Quinone-enhanced sonochemical production of nitric oxide from s-nitrosoglutathione

Sonolysis at 75 kHz of argon- and air-saturated aqueous solutions at pH 7.4 containing s-nitrosogluthathione (GSNO) enhances the production rate of nitric oxide (NO). The quinones, anthraquinone-2-sulfonate (AQ2S) and anthraquinone-2,7-disulfonate (AQ27S) further enhance the NO production over that produced in quinone-depleted sonicated solutions. In contrast, the hydrophobic quinones juglone (JQ) and 1,4-naphthoquinone (NQ) inhibit ultrasound-induced NO detection as compared to quinone-depleted solutions. Larger sonolytical decomposition of the hydrophobic quinones NQ and JQ, as compared to AQ2S and AQ27S, is detected which correlates with a larger production of pyrolysis-derived carbon-centered radicals. Reaction of those radicals with NO could explain NQ and JQ inhibition. This work suggests that sulfonated quinones could be used to enhance NO release from GSNO in tissues undergoing ultrasound irradiation.