Mechanism of adaptation of the vascular system to chronic changes in nitric oxide level in the organism.

We studied the possibility of directed modulation of the efficiency of NO storage in rats due to adaptation to the chronic changes in plasma NO level. The efficiency of NO storage increased during long-term maintenance of high plasma level of NO and decreased in NO-deficient states. The compensatory changes in NO storage capacity of vessels depending on its organism content represent a new mechanism of adaptation of the cardiovascular system to chronic excess or deficit of NO, while directed modulation of this process can be important for the protection of the organism against both surplus or shortage of NO.