Nitric oxide is a mediator of the adenosine-induced vasodilatation of the hepatic artery in CCl4-cirrhotic rats

Background and aim: In normal livers, hepatic arterial vasodilatation produced by adenosine is mediated by the adenosine receptor A2a and this response is nitric oxide independent. It has been shown that muscle hypoxia leads to an increase in tissue adenosine and vasodilatation. This effect is modulated by the A1 receptor and mediated by nitric oxide. Additionally, we have previously reported that hepatic arterial vasodilatation in cirrhosis is mediated by nitric oxide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of adenosine in hepatic arterial vasodilatation in cirrhosis and its relationship to nitric oxide…