[Modulation of the intensity of the non-quantal transmitter release by nitric oxide (NO) at the neuromuscular...

In the rat diaphragm muscle, nitric oxide (NO)--sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), as well as substrate for the NO synthesis L-arginine, decrease the level of hyperpolarization of the muscle fibre membrane after acetylcholine receptor blockade by the d-TC and irreversible acetylcholinesterase inhibition by armin (H-effect). Contrary to that, disruption of the NO synthesis in the muscle fibres by the NO-synthase inhibitor NG-nitrol-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) results in enhancement of the H-effect both in vitro and in vivo. Inactivated SNP and inactive forms of arginine and NAME did not affect the H-effect magnitude. Haemoglobin, effectively binding the NO molecules, abolishes the suppressing effects of the SNP, SNAP and L-arginine upon the H-effect. The findings suggest that the NO could be acting as a modulator of nonquantal transmitter release at the mammalian neuromuscular junction.