Nitric oxide synthases are involved in the modulation of cardiovascular adaptation in hemorrhaged rats.

Aim: Nitric oxide has been implicated in the cardiovascular adaptation to hemorrhagic shock. Our aim was to study the potential role of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) in the cardiovascular response in hemorrhagic hypotension produced experimentally in anesthetized rats.

Methods: Groups of animals (n = 14, per group): (a) normotensive; (b) hypovolemic (20% blood loss); (c) normotensive and pretreatment with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME); (d) hypovolemic and pretreatment with L-NAME.