Sodium Nitroprusside Inhibits Lactate Formation in Rat Atria: Is Cyclic GMP Involved?

Abstract
Sodium nitroprusside (NP) decreased the tissue lactate level under conditions of high (HiOxSa) and low (hypoxia) O2 saturation in spontaneously beating rat atria. Nitroprusside also increased the level of cGMP in a dose-dependent manner in both states. The time course and dose dependence of these effects suggest that cGMP might be responsible for the decreased tissue level of lactate demonstrated. cGMP might inhibit lactate production in HiOxSa and antagonize the hypoxia-induced acceleration of anaerobic metabolism. A state of low-rate glycolysis apparently results from this inhibitory effect of cGMP. The possible role of cGMP as a feedback regulator of the redox state is discussed.

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