[The role of nitric oxide in retinal vasomotor regulation]

Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the most important messenger molecules dilating blood vessels in response to neurotransmitters and serving itself as a neurotransmitter in the brain. We explored its role in the retinal vascular regulation using a sensitive and specific NO microsensor and local perivascular microinjections of NO-synthase inhibitor (nitro-L-arginine in the intact eye of anesthetized miniature pigs. Our findings suggest that NO release is involved in the regulation of basal vascular tone in the inner retina. In contrast hypercapnia and hypoxia induce vasodilatation in an NO independent mechanism.