on interfacial dual-site through“Pd–N–O–In”linkage,leading to strengthened NO_(2)^(−)adsorption and easier N=O bond cleavage than that on unitary Pd or In2O3.Moreover,the Pd/In_(2)O_(3)composite exhibits moderate H^(*)adsorption,which may facilitate protonation kinetics while inhibiting competitive HER.As a result,it exhibits a fairly high NH_(3)yield rate of 622.76 mmol h^(−1)g^(−1)cat with a Faradaic efficiency(FE)of 95.72%,good selectivity of 91.96%,and cycling stability towards the NO_(2)^(−)RR,surpassing unitary In_(2)O_(3)and Pd/C electrocatalysts.Besides,computed results indicate that NH_(3)production on Pd/In_(2)O_(3)follows the deoxidation to hydrogenation pathway.This work highlights the significance of H^(*)and NO_(2)^(−)adsorption modulation and N=O activation in NO_(2)^(−)RR electrochemistry by creating synergy between a mediocre catalyst with an appropriate cooperator.

Comprehensive understanding of the thriving electrocatalytic nitrate/nitrite reduction to ammonia under ambient conditions

Ammonia(NH_(3))is a multifunctional compound that is an important feedstock for the agricultural and pharmaceutical industries and attractive energy storage medium.At present,NH_(3)synthesis is highly dependent on the conventional Haber–Bosch process that operates under harsh conditions,which consumes large quantities of fossil fuels and releases a large amount of carbon dioxide.As an alternative,electrosynthesis is a prospective method for producing NH_(3)under normal temperature and pressure conditions.Although electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction to ammonia has attracted considerable attentions,the low solubility of N_(2)and high N≡N cracking energy render the achievements of high NH_(3) yield rate and Faradaic efficiency difficult.Nitrate and nitrite(NO_(x)^(-))are common N-containing pollutants.Due to their high solubilities and low dissociation energy of N=O,NO_(x)^(-)−are ideal raw materials for NH_(3) production.Therefore,electrocatalytic NO_(x)^(-)−reduction to NH_(3)(eNO_(x)RR)is a prospective strategy to simultaneously realise environmental protection and NH_(3) synthesis.This review offers a comprehensive understanding of the thriving eNO_(x)RR under ambient conditions.At first,the popular theory and mechanism of eNO_(x)RR and a summary of the measurement system and evaluation criteria are introduced.Thereafter,various strategies for developing NO_(x)−reduction catalysts are systematically presented and discussed.Finally,the challenges and possible prospects of electrocatalytic NO_(x)^(-1) reduction are outlined to facilitate energy-saving and environmentally friendly large-scale synthesis of NH_(3) in the future.

Assessment of Nitrates and Nitrites in Borehole Water from the Southern and the Northern Region of Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa)

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of water from village boreholes by measuring physicochemical parameters such as nitrates, nitrites, and total organic carbon (TOC). Forty-five (45) village pumps from the Southern (Basse Côte) and the Northern (Korhogo) region of Cte d’Ivoire (west Africa) were sampled. Physicochemical parameters such as temperature, pH, conductivity at 25˚C, and turbidity were determined in situ, while nitrite and nitrate were analyzed according to ISO 10304-1 (2007) standard and total organic carbon (TOC) by NF EN 1484 (1997) standard. The results showed that the borehole waters of the Basse Côte and Korhogo analyzed are acidic, with an average temperature of 27.51˚C ± 0.16˚C and 29.95˚C ± 0.51˚C respectively for the Basse Côte and Korhogo regions. The borehole waters of the Basse Côtedo not contain nitrites, while those of Korhogo have average nitrite contents of 0.32 mg/l. The average nitrate rate in the waters of the Basse Côte and Korhogo are 12.08 ± 2.11 mg/l and 11.03 ± 3.18 mg/l respectively. The average TOC concentration of the waters of the Basse Côte is 1.28 ± 0.32 mg/l and that of Korhogo is 0.56 ± 0.09 mg/L. The study showed that the borehole waters of the Basse Côte and Korhogo have average temperatures between 27.4˚C and 29.95˚C with a slightly acidic pH value and acceptable salinity. The TOC concentrations obtained at the different sampling points were all below the French standard (2 mg/L) except for certains pumps of the Basse Côte. The water samples from the Basse Côte were devoid of nitrite. On the other hand, those from Korhogo revealed the presence of nitrite. Also, the borehole waters of the regions of the Basse Côte and Korhogo contain relatively high nitrate contents, presumably due to anthropometric activity. Overall, our study on the quality of drinking water showed that the waters analyzed are in compliance with international standards and safe for consumption.

