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Inhibition of nerve stimulation‐induced vasodilatation in corpora cavernosa of the pithed rat by blockade of nitric oxide synthase
Author(s) -
Finberg John P.M.,
Levy Shulamit,
Vardi Yoram
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1993.tb13502.x
Subject(s) - blockade , nitric oxide synthase , stimulation , vasodilation , nitric oxide , pharmacology , neuronal nitric oxide synthase , chemistry , nerve stimulation , omega n methylarginine , nitroarginine , medicine , endocrinology , receptor
1 The effect of inhibition of nitric oxide synthase by N G ‐nitro‐ l ‐arginine methyl ester ( l ‐NAME) on nerve stimulation‐induced vasodilatation in corpora cavernosa was studied in the pithed rat. Corporal vasodilatation was estimated by the increase in ratio (corpora cavernosal pressure/systemic blood pressure; CP/BP) following electrical stimulation of the sacral part of the spinal cord. 2 l ‐NAME (2, 5, 10 and 25 mg kg −1 ) caused an increase in BP and a dose‐dependent inhibition of the rise in the CP/BP ratio following stimulation. 3 The inhibitory effect of l ‐NAME (25 mg kg −1 ) on the corporal response to spinal cord stimulation, as well as the pressor response, was partially prevented by prior administration of l ‐ but not d ‐arginine (400 mg kg −1 , i.v.). 4 l ‐NAME (20 mg kg −1 , i.v.) did not inhibit the rise in corporal pressure resulting from direct intracavernosal administration of papaverine (400 μg over 2 min). However, this response was inhibited by 5‐hydroxytryptamine (20 μg kg −1 , i.v.). 5 The results are indicative of a role of nitric oxide (NO) in the corporal vasodilator response to erectile stimulation.