The effect of nitric oxide generators on ischemia reperfusion injury and histamine release in isolated perfused guinea-pig heart.

Experiments were carried out to provide evidence of the effect of L-arginine (L-Arg), its analogue NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (MeArg) and of some nitrovasodilators (sodium nitroprusside, NaNP; 3-morpholino-sydnonimine, SIN-1) which spontaneously release nitric oxide (NO) on ischemia-reperfusion injury, histamine release and mast cell degranulation, occurring after multiple ligature and release of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery in isolated perfused guinea-pig hearts. The reopening of the LAD coronary artery leads to a release of histamine related to a decrease in microdensitometry of cardiac mast cells and to calcium overload. The perfusion of the heart with NO-donors significantly reduces either the release of histamine, the loss of mast cell metachromasia and the overload of calcium. These effects were potentiated by SOD. The results suggest that the endogenous formation of NO and molecules able to generate NO have a role in the prevention of post-ischemic tissue injury.