Effects of Standing Time during Pretreatment on the Nitrite Concentration Detected by Spectrophotometric Method

Food safety problems caused by excessive nitrite addition have been frequently reported and the detection of nitrite in food is particularly important. The standing time during the pretreatment of primary sample has a great influence on the concentration of nitrite tested by spectrophotometric method. In this context, three kinds of food samples are prepared, including canned mustard, canned fish and home-made pickled water. A series of standing times are placed during the sample pretreatments and the corresponding nitrite contents in these samples are detected by spectrophotometric method based on N-ethylenediamine dihydrochloride. This study aims to find out a reasonable standing time during the pretreatment of food sample, providing influence factor for precise detection of nitrite.

Solvent extraction and separation of cobalt from leachate of spent lithium-ion battery cathodes with N263 in nitrite media

To effectively separate and recover Co(Ⅱ) from the leachate of spent lithium-ion battery cathodes,we investigated solvent extraction with quaternary ammonium salt N263 in the sodium nitrite system.NO_(2)^(-)combines with Co(Ⅱ) to form an anion [Co(NO_(2))_(3)]^(-),and it is then extracted by N263.The extraction of Co(Ⅱ) is related to the concentration of NO_(2)^(-).The extraction efficiency of Co(Ⅱ) reaches the maximum of99.16%,while the extraction efficiencies of Ni(Ⅱ),Mn(Ⅱ),and Li(Ⅰ) are 9.27%-9.80% under the following conditions:30vol% of N263 and15vol% of iso-propyl alcohol in sulfonated kerosene,the volume ratio of the aqueous-to-organic phase is 2:1,the extraction time is 30 min,and1 M sodium nitrite in 0.1 MHNO_(3).The theoretical stages require for the Co(Ⅱ) extraction are performed in the McCabe–Thiele diagram,and the extraction efficiency of Co(Ⅱ) reaches more than 99.00% after three-stage counter-current extraction with Co(Ⅱ) concentration of 2544mg/L.When the HCl concentration is 1.5 M,the volume ratio of the aqueous-to-organic phase is 1:1,the back-extraction efficiency of Co(Ⅱ)achieves 91.41%.After five extraction and back-extraction cycles,the Co(Ⅱ) extraction efficiency can still reach 93.89%.The Co(Ⅱ) extraction efficiency in the actual leaching solution reaches 100%.

Controllable NO Release for Catheter Antibacteria from Nitrite Electroreduction over the Cu-MOF

Implant-associated infections caused by biomedical catheters severely threaten patients'health.The use of electrochemical control on NO release from benign nitrite equipped in the catheter can potentially resolve this issue with excellent biocompatibility.Inspired by nitrite reductase,a Cu-BDC(BDC:benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid)catalyst with coordinated Cu(Ⅱ)sites was constructed as a heterogeneous electrocatalyst to control nitrite reduction to nitric oxide for catheter antibacteria.The combined results of in situ and ex situ tests unveil the key function of interconversion between Cu(Ⅱ)and Cu(Ⅰ)species in NO_(2)^(-)reduction to NO.After being incorporated into the actual catheter,the Cu-BDC catalyst exhibits high electrocatalytic activity toward NO_(2)^(-)reduction to NO and excellent antibacteria efficacy with a sterilizing rate of 99.9%,paving the way for the development of advanced metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)electrocatalysts for catheter antibacteria.

