Requirement for endothelium‐derived nitric oxide in vasodilatation produced by stimulation of cholinergic nerves in rat hindquarters

Abstract

We aimed to determine whether nitric oxide (NO) and/or the endothelium is involved in cholinergic neurogenic vasodilatation in the rat isolated hindquarters. The abdominal aorta was cannulated for perfusion of the rat hindquarters with Krebs bicarbonate solution containing phenylephrine, to induce basal constrictor tone. In the presence of noradrenergic neurone blockade with guanethidine (200 mg kg−1, i.p.) electrical stimulation of peri‐aortic nerves induced frequency‐dependent decreases in hindquarters perfusion pressure, indicating vasodilatation. Both the endothelium‐dependent vasodilator, acetylcholine (ACh) and the endothelium‐independent vasodilator, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induced..