In liver cells from rats, nitric oxide lasts longer when there's less oxygen around because it doesn't get used up as quickly.

Directly measures NO half-life across a controlled gradient of oxygen concentrations in isolated rat hepatocytes, using real-time NO detection (e.g., electrochemical sensors or fluorescent probes), while inhibiting alternative NO consumption pathways to isolate oxygen-dependent metabolism.

Demonstrates spatial and temporal NO half-life variation across a continuous oxygen gradient in a microfluidic device containing rat hepatocytes, confirming linear dependence.

Confirms that reduced NO consumption—not altered production or diffusion—is responsible for longer half-life under low oxygen, by selectively blocking known NO-consuming pathways.

Quantifies the linear relationship between oxygen concentration and NO half-life by testing multiple NO donor concentrations across oxygen levels.

Shows that the rate of oxygen consumption by hepatocytes correlates inversely with NO half-life, supporting the mechanistic link.