Sources and transformations of nitrite in the Amundsen Sea in summer 2019 and 2020 as revealed by nitrogen and oxygen isotopes

In this study,the nitrogen and oxygen isotope compositions of nitrite in the upper 150 m water column of the Amundsen Sea in the summer of 2019 and 2020 were measured to reveal the distribution and transformation of nitrite in the euphotic zone of the Southern Ocean.We found that primary nitrite maxima(PNMs)are widely present in the Amundsen Sea,where the depth of occurrence deepens from east to west and nitrite concentrations increases.Evidence from dual isotopes suggests that the formation of PNMs in all regions of the Amundsen Sea is dominated by ammonia oxidation.More importantly,the nitrogen and oxygen isotope compositions of nitrite in the Amundsen Sea mixed layer are abnormal,and their depth profiles are mirror symmetrical.Isotopic anomalies exhibit spatial variations,with central surface water having the lowest nitrogen isotope composition(−89.9‰±0.2‰)and western surface water having the highest oxygen isotope composition(63.3‰±0.3‰).Isotopic exchange reaction between nitrate and nitrite is responsible for these isotope anomalies,as both nitrogen and oxygen isotopes have large isotopic fractionation and opposite enrichment effects.This proves that isotopic exchange reaction operates extensively in different regions of the Amundsen Sea.Our study highlights the unique role of dual isotopes of nitrite in deepening the understanding of nitrogen cycle.Further studies on ammonia oxidation and isotopic exchange between nitrate and nitrite are warranted in the future to understand their roles in the nitrogen cycle in the Southern Ocean.

Acute hemolytic anemia in a 34-year-old man after inhalation of a volatile nitrite “popper” product

Inhaled nitrites have been used recreationally for centuries,particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM).^([1])After inhalation,this substance quickly enters the blood;within seconds,it can produce a temporary sense of warmth and pleasure,and relax the anal sphincter to relieve the pain of anal sex.^([2,3])“Popper”and“rush”are slang terms given to drugs of the chemical class called amyl nitrite or isobutyl nitrite.Nitrites oxidize hemoglobin to methemoglobins and may increase proteolytic susceptibility of hemoglobin,leading to oxidative hemolysis.Thus,their use is associated with methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia,^([4])although nitrite-induced hemolytic anemia has been described only in rare cases (supplementary Table 1).^([4-9])Herein,we report a case of acute hemolytic anemia associated with the use of amyl nitrite.

Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of Nitrite Based on Cationic Surfactant Modification of Conductive Carbon Black

Nitrite is a commonly used additive in cured foods and its sensitive detection is important to human health.In this work,a simple but sensitive electrochemical sensor for nitrite was developed.Conductive carbon black(VXC-72R)functionalized with a cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide(CTAB)was used as an electrode material,and was coated on a glassy carbon electrode(GCE)to fabricate the electrochemical sensor(CTAB/VXC-72R/GCE)for nitrite.Zeta potential characterization and a series of electrochemical tests were carried out on several materials.It was found that the present sensor showed an enhanced sensitivity towards nitrite detection due to the enhanced surface positive charge revealed by the Zeta potential.Under optimal conditions,the ranges of good linear relationship between the peak current and the nitrite concentration were obtained to be 0.5-5.0μmol/L and 5.0-1087.0μmol/L with a lower detection limit of 0.30μmol/L.It was also successfully used for the determination of nitrite in cured food samples with excellent reproducibility,stability and selectivity.

