Role of L-arginine-derived nitric oxide in cholinergic dilation of gastric arterioles.

The role of L-arginine-derived nitric oxide (NO) in cholinergic vasodilation of resistance vessels was studied in the intact stomach of the rat, utilizing an in vivo microscopy technique. Two L-arginine analogues, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) and nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), were used to block NO synthesis. Cholinergic dilation of gastric submucosal arterioles was induced by topical application of various concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh) (10(-7)-10(-4) M). Intravenous but not topical administration of L-NMMA and L-NAME caused an increase in arterial pressure. Intravenous or topical L-NAME reduces resting arteriolar diameter. These findings support the contention that NO formation modulates basal vascular tone and suggest that NO release may play a significant role in the regulation of the gastric circulation. L-Arginine analogues attenuated the arteriolar dilating effect of ACh but not adenosine or nitroglycerin. Substantial arteriolar responses to ACh remained after systemic or topical treatment with either L-NMMA or L-NAME. These results indicate that the L-arginine-NO pathway accounts only in part for ACh-induced vasodilation in gastric resistance vessels in vivo.