Nitric oxide in mesenteric vascular reactivity: a comparison between rats with normotension and hypertension

1. Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in various physiological functions. The continuous formation of endogenous NO from endothelial cells maintains a vasodilator tone and regulates blood flow and pressure. However, the role of NO in hypertension remains controversial. 2. In the present study, we used an in situ mesenteric perfusion system. The primary objectives of the study were to examine whether or not mesenteric vasoreactivity is changed by alterations in perfusion pressure and to assess the role of NO in changes of vascular reactivity in hypertension. 3. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR; 12-15 weeks of age) and age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as the experimental and control groups, respectively. Endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation was detected by acetylcholine (ACh) or NO donors (sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP)). Dose-dependent reactivity to these agents (10(-6) to 10(-4) mol/L) was detected by bolus intra-arterial injections of 10 microL of the test agents at 5 min intervals. Dose-dependent responses to vasoconstrictor drugs, such as noradrenaline (NA) and phenylephrine (PE; 10(-6) to 10(-4) mol/L) were also observed. The NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10 mg/kg) was given to examine the contribution of NO to the vasoreactivity of the mesenteric bed. 4. Acetylcholine, SNP and SNAP produced dose-dependent vasodilation in both WKY rats and SHR. The magnitude of the vasodilation was significantly greater in SHR than in WKY rats. It was also greater at high than low flow rates in SHR. The increase in mesenteric perfusion pressure following L-NAME was significantly higher in SHR than in WKY rats. However, there were no differences in responses to L-NAME between low and high flow rates in SHR. Endothelium-independent vasoconstriction (NA and PE) was dose dependent in both SHR and WKY rats. The magnitude of the endothelium-independent vasoconstriction was greater in SHR than in WKY rats. 5. The results suggest that endothelium-dependent or -independent mesenteric vasoconstriction and vasodilation is enhanced in SHR compared with WKY rats, supporting the concept of enhancement of NO function in the hypertensive state. Flow-induced shear stress is also a key factor in the regulation of peripheral resistance depending on NO formation in hypertension.