Study on Changes of Nitrite Content in Two Kinds of Foods under Different Storage Conditions

[Objectives]This study was conducted to store and consume overnight vegetables more safely and reasonably.[Methods]Fried cabbage and barbecue was selected as raw materials,which were determine by Griess reagent colorimetry for the effects of storage time,storage temperature and storage method on the changes in nitrite content in the two foods.[Results]The nitrite content in fried cabbage and barbecue increased with the prolongation of storage time.Both types of food,whether stored in a sealed or open manner,had a nitrite content that increased with the storage temperature.When barbecue was stored in an open manner,its nitrite content was greater than that in sealed storage.The condition of stir-fried cabbage was the same as barbecue when stored at 10℃,but the situation was opposite when stored at 20 and 30℃.In this study,except for the slightly excessive nitrite content in stir-fried cabbage stored at 30℃in open and sealed conditions for 72 h,the nitrite contents in both foods under other storage conditions all met the national standard limit.[Conclusions]This study provides a theoretical basis for the safe and reasonable storage and use of leftovers.

Process Optimization and Modeling by Response Surface Methodology of Nitrite Electro-Reduction by Ti/RuO2 + IrO2 Electrode

Electrochemical reduction is one of the most suitable methods for the treatment of highly nitrate-contaminated solutions. This work focuses on the optimization of parameters influencing the electrochemical denitrification of water by the Ti/RuO2 + IrO2 electrode. The methodological approach used consists in carrying out a series of electrolysis by scrutinizing the reaction selectivity according to the experimental conditions. For this study, the ions concentrations before and after electrolysis were determined by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The results of the process optimization showed that the electrochemical reduction ofis efficient at neutral pH after 120 mn of electrolysis at -100 mA. In contrast to works found in the literature, this study highlighted the process modeling that could open interesting perspectives to develop new treatment methods of polluted waters.

Achieving and maintaining biological nitrogen removal via nitrite under normal conditions

The principal aim of this paper is to develop an approach to realize stable biological nitrogen removal via nitrite under normal conditions. Validation of the new method was established on laboratory-scale experiments applying the sequencing batch reactor（SBR） activated sludge process to domestic wastewater with low C/N ratio. The addition of sodium chloride（NaCI） to influent was established to achieve nitrite build-up. The high nitrite accumulation, depending on the salinity in influent and the application duration of salt, was obtained in SBRs treating saline wastewater. The maintenance results indicated that the real-time SBRs can maintain stable nitrite accumulation, but conversion from shorter nitrification-denitrification to full nitrification-denitrification was observed after some operation cycles in the other SBR with fixed-time control. The presented method is valuable to offer a solution to realize and to maintain nitrogen removal via nitrite under normal conditions.

Effects of seawater salinity on nitrite accumulation in short-range nitrification to nitrite as end product

The effect of seawater salinity on nitrite accumulation in short-range nitrification to nitrite as the end product was studied by using a SBR. Experimental results indicated that the growth of nitrobacteria was inhibited and very high levels of nitrite accumulation at different salinities were achieved under the conditions of 25—28℃, pH 7.5? ?.0 , and the influent ammonia nitrogen of 40—70 mg/L when seawater flow used to flush toilet was less than 35%(salinity 12393 mg/L, Cl - 6778 mg/L) of total domestic wastewater flow, which is mainly ascribed to much high chlorine concentration of seawater. Results showed that high seawater salinity is available for short-range nitrification to nitrite as the end product. When the seawater flow used to flush toilet accounting for above 70% of the total domestic wastewater flow, the removal efficiency of ammonia was still above 80% despite the removal of organics declined obviously(less than 60%). It was found that the effect of seawater salinity on the removal of organics was negative rather than positive one as shown for ammonia removal.

