Document Detail


N omega-nitro-L-arginine, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, increases blood pressure in rats and reverses the pregnancy-induced refractoriness to vasopressor agents.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  1595813     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: With N omega-nitro-L-arginine, a potent inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, we tested the hypothesis that nitric oxide plays a functional role in the blunted pressor responsiveness seen during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: A group of six pregnant rats were instrumented on the fourteenth day of gestation and studied on days 19 and 20, as well as 7 days post partum. Another group of six virgin rats were similarly prepared and used 5 days after surgery. Blood pressure and heart rate were monitored in conscious freely moving animals before and during the administration of drugs or placebo. Results were analyzed, by one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance, with Dunnett's t test, or by paired t test where applicable. RESULTS: Basal mean arterial pressure and heart rate were 90.8 +/- 3.0 mm Hg and 330 +/- 6 beats/min in pregnant animals and 107.1 +/- 3.2 mm Hg and 315 +/- 7 beats/min in nonpregnant animals. Pressor responses to angiotensin II, vasopressin, and norepinephrine were attenuated in gravid animals. Infusion of N omega-nitro-L-arginine significantly and in a dose-dependent manner increased mean arterial pressure and reduced heart rate. These effects could be completely reversed by L-arginine administration. Changes in mean arterial pressure were higher during pregnancy as compared with postpartum values. N omega-nitro-L-arginine infusion potentiated pressor responses to all three vasopressors, resulting in dose-response curves that were significantly shifted to the left, making them virtually identical in pregnant and postpartum rats. CONCLUSION: Our data support the emerging view that nitric oxide plays a key role in the regulation of blood pressure during pregnancy.
Authors:
M Molnár; F Hertelendy
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  American journal of obstetrics and gynecology     Volume:  166     ISSN:  0002-9378     ISO Abbreviation:  Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.     Publication Date:  1992 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1992-06-26     Completed Date:  1992-06-26     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0370476     Medline TA:  Am J Obstet Gynecol     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1560-7     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Louis University School of Medicine, MO 63110-0250.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Angiotensin II / pharmacology
Animals
Arginine / analogs & derivatives*,  pharmacology
Blood Pressure / drug effects*
Drug Synergism
Female
Heart Rate / drug effects
Nitric Oxide / antagonists & inhibitors*
Nitroarginine
Norepinephrine / pharmacology
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Animal / physiology*
Rats
Rats, Inbred Strains
Vasoconstrictor Agents / pharmacology*
Vasopressins / pharmacology
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Vasoconstrictor Agents; 10102-43-9/Nitric Oxide; 11000-17-2/Vasopressins; 11128-99-7/Angiotensin II; 2149-70-4/Nitroarginine; 51-41-2/Norepinephrine; 74-79-3/Arginine

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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