Cardiovascular effects of nitric oxide in the rostral ventrolateral medulla of rats

To investigate the cardiovascular role of nitric oxide (NO) in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), NOC 18, an NO donor, was microinjected into the RVLM of rats. NOC 18 significantly decreased mean arterial pressure (MAP). Pre-treatment with an NO trapper, carboxy-PTIO, abolished the NOC 18-induced decrease in MAP. Microinjection of L-NAME, an NO synthase inhibitor, increased MAP. L-Arginine reduced MAP and inhibited the presser response induced by L-NAME. Results suggest that NO acts on the RVLM neurons and plays an important role in cardiovascular regulation.