Community analysis of ammonia and nitrite oxidizers in start-up of aerobic granular sludge reactor

A lab-scale sequencing batch reactor （SBR） was set-up and the aerobic granular sludge was successfully incubated using anaerobic granular sludge as seed sludge. Nitrogen was partially removed by simultaneous nitrification and denitrification （SND） via nitrite with free ammonia （FA） of about 10 mg/L. The denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE） method was used to investigate community structure of α-Proteobacteria, β-Proteobacteria, ammonia oxidizing bacteria （AOB）, and Nitrospira populations during start-up. The population sizes of bacteria, AOB and Nitrospira were examined using real-time PCR method. The analysis of community structure and Shannon index showed that stable structure of AOB population was obtained at day 35, while the communities of α- Proteobacteria, β-Proteobacteria, and Nitrospira became stable after day 45. At stable stage, the average cell densities were 1.1× 10^12, 2.2×10^10 and 1.0×10^10 cells/L for bacteria, AOB and Nitrospira, respectively. The relationship between characteristics of nitrifying bacteria community and nitrogenous substrate utilization constant was discussed by calculating Pearson correlation. Certain correlation seemed to exist between population size, biodiversity, and degradation constant. And the influence of population size might be greater than that of biodiversity.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate sodium nitrite-induced hypoxic brain injury in a rat model

Sodium nitrite（Na NO2） is an inorganic salt used broadly in chemical industry. Na NO2 is highly reactive with hemoglobin causing hypoxia. Mesenchymal stem cells（MSCs） are capable of differentiating into a variety of tissue specific cells and MSC therapy is a potential method for improving brain functions. This work aims to investigate the possible therapeutic role of bone marrow-derived MSCs against Na NO2 induced hypoxic brain injury. Rats were divided into control group（treated for 3 or 6 weeks）, hypoxic（HP） group（subcutaneous injection of 35 mg/kg Na NO2 for 3 weeks to induce hypoxic brain injury）, HP recovery groups N-2 w R and N-3 w R（treated with the same dose of Na NO2 for 2 and 3 weeks respectively, followed by 4-week or 3-week self-recovery respectively）, and MSCs treated groups N-2 w SC and N-3 w SC（treated with the same dose of Na NO2 for 2 and 3 weeks respectively, followed by one injection of 2 × 106 MSCs via the tail vein in combination with 4 week self-recovery or intravenous injection of Na NO2 for 1 week in combination with 3 week self-recovery）. The levels of neurotransmitters（norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin）, energy substances（adenosine monophosphate, adenosine diphosphate, adenosine triphosphate）, and oxidative stress markers（malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, glutathione reduced form, and oxidized glutathione） in the frontal cortex and midbrain were measured using high performance liquid chromatography. At the same time, hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe the pathological change of the injured brain tissue. Compared with HP group, pathological change of brain tissue was milder, the levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, oxidized glutathione, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, norepinephrine, serotonin, glutathione reduced form, and adenosine triphosphate in the frontal cortex and midbrain were significantly decreased, and glutathione reduced form/oxidized glutathione and adenosine monophosphate/adenosine triphosphate ratio were significantly increased in the MSCs treated groups. These findings suggest that bone marrow-derived MSCs exhibit neuroprotective effects against Na NO2-induced hypoxic brain injury through exerting anti-oxidative effects and providing energy to the brain.

Nitrite,a novel method to decrease ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat liver

AIM:To investigate whether nitrite administered prior to ischemia/reperfusion(I/R)reduces liver injury.METHODS:Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to 3 groups,including sham operated(n=8),45-min segmental ischemia of the left liver lobe(IR,n=14)and ischemia/reperfusion(I/R)preceded by the administration of 480 nmol of nitrite(n=14).Serum transaminases were measured after 4 h of reperfusion.Liver microdialysate(MD)was sampled in 30-min intervals and analyzed for glucose,lactate,pyruvate and glycerol as well as the total nitrite and nitrate(NOx).The NOx was measured in serum.RESULTS:Aspartate aminotransferase(AST)at the end of reperfusion was higher in the IR group than in the nitrite group(40±6.8μkat/L vs 22±2.6μkat/L,P=0.022).Similarly,alanine aminotransferase(ALT)was also higher in the I/R group than in the nitrite group(34±6μkat vs 14±1.5μkat,P=0.0045).The NOx in MD was significantly higher in the nitrite group than in the I/R group(10.1±2.9μmol/L vs 3.2±0.9μmol/L,P=0.031)after the administration of nitrite.During ischemia,the levels decreased in both groups and then increased again during reperfusion.At the end of reperfusion,there was a tendency towards a higher NOx in the I/R group than in the nitrite group(11.6±0.7μmol/L vs 9.2±1.1μmol/L,P=0.067).Lactate in MD was significantly higher in the IR group than in the nitrite group(3.37±0.18 mmol/L vs 2.8±0.12 mmol/L,P=0.01)during ischemia and the first 30 min of reperfusion.During the same period,glycerol was also higher in the IRI group than in the nitrite group(464±38μmol/L vs 367±31μmol/L,P=0.049).With respect to histology,there were more signs of tissue damage in the I/R group than in the nitrite group,and29%of the animals in the I/R group exhibited necrosis compared with none in the nitrite group.Inducible nitric oxide synthase transcription increased between early ischemia(t=15)and the end of reperfusion in both groups.CONCLUSION:Nitrite administered before liver ischemia in the rat liver reduces anaerobic metabolism and cell necrosis,which could be important in the clinical setting.

