L-NAME induces direct arteriolar leukocyte adhesion, which is mainly mediated by angiotensin-II.

Objective: Acute inhibition (1 h) of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) with L-NAME causes leukocyte recruitment in the rat mesenteric postcapillary venules that is angiotensin-II (Ang-II) dependent. Since 4-h exposure to Ang-II provokes arteriolar leukocyte adhesion, this study was designed to investigate whether subacute (4-h) NOS inhibition also causes this effect.

Methods: Rats were intraperitoneally injected with saline, L-NAME, or 1H-[1,2,4]-oxidazolol-[4,3-a]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ). Leukocyte accumulation in the mesenteric microcirculation was examined 4 h later via intravital microscopy. Some groups were pretreated with losartan, an AT(1) Ang-II receptor antagonist.

Results: At 4-h, L-NAME caused a significant increase in arteriolar leukocyte adhesion and leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in postcapillary venules. Mononuclear cells were the predominant leukocytes attached to the arteriolar endothelium. Administration of losartan inhibited L-NAME-induced arteriolar leukocyte adhesion by 90%. L-NAME provoked increased expression of P-selectin, E-selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 in arterial endothelium, which was attenuated by losartan pretreatment. Inhibition of guanylyl cyclase with ODQ mimicked the effects exerted by L-NAME and losartan also reduced these effects.

Conclusions: NOS inhibition for 4-h results in the attachment of leukocytes to the arterial endothelium, a critical event in disease states such as hypertension and atherosclerosis, which could be prevented by the administration of AT(1)Ang-II receptor antagonists.