Leptin Enhances Nitric Oxide Production and Decreases Blood Flow in Rat Skeletal Muscle

Objective: There are a few studies related to nitric oxide (NO) and leptin interaction in the regulation of physiological events in skeletal muscle. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the interaction of leptin and NO in response to blood flow and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) distribution on rat skeletal muscle. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four adult-male Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups: control (C), Leptin (LP) (50 [micro]g/kg), L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (LN) (a non-specific nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, 10 mg/kg,) and L-NAME+Leptin (LN+LP) administrated groups. Drugs were administered via the right jugular vein. Hemodynamic parameters: mean arterial pressure, heart rate and blood flow were recorded during the experiment and at the end blood samples for biochemical analyses of leptin and nitrite/nitrate levels and gastrocnemius muscle tissues from the right hindlimb for NOS distribution were taken. Results: Leptin infusion after L-NAME administration significantly decreased heart rate and blood flow (p