Model-based evaluation on the conversion ratio of ammonium to nitrite in a nitritation process for ammonium-rich wastewater treatment

Modeling for nitritation process was discussed and analyzed quantitatively for the factors that influence nitrite accumulation. The results indicated that pH, inorganic carbon source and Hydraulic Retention Time(HRT) as well as biomass concentration are the main factors that influenced the conversion ratio of ammonium to nitrite. A constant high pH can lead to a high nitritation rate and results in high conversion ratio on condition that free ammonia inhibition do not happen. In a CSTR system, without pH control, this conversion ratio can be monitored by pH variation in the reactor. The pH goes down far from the inlet level means a strongly nitrite accumulation. High concentration of alkalinity can promoted the conversion ratio by means of accelerating the nitritation rate through providing sufficient inorganic carbon source(carbon dioxide). When inorganic carbon source was depleted, the nitritation process stopped. HRT adjustment could be an efficient way to make the nitritation system run more flexible, which to some extent can meet the requirements of the fluctuant of inlet parameters such as ammonium concentration, pH, and temperature and so on. Biomass concentration is the key point, especially for a CSTR system in steady state, which was normally circumscribed by the characteristics of bacteria and may also affected by aeration mode and can be increased by prolonging the HRT on the condition of no nitrate accumulation when no recirculation available. The higher the biomass concentration is, the better the nitrite accumulation can be obtained.

Sequential injection spectrophotometric determination of nanomolar nitrite in seawater by on-line preconcentration with HLB cartridge

The unstable state of nitrite results in its very low concentration in seawater, which is below the limit of detection （LOD） of conventional techniques of analysis. Some sensitivity-enhanced methods have been proposed for the determination of nitrite at nanomolar level to illustrate the role of nitrite in the marine nitrogen cycle. However, most of previous reports are not widely accepted, because of their complexity and cost equipment or intensive labor requirement. In this study, a simple automatic system for the determination of nanomolar level nitrite using on-line preconcentration with spectrophotometric detection was described..An Oasis HLB cartridge was adopted to quantitatively enrich the pink-colored azo compound, formed from nitrite via Griess reaction. The cartridge was rinsed with water and ethanol （volume fraction is 55%, the same below）, in turn, then eluted by an eluent containing 50% ethanol and 0.25 M（mol/dm^3） H2SO4, and determined at 543 nm with a 2 cm path-length flow cell. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the calibration curve showed a good linearity in the range of 1.4 85.7 aM, and the LOD （3a） was estimated to be 0.5 nM. The relative standard deviations of 7 measurements were 4.0% and 1.0% for the samples spiked at 7.1 and 28.6 nM, respectively. The recoveries for the different natural water samples were between 92.2%-108.4%. Each HLB cartridge could be reused for at least 50 times. As compared with other SPE methods, the advantages of this method included the free of interference from salinity variation and less sample consuming. The results of the application of the proposed method to natural water showed good agreement with liquid waveguide capillary cell detection method.

