Effects of endothelium-derived nitric oxide on peripheral arteriolar tone in man.
NG monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), a specific inhibitor of the synthesis of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO), was infused into the brachial arteries of healthy volunteers to study the role of NO in the control of forearm blood flow. L-NMMA caused a 50% fall in basal blood flow and attenuated the dilator response to infused acetylcholine but not that to glyceryl trinitrate. These results indicate that the dilator action of endothelium-derived NO contributes to the control of basal and stimulated regional blood flow in man. Impairment of production of NO might account for the abnormalities in vascular reactivity that characterise a wide variety of disease states.
Vallance
P
P
Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, St George's Hospital Medical School, London.
Collier
J
J
Moncada
S
S
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D001916:Brachial Artery; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008297:Male; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000187:drug effects*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013997:Time Factors; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine
D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine; D005996:Nitroglycerin; D000109:Acetylcholine