INCREASED GENERATION OF NITRIC-OXIDE IN TISSUES OF RATS FOLLOWING THEIR ADAPTATION TO SHORT-TERM STRESS (AN EPR STUDY)

Adaptation of rats to short-term immobilization stress increases the a bility of their isolated organs to generate nitric oxide (NO): its spo ntaneous release by the liver, gut, heart, and kidney tissues rises 2- to 4-fold and its carbachol-stimulated release by these tissues rises 4- to 5-fold. It is suggested that such adaptation leads to rapid NO generation in the adapted animal in response to exogenous or endogenou s stimuli and thus increases the efficacy of defense reactions.