Nitrate-nitrite-nitrosamines exposure and the risk of type 1 diabetes: A review of current data

The potential toxic effects of nitrate-nitrite-nitrosamine on pancreatic β cell have remained a controversial issue over the past two decades. In this study, we reviewed epidemiological studies investigated the associations between nitrate-nitrite-nitrosamines exposure, from both diet and drinking water to ascertain whether these compounds may contribute to development of type 1 diabetes. To identify relevant studies, a systematic search strategy of Pub Med, Scopus, and Science Direct was conducted using queries including the key words "nitrate", "nitrite", "nitrosamine" with "type 1 diabetes" or "insulin dependent diabetes mellitus". All searches were limited to studies published in English. Ecologic surveys, case-control and cohort studies have indicated conflicting results in relation to nitrate-nitrite exposure from drinking water and the risk of type 1 diabetes. A null, sometimes even negative association has been mainly reported in regions with a mean nitrate levels < 25 mg/L in drinking water, while increased risk of type 1 diabetes was observed in those with a maximum nitrate levels > 40-80 mg/L. Limited data are available regarding the potential diabetogenic effect of nitrite from drinking water, although there is evidence indicating dietary nitrite could be a risk factor for development of type 1 diabetes, an effect however that seems to be significant in a higher range of acceptable limit for nitrate/nitrite. Current data regarding dietary exposure of nitrosamine and development of type 1 diabetes is also inconsistent. Considering to an increasing trend of type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM) along with an elevated nitrate-nitrite exposure, additional research is critical to clarify potential harmful effects of nitrate-nitritenitrosamine exposure on β-cell autoimmunity and the risk of T1DM.

Nitrite-derived nitric oxide by xanthine oxidoreductase protects the liver against ischemia- reperfusion injury

It was demonstrated that xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR), during ischemia, catalyzes the formation of nitric oxide (NO) from nitrite (NO_2^-) and this NO_2^--derived NO protects the isolated perfused rat heart against the damaging effects of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) when conventional nitric oxide synthase (NOS) -dependent NO production is impaired. Liver is one of the organs with the highest XOR concentration. This study was designed to determine whether NO_2^--derived NO by XOR protects liver against I/R injury in vivo. For its minute amounts and active reactivity, NO can not be detected directly in real time in vivo by this time. We have to prove the above hypothesis indirectly. METHODS:Wistar rats were pretreated with saline, NOS inhibitor L-NAME (10 mg/kg intravenously), XOR inhibitor allopurinol (1.5 mg/kg orally), L-NAME +allopurinol and NO scavenger carboxy-PTIO (0.6 mg/kg intravenously) respectively (12 animals per group). And then, they were subjected to total liver ischemia for 40 minutes followed by reperfusion. Blood samples and liver tissues were obtained for analysis after 3 hours of reperfusion. Survival was also investigated. RESULTS:Allopurinol-treated animals exhibited further increased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and liver myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities, but further decreased liver adenosine triphosphate (ATP) stores after I/R compared to saline-treated counterparts (830.5±108.3 U/L, 56.5±11.0 U/mg protein and 1.93±0.47 μmol/g vs. 505.8± 184.2 U/L, 41.5±10.2 U/mg protein and 3.05±0.55 μmol/g respectively, P<0.01, P<0.05 and P<0.01 respectively). The hepatocyte injury was further exacerbated and the overall survival rate was significantly decreased after I/R in animals given by allopurinol compared to those pretreated by saline (P<0.05). L-NAME and allopurinol co-treated animals exhibited more severe liver injury (P<0.05 and P<0.01) and a further decreased overall survival rate (P<0.05) compared to L-NAME or allopurinol alone-treated counterparts, but they were not different from carboxy-PTIO treated animals (P>0.05). CONCLUSION:NO_2^--derived NO by XOR in the hypoxic and acidic environment induced by hepatic I/R protects the liver against I/R injury in vivo.