A role for nitroxyl (HNO) as an endothelium-derived relaxing and hyperpolarizing factor in resistance arteries.

Background And Purpose: Nitroxyl (HNO) is emerging as an important regulator of vascular tone as it is potentially produced endogenously and dilates conduit and resistance arteries. This study investigates the contribution of endogenous HNO to endothelium-dependent relaxation and hyperpolarization in resistance arteries.

Experimental Approach: Rat and mouse mesenteric arteries were mounted in small vessel myographs for isometric force and smooth muscle membrane potential recording.