Effects of Rut-bpy (Cis-[Ru(bpy)2(SO3)(NO)]PF 6), a novel nitric oxide donor, in L-NAME-induced hypertension in rats

purpose: to evaluate the effect of rut-bpy (cis-[ru(bpy)2(so3)(no)]pf 6), a novel nitric oxide donor in nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-name)-induced hypertensive rats. methods: twenty-four male wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=6), named according to the treatment applied (g1-saline, g2-rut-bpy, g3-l-name and g4-l-name+rut-bpy). l-name (30 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 30 minutes before the administration of rut-bpy (100 mg/kg). mean abdominal aorta arterial blood pressure (map) was continuously monitored. results: mean arterial blood pressure (map) in g3 rats rose progressively, reaching 147±16 mmhg compared with 100±19 mm hg in g1 rats (p<0.05). in g4 rats, treated with l-name+rut-bpy, map reached 149+11 mm hg while in g2 rats, treated with rut-bpy, map values were 106±11 mm hg. in g1 rats these values decreased progressively reaching 87+14 mm hg after 30 minutes. an important finding was the maintenance of the map throughout the experiment in g2 rats. conclusion: rut-bpy does not decrease the map in l-name induced hypertensive rats. however, when it is used in anesthetized hypotensive rats a stable blood pressure is obtained.