Relationship between relaxation and cyclic GMP formation caused by nicorandil in canine mesenteric artery

In the isolated canine mesenteric artery relaxation caused by nicorandil [N-(2-hydroxyethyl)nicotinamide nitrate ester; SG-75] in the presence of noradrenaline was accompanied by a concomitant elevation of cGMP level, whilst the cAMP level was not changed by the drug. The relaxation and cGMP level after the administration of nicorandil showed a good correlation. In this respect nicorandil is very similar to nitrogen oxide-containing vasodilators.