Nitric oxide storage in rats of various genetic strains and its role in the antistressor effect of adaptation to hypoxia

: Adaptation to hypobaric hypoxia induced a gradual increase in the NO production along with a progressive NO storage in vascular wall. Unadapted August rats were more resistant against stress-induced stomach ulceration than the Wistar rats. Following a 6-day adaptation rats of both strains revealed a protective antiulcerogenic effect. A long-term adaptation potentiated the stress damage of the stomach rather than protected against it. A higher basal NO production seems to provide a more efficient antistress defence in the August rats. An intense NO storage may create a relative NO shortage and thus predispose to stress-induced vasoconstriction and ulceration.