The role of nitric oxide in the gastric acid secretion induced by ischemia-reperfusion in the pylorus-ligated rat

In a rat model of the ischemia-reperfusion with pylorus ligation, gastric ulcer was formed, although gastric acid secretion was reduced. When the polymorphonuclear leukocytes were inactivated in advance, gastric ulcer was not formed, but acid secretion was increased, indicating that gastric acid is not a cause of the ulcer formation in this model. The mechanism of gastric acid suppression accompanied by ischemia-reperfusion was examined in relation to the role of oxygen-free radicals in this rat model. Prior administration of superoxide dismutase did not modulate acid secretion, but N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) increased acid secretion. The action of L-NAME was antagonized specifically by L-arginine, but not by D-arginine. S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine did not inhibit basal acid secretion but antagonized the action of L-NAME. Aminoguanidine increased significantly the gastric acid output that was suppressed by ischemia-reperfusion. When polymorphonuclear leukocytes were inactivated by treatment with their antibody, the gastric acid output recovered to the level in the pylorus-ligated rat without ischemia-reperfusion. These results suggested that nitric oxide (NO) produced by the infiltrated polymorphonuclear leukocytes plays an important role in the suppression of acid secretion induced by ischemia-reperfusion. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.