Hemoglobin (Hb) potently inactivates the nitric oxide (NO) radical via a dioxygenation reaction forming nitrate (NO(3)(-)). This inactivation produces endothelial dysfunction during hemolytic conditions and may contribute to the vascular complications of Hb-based blood substitutes. Hb also functions as a nitrite (NO(2)(-)) reductase, converting nitrite into NO as it deoxygenates. We hypothesized that during intravascular hemolysis, nitrite infusions would limit the vasoconstrictive properties of plasma Hb. In a canine model of low- and high-intensity hypotonic intravascular hemolysis, we characterized hemodynamic responses to nitrite infusions. Hemolysis increased systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures and systemic vascular resistance. Hemolysis also inhibited NO-dependent pulmonary and systemic vasodilation by the NO donor sodium nitroprusside. Compared with nitroprusside, nitrite demonstrated unique effects by not only inhibiting hemolysis-associated vasoconstriction but also by potentiating vasodilation at plasma Hb concentrations of <25 muM. We also observed an interaction between plasma Hb levels and nitrite to augment nitroprusside-induced vasodilation of the pulmonary and systemic circulation. This nitrite reductase activity of Hb in vivo was recapitulated in vitro using a mitochondrial NO sensor system. Nitrite infusions may promote NO generation from Hb while maintaining oxygen delivery; this effect could be harnessed to treat hemolytic conditions and to detoxify Hb-based blood substitutes.