Nociceptin/orphanin FQ in inflammation and sepsis A Serrano-Gomez, J.P. Thompson, D.G. Lambert  British Journal of Anaesthesia  Volume 106, Issue 1, Pages 6-12 (January 2011) DOI: 10.1093/bja/aeq337 Copyright © 2011 The Author(s) Terms and Conditions

Fig 1 Suggested peripherally mediated mechanisms of action of N/OFQ in the cardiovascular system that could contribute to cardiovascular depression during inflammation and sepsis. PNS, parasympathetic nervous system; EFS, electrical field stimulation; *In rat, mesenteric arteries44 and anococcygeal smooth muscle.45 Pre-contracted arteries with norepinephrine were not antagonized by N/OFQ. **In anaesthetized guinea pigs.42 §Endothelial cells were exposed to N/OFQ and showed some functionality by activating protein kinases.46 §§Pre-constricted with a thromboxane A2 agonist.47 48 N/OFQ caused a dose-dependent increase in vessel diameter, which was not affected by removal of the endothelium, exposure to nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, atropine, or phentolamine. §§§A response that was not altered by exposure to nitric oxide synthase inhibitor.48 ¤Brookes and colleagues.14 −N/OFQ i.v. 10, 30, and 100 nmol kg−1, caused transient bradycardia and hypotension in anaesthetized rats. Post-bilateral vagotomy, the animals had less bradycardia to N/OFQ, but the hypotensive response did not change significantly.41 British Journal of Anaesthesia 2011 106, 6-12DOI: (10.1093/bja/aeq337) Copyright © 2011 The Author(s) Terms and Conditions