PRESERVATION OF THE VASODILATIVE EFFECT OF ENDOTHELIUM-DERIVED RELAXING FACTOR IN THE HIND-LIMB OF THE RAT

Using an extracorporeal circulatory system of fresh blood, the vasodil ative effect of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) secreted fr om vascular endothelium, stimulated by acetylcholine (ACh), was evalua ted. The bioassay cascade technique was applied to elucidate the relea se of EDRF. Elevated blood pressure of freshly amputated rat hind limb s, created by injection of norepinephrine (NE), decreased by 56% with ACh infusion, suggesting the existence of EDRF in the peripheral vascu lar system of rat hind limbs. The vasodilative effect of EDRF could be preserved for at least 6 hours when stored at room temperature. The e ffect of EDRF decreased markedly following storage for more than 9 hou rs at room temperature and storage for more than 3 hours at 4 degrees C. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.