Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2004
Publication Title
American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) alters dynamic cerebral autoregulation in humans. Beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) velocity (transcranial Doppler) were measured in eight healthy subjects in the supine position and during 60° head-up tilt (HUT). NOS was inhibited by intravenous N G-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) infusion. Dynamic cerebral autoregulation was quantified by transfer function analysis of beat-to-beat changes in BP and CBF velocity. Pressor effects of L-NMMA on cerebral hemodynamics were compared with those of phenylephrine infusion. In the supine position, L-NMMA increased mean BP from 83 ± 3 to 94 ± 3 mmHg (P < 0.01). However, CBF velocity remained unchanged. Consequently, cerebrovascular resistance index (CVRI) increased by 15% (P < 0.05). BP and CBF velocity variability and transfer function gain at the low frequencies of 0.07-0.20 Hz did not change with L-NMMA infusion. Similar changes in mean BP, CBF velocity, and CVRI were observed after phenylephrine infusion, suggesting that increase in CVRI after L-NMMA was mediated myogenically by increase in arterial pressure rather than a direct effect of cerebrovascular NOS inhibition. During baseline tilt without L-NMMA, steady-state BP increased and CBF velocity decreased. BP and CBF velocity variability at low frequencies increased in parallel by 277% and 217%, respectively (P < 0.05). However, transfer function gain remained unchanged. During tilt with L-NMMA, changes in steady-state hemodynamics and BP and CBF velocity variability as well as transfer gain and phase were similar to those without L-NMMA. These data suggest that inhibition of tonic production of NO does not appear to alter dynamic cerebral autoregulation in humans.
Keywords
Cerebral blood flow, Head-up tilt, Transcranial Doppler
Volume
286
Issue
3 55-3
DOI
10.1152/ajpheart.00373.2003
ISSN
03636135
Rights
© 2004 the American Physiological Society
Recommended Citation
Zhang, Rong; Wilson, Thad E.; Witkowski, Sarah; Cui, Jian; Crandall, Craig G.; and Levine, Benjamin D., "Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Synthase Does Not Alter Dynamic Cerebral Autoregulation in Humans" (2004). Exercise and Sport Studies: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/ess_facpubs/33
Comments
Archived as published.