NITROGLYCERIN RELIEVES EMOTIONAL STRESS-INDUCED STOMACH ULCERS IN RATS

It is known that nitroglycerin (GTN) can be converted to form a nitric oxide (NO) molecule which is a highly reactive and unstable free radi cal species. NO is known to have many beneficial effects such as relax ing blood vessels, promoting digestive activity, and regulating blood pressure. The first experiment established an additional effect of NO, that GTN can help prevent emotionally-induced stomach stress ulcers i n rats. In Experiment 2, we sought to estimate the quantity of nitroge n oxides in serum produced by GTN that is administered subcutaneously to rats. The results indicated that rats administered GTN increased si gnificantly the amount of serum NO2 and NO3, relative to values for a control group. Since amounts of NO2 and NO3 reflect amount of NO, the administration of GTN significantly increased amount of NO. An implica tion of this research is that chemicals such as GTN may be used in the rapy with humans for the prevention of some kinds of ulcers. Furthermo re, while NO is commonly recognized as a pollutant, it has a number of beneficial effects on the body, e.g., it may slow the aging process, contribute to therapy for impotency, and facilitate memory processes.