Direct demonstration of NO formation in vivo from organic nitrites and nitrates, and correlation to effects on blood pressure and to in vitro effects.

Previous studies, utilizing nitric oxide synthase inhibitors and nitric oxide application, indicate that nitric oxide has the capacity to modulate contractile responses in pulmonary vessels. In the present study, in vitro effects of organic nitrates/nitrites were compared with their in vivo ability to generate nitric oxide and their effects on blood pressure. Glyceryl trinitrate, ethyl nitrite, isobutyl nitrate, isobutyl nitrite, isoamyl nitrite and butyl nitrite inhibited contractions in response to nerve stimulation in guinea pig pulmonary artery and vas deferens. Glyceryl trinitrate (also known as nitroglycerin) was the most potent and isobutyl nitrate the least potent substance with this action (IC50 4.5 +/- 0.2 x 10(-10) and 1.1 +/- 0.1 x 10(-5) M, respectively). Contractile responses to noradrenaline were inhibited, whereas noradrenaline release was unaffected by organonitrates/nitrites, indicating a post-junctional inhibitory effect. When infused intravenously to anaesthetized rabbits glyceryl trinitrate, ethyl nitrite and isobutyl nitrate generated dose-dependent increments of nitric oxide in exhaled air and dose-dependent decrements in systemic blood pressure. Significant correlations were obtained between in vivo NO generation and effects on blood pressure, as well as between NO generation in vivo and the in vitro activity of the organic nitrites and organic nitrates. In conclusion, organic nitrites and organic nitrates can modulate adrenergic neuroeffector transmission in guinea pig pulmonary artery and vas deferens, and produce detectable concentrations of nitric oxide in exhaled air in vivo, in the rabbit. The observations give direct in vivo evidence that organic nitrites and nitrates generate NO, and strongly support them exerting their action via NO formation.