title: Endothelium-dependent modulation of resistance vessel contraction: studies with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and NG-nitro-L-arginine.
abstract: 1. The effect of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG) on noradrenaline (NA)-induced contractility and acetylcholine (ACh)-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation was studied in rat mesenteric resistance arteries. 2. Third order branches of mesenteric arteries were dissected and mounted on two forty micron wires in a Mulvany myograph. 3. Incubation with L-NAME and L-NOARG (10 microM) caused a time-dependent shift in the 50% response to NA (ED50) (0.01 microM-10 microM) but was not associated with an increase in the maximum contractile response. 4. L-NAME and L-NOARG (10 microM) caused a time-dependent inhibition of ACh (1 microM)-induced relaxation with a maximum effect after 120 min. 5. Following endothelium removal, incubation with either L-NAME or L-NOARG caused no significant shift in the ED50, although the residual relaxation response to ACh (1 microM) was further attenuated. 6. Incubation with the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, enhanced the relaxation to ACh and reduced the inhibitory effects of L-NAME and L-NOARG. 7. In conclusion, L-NAME and L-NOARG are potent inhibitors of acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in mesenteric resistance arteries. The shift in ED50 associated with these inhibitors suggests a probable role for the endothelium in modulating the contractility of the resistance vasculature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Leicester Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Watt
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thurston
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; D019335:Nitroarginine; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D014655:Vascular Resistance
chemical_list: D019335:Nitroarginine; D001120:Arginine; D000109:Acetylcholine; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; D009638:Norepinephrine; D007213:Indomethacin