A potential role for inducible nitric oxide synthase in the cerebral response to acute hemodilution.

Purpose: Acute anemia increases the cerebral expression of hypoxic molecules including neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha). This study assessed the effects of acute hemodilution on inducible NOS (iNOS) and systemic inflammatory cytokines.

Methods: Anesthetized rats (n = 5-7 per group) underwent 50% hemodilution with pentastarch, whole blood exchange or no fluid exchange.