Nitric oxide-c GMP pathway is involved in endotoxin-induced contractile dysfunction in rat hearts.

Examines the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the mechanisms by which endotoxemia causes cardiac depression. Infusion of rats with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline; Isolation of hearts and mounting in a Langendorff apparatus; Determination of the left ventricular developed pressure before biochemical analysis of the myocardium; Finding that the myocardial adenosine triphosphate levels were not significantly altered after LPS injection.