Rabbit brain contains an endogenous inhibitor of endothelium-dependent relaxation.

1. Supernatants prepared from the rabbit brain, lung and liver caused an endothelium-dependent and volume-related contraction of the phenylephrine-pretreated rabbit aorta and inhibited relaxation due to acetylcholine (ACh). 2. Perfusion in situ of the rabbit lung or liver with Krebs solution substantially reduced or removed the endothelium-dependent inhibitor. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed the presence of substantial amounts of haemoglobin (1.8-2.1 microM) in these organ supernatants. 3. Supernatants prepared from the Krebs-perfused rabbit brain retained the ability to contract the phenylephrine-pretreated rabbit aorta and to inhibit relaxation due to ACh and substance P (SP). Rabbit brain supernatant did not reduce the vasodilator effect of sodium nitroprusside (NP) or nitric oxide (NO). 4. Rabbit brain supernatant contained low (less than 0.35 microM) concentrations of haemoglobin. 5. The inhibitory effect of rabbit brain supernatant was reversed by L-arginine (500 microM) but not D-arginine (500 microM). 6. The inhibitor of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation present in rabbit brain was not removed by dialysis (24 h, 4 degrees C) but was partially precipitated by ammonium sulphate (30% w/v). 7. Rabbit brain contains an endogenous inhibitor of vascular NO biosynthesis. The identity of this inhibitor is not known although it seems likely to be a large peptide or protein.