In Vivo Spin Trapping of Glyceryl Trinitrate–Derived Nitric Oxide in Rabbit Blood Vessels and Organs

Abstract

Since GTN-derived NO formation in myocardial tissue correlates to the GTN-elicited vasodilator response, we conclude that GTN-derived NO detected in vivo correlates with the systemic effects of GTN. Therefore, the higher rate of NO formation detected in veins compared with arteries explains the preferential venodilator activity of GTN. High NO formation in cytochrome P-450-rich organs in vivo and efficient NO formation from GTN by cytochrome P-450 in vitro highlights the importance of this pathway for NO formation from GTN in the intact organism.