Evidence for involvement of nitric oxide in the non‐adrenergic non‐cholinergic (NANC) relaxation of human lower oesophageal sphincter muscle strips

Electrical field stimulation of circular muscle strips from human lower oesophageal sphincter reveals a predominant relaxation response. This relaxation is non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC). The nitric oxide synthesis-blocking agent N omega-nitro-L-arginine (10-100 microM) reduces or abolishes this NANC relaxation, suggesting involvement of nitric oxide in the response.