title: Nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator of the aortic anastomosis in the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus.
abstract: The effects of five neuropeptides (CGRP, SOM, SP, NPY, VIP), L-NAME (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), and adrenaline on the contractile tone of the aortic anastomosis in the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, were investigated. None of the neuropeptides, which had previously been found to be present in the aortic anastomosis, had any direct effect on the tension developed by ring preparations. L-NAME itself significantly increased the basal tone of the vascular ring preparations, suggesting a tonic release of nitric oxide in the preparation. Adrenaline produced concentration-dependent vasoconstrictions that were counteracted by profound reflex vasodilatations that were susceptible to blockade by L-NAME. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of nitric oxide synthase and tyrosine hydroxylase-containing (indicating the presence of a adrenergic innervation) nerve fibres in the adventitia and adventitio-medial border of the aortic anastomosis. These data demonstrate opposing actions of adrenaline and nitric oxide on the vascular smooth muscle in the anastomosis of the C. porosus. The morphology of the anastomosis, with the extremely thick muscular vessel wall, suggests a sphincter-like function for this vessel that could be controlled mainly by adrenergic and nitrergic mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Göteborg University, Göteborg, SE-40530, Sweden.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Axelsson
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Olsson
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gibbins
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holmgren
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Franklin
mesh_terms: D000489:Alligators and Crocodiles / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009479:Neuropeptides; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; D004837:Epinephrine