Helicobacter pylori generates superoxide radicals and modulates nitric oxide metabolism.

During studies of the bactericidal action of nitric oxide (NO), we found that it reversibly inhibited the respiration of Escherichia coli and irreversibly inhibited the respiration of Helicobacter pylori. Peroxynitrite, a reaction product of NO and superoxide, irreversibly inhibited the respiration of both H. pylori and E. coli. H. pylori, but not E. coli, generated substantial amounts of superoxide radicals. These results suggest that NO directly inhibits the respiration of E. coli whereas it rapidly reacts with endogenously generated superoxide radicals in H. pylori. The resulting peroxynitrite inactivates the respiration of H. pylori.