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Decreased nitric oxide production following extremity ischemia and reperfusion
J Blebea1, B Bacik, G Strothman
1Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Ohio 45267-0558, USA.
Background:
Nitric oxide (NO), the endogenous vasodilator, is an important regulator of vascular tone. We investigated NO production following lower extremity ischemia.
Methods:
Rabbits underwent 6 hours of bilateral leg ischemia followed by unrestricted reperfusion. Physiologic parameters were continuously measured and blood was assayed for NO2 and NO3.
Results:
Acute ischemia of the lower extremities produced an immediate increase in mean arterial blood pressure while later reperfusion induced a significant decrease (P < 0.0005). There was a fall in femoral blood flow during reperfusion. NO2/ NO3 concentrations decreased significantly to 89% of baseline values after ischemia and 77% after 1 hour of reperfusion (P < 0.005). A significantly higher mortality was found in association with decreased NO2/NO3 concentrations.
Conclusions:
Nitric oxide appears to be a regulator of regional blood flow during reperfusion following extremity ischemia. Decreased NO production may contribute to impaired regional blood flow and mortality.