Abstract
N(omega)-Propyl-L-arginine (NPA) is reported to be a highly selective inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). This in vivo study observed its role in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat skeletal muscle. Our results showed that NPA infusion significantly increased vessel diameters and blood flow in reperfused cremaster muscle, and slightly increased contractile function in reperfused extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. In addition, NPA treatment slightly increased I/R-mediated downregulation of nNOS and eNOS mRNA and protein levels. Although NPA showed a beneficial role in I/R injury, our in vivo data do not support NPA as a selective nNOS inhibitor. Also, our data do not provide any insight into the mechanism of NPA. Thus, the in vivo mechanism of action of NPA needs to be further identified, and the role of nNOS in skeletal muscle I/R still remains to be determined.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Arginine / administration & dosage
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Arginine / analogs & derivatives*
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Arginine / pharmacology
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Arginine / therapeutic use*
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Blood Pressure / drug effects
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Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
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Enzyme Induction / drug effects
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Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
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Female
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Infusions, Intravenous
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Injections, Intra-Arterial
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Ischemia / drug therapy
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Ischemia / metabolism
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Ischemia / pathology
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Male
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Microcirculation / drug effects
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Muscle Contraction / drug effects
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Muscle, Skeletal / blood supply
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Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects*
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Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / biosynthesis
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
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Nitric Oxide Synthase / biosynthesis
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Nitric Oxide Synthase / genetics
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Reperfusion Injury / drug therapy*
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Reperfusion Injury / prevention & control
Substances
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Enzyme Inhibitors
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N(omega)-propylarginine
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Arginine
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Nitric Oxide Synthase
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
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Nos1 protein, rat
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Nos3 protein, rat