Lipid metabolism in rats is modified by nitric oxide availability through a Ca++-dependent mechanism.

We studied lipid metabolism and the antioxidant defense system in plasma and liver of rats fed diets supplemented with L(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), isosorbide dinitrate (DIS), L-arginine (Arg), or the associations of these drugs. Liver hydroperoxide and thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substance (TBARS) levels were decreased by Arg and increased by L-NAME or DIS treatments. Oxidized glutathione and conjugated dienes were increased by DIS.