title: The vasodilator role of endogenous nitric oxide in the rat gastric microcirculation.
abstract: The role of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) in the gastric microcirculation of the anaesthetised rat was investigated using the selective inhibitor of NO synthesis, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). L-NMMA (12.5-50 mg kg-1 i.v.) induced a dose-dependent increase in systemic arterial blood pressure (BP) and fall in resting gastric mucosal blood flow (MBF), as estimated by hydrogen-gas clearance. The effects of L-NMMA on BP and MBF were abolished by concurrent administration of L-arginine. The enantiomer D-NMMA had no effect on resting BP or MBF. These findings indicate that endogenous NO, derived from L-arginine, plays a local vasodilator role in the gastric mucosal microvasculature.
authors.affiliation: Gastro-intestinal Unit, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pique
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Whittle
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Esplugues
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine
chemical_list: D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine