The role of nitric oxide in vascular permeability after a thermal injury.

The kinetics and role of nitric oxide (NO) on vascular permeability were studied using an ear thermal injury model. Vascular permeability was suppressed for 3 hours after a thermal injury by the preventive administration of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors. The NO content in the injured region was significantly increased compared with the intact region. The plasma NO content was significantly increased in a biphasic pattern at 1 and 6 hours postinjury. NOS inhibitors administered as therapeutic treatment suppressed vascular permeability 1 and 6 hours postburn. Thus, NOS inhibitors may be effective in burn treatment.