Inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity does not alter vasopressin secretion in septic rats.

Background/purpose: During the early phase of sepsis, hypotension is accompanied by increase of plasma vasopressin hormone (AVP) levels, which decline during the late phase. This hypotension is due in part to increase of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme. Neuronal isoform of this enzyme (nNOS) is present in vasopressinergics neurons of hypothalamus, but its role in vasopressin secretion during sepsis is unknown.

Leukotriene synthesis inhibitor decreases vasopressin release in the early phase of sepsis.

The aim was to analyze the effect of leukotriene synthesis inhibitor administered intraperitoneally in vasopressin release during sepsis. Male Wistar rats received injections of MK-886 (1.0, 2.