Intra-arterial infusion of nitric oxide (NO) - first animal trial.
OBJECTIVE
Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule that acts in many tissues to regulate a diverse range of physiological processes. NO has been implicated in a number of cardiovascular diseases. Reduced basal NO synthesis or function may lead to: vasoconstriction, elevated blood pressure and thrombus formation. By contrast, overproduction of NO results in vasodilatation, hypotension, vascular leakage, and disruption of cell metabolism. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of NO gas directly infused into the arteries.


METHODS
The study was performed on 28 rabbits and 10 pigs. We developed a device that enables quantitatively controlled infusion of NO gas, directly into the arteries.


RESULTS
We found that administration of NO gas via arteries caused widening of the blood vessels as well as increasing blood flow in the extremity. It emerges that. These effects persist up to 2-3 h after the NO infusion ceased. Although the NO breaks down when diffused in blood, its influence commences rapidly and continues for a relatively long time.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that, administration of NO into blood vessels causes a long lasting vasodilatation and enhanced blood flow. Despite the fact that NO is broken down rapidly.
Yoffe
Boris
B
Department of General and Vascular Surgery, The Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, affiliated to the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.
Levy
Brian
B
Ben-Alon
Dora
D
Baruchin
Ohad
O
Baruchin
Abraham
A
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects
D009569:Nitric Oxide