Unstimulated release of endothelium derived relaxing factor is independent of mitochondrial ATP generation.

Rabbit aortic strips were used to investigate the effect of mitochondrial inhibitors on basal (unstimulated) endothelium dependent relaxation. Since haemoglobin inhibits and the cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, MB22948, amplifies endothelium dependent relaxation they were used to provide evidence of basal activity of endothelium derived relaxing factor (EDRF). Basal activity was not inhibited by incubation with any of three differently acting inhibitors of mitochondrial ATP generation. The mechanism underlying basal EDRF production may thus differ from that of stimulated EDRF production, which is abolished by these mitochondrial inhibitors.