Effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on duodenal alkaline secretion in anesthetized rats

We examined the effects of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, on duodenal HCO3- secretion in anesthetized rats. L-NAME (1-5 mg/kg i.v.), given as a single injection, increased HCO3- secretion in a dose-dependent manner. This effect of L-NAME was mimicked by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (50 mg/kg i.v.) and was significantly antagonized by the simultaneous administration of L-arginine (200 mg/kg i.v.) but not D-arginine. The increased HCO3- response to L-NAME was also significantly reduced in vagotomized animals. These findings suggest that the inhibition of NO biosynthesis leads to an increase of duodenal HCO3- secretion, partly mediated by the vagus nerves.