Role of Nitric Oxide in Brain Ischemia^a

Abstract

In order to study the role of nitric oxide (NO) in rat brain ischemia, an in vivo spin trapping technique was applied. The results showed that NO was produced not only during ischemia but also during reperfusion. The role of NO production during ischemia may be to increase cerebral blood flow. The NO production during reperfusion seems to be related to tissue damage.