SNP-induced relaxation in blood vessels of Nx, Hx, Su, and Su/Hx rats. Endothelium-denuded pulmonary artery (A), aortic (B), and mesenteric artery rings (C) from Nx, Hx, Su, and Su/Hx rats were precontracted with submaximal concentration of Phe, then stimulated with SNP (10−9–10−5 M), and the percentage of relaxation of Phe contraction was measured. Data represent means ± S.E.M., n = 7–11. *P < 0.05 versus Nx. †P < 0.05 versus Hx. #P < 0.05 versus Su.