Role of nitric oxide in adrenal catecholamine secretion in anesthetized dogs.

We examined the role of nitric oxide (NO) in adrenal catecholamine secretion in response to splanchnic nerve stimulation (SNS) and exogenous acetylcholine (ACh) in anesthetized dogs. The NO synthase inhibitor Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), NO donor 3-(2-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-nitrosohydrazino)-N-methyl-1-propanamin e (NOC 7), and ACh were administered intra-arterially into the adrenal gland. The increases in catecholamine output induced by ACh (0.75-3 microgram) were enhanced by L-NAME (0.1-1 mg/min) and inhibited by NOC 7 (0.2-2 microgram/min). Inhibition by NOC 7 (2 microgram/min) was observed during treatment with L-NAME (1 mg/min). The increases in catecholamine output induced by SNS (1-2 Hz) were inhibited by L-NAME and by NOC 7. No inhibitory effect of NOC 7 was observed during treatment with L-NAME. These results suggest that NO may play an inhibitory role in the regulation of adrenal catecholamine secretion in response to exogenous ACh.