Roles of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, oxidative stress, and propofol in N-methyl-d-aspartate-induced dilatation of cerebral arterioles

NMDA dilates cerebral parenchymal arterioles possibly via neuronal NOS activation, whereas it produces superoxide via NADPH oxidase. In these arterioles, propofol reduces both the dilatation and superoxide production in response to NMDA.