Direct measurement of nitric oxide in human beings.
Nitric oxide is a short-lived radical involved in various biological processes. We have used an electrochemical microsensor to detect nitric oxide signals in blood vessels of healthy volunteers. The sensor was inserted into a hand vein, and the vessel was stimulated with acetylcholine or bradykinin. Dose-dependent signals were detected and were attenuated by an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. The results provide further evidence that endothelium-derived relaxing factor is nitric oxide and demonstrate a method for monitoring the L-arginine/nitric-oxide pathway in human beings.
Vallance
P
P
Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
Patton
S
S
Bhagat
K
K
MacAllister
R
R
Radomski
M
M
Moncada
S
S
Malinski
T
T
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D001920:Bradykinin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014680:Veins / Q000187:drug effects; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine
D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine; D000109:Acetylcholine; D001920:Bradykinin