ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to measure nitric oxide (NO) levels in experimental primary adrenal insufficiency. After 20 rabbits were anesthetized, a venous blood sample was taken for NO determination and the basal systolic blood pressure (SBP) was recorded (mean 70.5 ± 10.5 mmHg). Then the subjects were divided into two groups each containing 10 rabbits. in the study group, a laparotomy was performed, and both of the adrenal glands were removed. After SBP fell to 20.3 ± 10.6 mmHg about one hour later, a second blood sample was taken and subsequent blood samples continued to be taken for NO determination at every 5 minutes during a 30-minute time period. in the sham control group, after laparotomy was performed, a second venous blood sample was taken about one hour later, and subsequent blood samples continued to be taken for NO determination at every 5 minutes during a 30-minute time period. in the sham control group, there was no difference between the mean plasma NO levels obtained before and one hour after laparotomy, and the values obtained at every 5 minutes were not different from each other. in the study group, the mean plasma NO levels obtained after SBP fell were significantly higher than those obtained before bilateral adrenalectomy (42.7± 11.3 nmol/mL and 23.0± 4.05 nmol/mL, respectively). (p< 0.01). The mean plasma NO levels continued to increase during this 30-minute time period. NO levels may increase due to the absence of inhibition of NO synthase by glucocorticoids in acute primary adrenal insufficiency.
The objective of this study was to measure nitric oxide (NO) levels in experimental primary adrenal insufficiency. After 20 rabbits were anesthetized, a venous blood sample was taken for NO determination and the basal systolic blood pressure (SBP) was recorded (mean 70.5 ± 10.5 mmHg). Then the subjects were divided into two groups each containing 10 rabbits. in the study group, a laparotomy was performed, and both of the adrenal glands were removed. After SBP fell to 20.3 ± 10.6 mmHg about one hour later, a second blood sample was taken and subsequent blood samples continued to be taken for NO determination at every 5 minutes during a 30-minute time period. in the sham control group, after laparotomy was performed, a second venous blood sample was taken about one hour later, and subsequent blood samples continued to be taken for NO determination at every 5 minutes during a 30-minute time period. in the sham control group, there was no difference between the mean plasma NO levels obtained before and one hour after laparotomy, and the values obtained at every 5 minutes were not different from each other. in the study group, the mean plasma NO levels obtained after SBP fell were significantly higher than those obtained before bilateral adrenalectomy (42.7± 11.3 nmol/mL and 23.0± 4.05 nmol/mL, respectively). (p< 0.01). The mean plasma NO levels continued to increase during this 30-minute time period. NO levels may increase due to the absence of inhibition of NO synthase by glucocorticoids in acute primary adrenal insufficiency.