NITRIC-OXIDE IN THE PERIENDOTHELIAL AREA OF FEMORAL VEIN OF THE DOG ASSESSED IN-VIVO BY A PORPHYRINIC SENSOR

Nitric oxide concentration in the periendothelial area of the femoral vein in anaesthetized dogs was measured directly with a catheter- prot ected porphyrinic sensor. A 2- to 4-fold increase occurred in the basa l NO concentration of 90+/-12 nM after acetylcholine injection (1-1.5 mu g/kg). A linear correlation was found between femoral artery blood flow and NO concentration in the periendothelial area of the femoral v ein. Noradrenaline decreased NO levels below the detection limit of th e porphyrinic sensor (10 nM).