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Nitric oxide and S-nitroso-L-cysteine as endothelium-derived relaxing factors from acetylcholine in cerebral vessels in cats
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Nitric oxide and S-nitroso-L-cysteine as endothelium-derived relaxing factors from acetylcholine in cerebral vessels in cats

R C Kukreja, E P Wei, H A Kontos and J N Bates
Stroke (1970), Vol.24(12), pp.2010-2014
12/1993
DOI: 10.1161/01.STR.24.12.2010
PMID: 8248984
url
https://doi.org/10.1161/01.STR.24.12.2010View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Background and purpose: The predominant view is that the endothelium-derived relaxing factor generated by acetylcholine from blood vessels is nitric oxide. However, there is evidence suggesting that certain nitric oxide-containing compounds such as nitrosothiols resemble the endothelium-derived relaxing factor generated by acetylcholine more closely than does nitric oxide itself. Accordingly, we compared the effects of nitric oxide and S-nitroso-L-cysteine on cerebral arteriolar caliber in relation to the associated increments in nitrite concentration in the effluent. Methods: Acetylcholine, nitric oxide, and S-nitroso-L-cysteine were administered by continuous superfusion in oxygen-free solution through the space under a cranial window in anesthetized cats. Nitrite concentration was measured in the effluent. The degree of vasodilation induced was evaluated in relation to the increment in nitrite concentration. Results: All agents induced dose-dependent vasodilation and dose-dependent increments in nitrite concentration in the effluent. For any given degree of vasodilation, the increments in nitrite concentration were equivalent during acetylcholine or S-nitroso-L-cysteine infusion, whereas the nitrite concentrations were 10 times higher during nitric oxide infusion. After administration of nitroarginine, a competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis from arginine, there was depression in the vasodilation as well as the increment in nitrite concentration induced by acetylcholine. Conclusions: S-Nitroso-L-cysteine resembles endothelium-derived relaxing factor from acetylcholine more closely than does nitric oxide.

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