title: Effect of inhibition of NO synthase on vascular reactivity in a rat model of hyperdynamic sepsis.
abstract: To evaluate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the attenuated vascular reactivity observed in sepsis, we utilized the specific NO synthase inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 16) were randomized to either sepsis induced by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP; n = 8) or sham procedure (Sham; n = 8). Vascular reactivity was assessed by measuring the pulmonary pressor response to hypoxia (HPV) (fractional inspired O2 concentration = 0.08) and the pulmonary and systemic pressor response to an intravenous infusion of phenylephrine (1.5-6.0 micrograms.kg-1.min-1). Twenty-four hours after surgery, CLP animals had significantly attenuated HPV compared with Sham animals. In response to hypoxia the change in total pulmonary vascular resistance during hypoxia was 0.008 +/- 0.004 and 0.021 +/- 0.006 mmHg.min-ml-1 in CLP and Sham animals, respectively (P < 0.05). The pulmonary and systemic blood pressure response to phenylephrine was also attenuated in CLP compared with Sham animals. After L-NAME infusion (15 mg/kg), there was a significant augmentation of the HPV response in Sham animals. In contrast, the HPV response in CLP animals was unchanged after L-NAME. The attenuated pressor response to phenylephrine in neither the pulmonary nor the systemic circulation was changed after the administration of L-NAME. These data suggest that in rats, excess NO is not an important mediator of the attenuated vascular reactivity observed in sepsis.
authors.affiliation: A. C. Burton Vascular Biology Laboratory, Victoria Hospital Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Paterson
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: McCormack
mesh_terms: D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012016:Reference Values; D018805:Sepsis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D010656:Phenylephrine; D001120:Arginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester