The free radical nitric oxide (NO.) is synthesized from the guanidino group of L-arginine by a family of enzymes termed NO. synthase (NOS). In the earlier phases of shock, activation of the endothelial, constitutive NOS (ecNOS) occurs, which, in the case of endotoxic shock, is triggered by endotoxin-induced, acute release of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and also other potential mediators. This early overproduction of NO. results in reduced contractile responsiveness to norepinephrine and contributes to the acute decrease in blood pressure afforded by endotoxin. In the delayed phase of endotoxic shock, a distinct isoform of NOS (iNOS) is induced in various organs and in the vessel wall. The induction of iNOS is mediated by the release of endogenous tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and PAF by endotoxin. These mediators, in turn, act in parallel, or in synergy to induce iNOS. Induction of iNOS contributes to delayed vascular hyporeactivity in vivo and ex vivo, and to the delayed decrease in blood pressure in rats with endotoxic shock. As endotoxic shock, hemorrhagic shock also leads to an early activation of ecNOS, which is responsible for the early vascular hyporeactivity, and a delayed induction of iNOS that contributes to delayed circulatory failure (vascular decompensation and hyporeactivity). The induction of iNOS in hemorrhagic shock is unlikely to be mediated by endogenous release of endotoxin, eg, due to intestinal ischemia. Endogenous circulating glucocorticoids exert a tonic suppression of the induction of iNOS, as well as the cardiovascular failure in response to endotoxin. Endotoxin tolerance is associated with increased plasma levels of glucocorticoids, which may account for the blunted cardiovascular response and reduced induction of iNOS in these animals. A wide variety of drugs that exert protective effects in various models of circulatory shock also inhibit the induction of iNOS, and this effect is likely to contribute to their protective actions. These drugs include glucocorticoids, TNF-alpha antibodies, IL-1 receptor blockers/antibodies, PAF antagonists, dihydropyridine calcium-channel antagonists, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and the experimental drug cloricromene. Various forms of shock can also lead to an inhibition of NO. production by the calcium-dependent ecNOS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)