[Nitric oxide in the lymphatic microvessel regulation]

Topical application of sodium nitroprusside on rat mesentery has a marked influence on lymph microvessels function. The drug causes a dilation of majority of lymphangions and decrease of the pacemaker activity of the vessel wall structures and valves. These changes do not lead to lymph stasis, and lymph flow velocity does not reduce. The non-selective inhibitor of NO synthase (N-nitro-L-arginine) intensifies vasomotions of lymph microvessels, modulates phasic contractile activity and increases lymph flow velocity. There is a time dependent dynamic of changes in action of N-nitro-L-arginine. During inhibition of endogenous NO synthesis the responses of lymph microvessels on sodium nitroprusside application are modified: the constriction of majority lymphangions and activation of valve work are observed.