Nitric oxide-mediated neurogenic relaxation in monkey mesenteric veins

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if neurally induced vasodilatation is mediated by nitric oxide (NO) in monkey mesenteric veins. Helical strips of the monkey mesenteric vein were exposed to the bathing media for isometric tension recording, and perivascular nerves were stimulated by nicotine. Nicotine produced a contraction, which was potentiated by treatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine, a NO synthase inhibitor, the effect being reversed by L-arginine. The nicotine-induced contraction was reversed to a relaxation by prazosin. The relaxation was abolished by the NO synthase inhibitor, and it was restored by L-arginine. D-Enantiomers were without effect. The response was not influenced by timolol and indomethacin, but was abolished by hexamethonium and oxyhemoglobin. There were perivascular nerve fibers containing NO synthase immunoreactivity in the monkey vein. Neurally induced venous relaxations appear to be mediated by NO from perivascular nerves, as seen in dog and monkey mesenteric arteries. It is concluded that monkey mesenteric veins are innervated by nitroxidergic and adrenergic nerves, which may balance the vascular tone.