ABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate the different vasoactive effects of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET) on splanchnic arterial and venous vessels in cirrhotic rats. METHODS: Cirrhosis was induced in Wistar rats by subcutaneously administration of carbon tetrachloride. Maximal relaxation (Rmax) and contraction (Cmax) to NO and ET were determined in vitro using isolated vascular strips prepared from portal vein (PV) and mesenteric artery (MA) of both cirrhotic and normal rats, and EC50 was calculated for effects of NO and ET, respectively. RESULTS: Rmax of PV and MA to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (releasing NO) were significantly higher in cirrhotic rats (n=8) than those in normal rats (n=7), and EC50 of NO were dramatically lower in cirrhotic rats than those in control (P