Abstract

To investigate whether nitric oxide (NO) in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) mediated an influence on the extrahepatic biliary system, we studied the effects of microinjection of NO-producing drugs into DMV on the motilities of the gallbladder (GB) and the sphincter of Oddi (SO) in anesthetized rabbits. Microinjection of the NO precursor l-arginine into the rostral DMV produced an increase in the GB and SO motilities, which can be counteracted by both N G-nitro- l-arginine-methyl ( l-NAME), an inhibitor of NOS, and reduced hemoglobin (rHb), a scavenger of NO, and were eliminated by bilateral cervical vagotomy. On the other hand, the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was able to mimic the excitatory effect of l-arginine. This effect can be antagonized by rHb, but not by l-NAME, for SNP supplied exogenous NO without activating NOS. These results indicate that NO in the DMV mediates an excitatory effect on the extrahepatic biliary system.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.