The stabilization of S-nitrosothiols is critical for the development of assays to measure their concentration in tissues. Low-molecular-weight S-nitrosothiols are unstable in tissue homogenates, even in the presence of thiol blockers or metal-ion chelators. The aim of this study was to try and stabilize low-molecular-weight S-nitrosothiols in tissue and gain insight into the mechanisms leading to their decomposition. Rat tissues (liver, kidney, heart, and brain) were perfused and homogenized in the presence of a thiol-blocking agent (N-ethylmaleimide) and a metal-ion chelator (DTPA). Incubation of liver homogenate with low-molecular-weight S-nitrosothiols (L-CysNO, D-CysNO, and GSNO) resulted in their rapid decomposition in a temperature-dependent manner as measured by chemiluminescence. The decomposition of L-CysNO requires a cytoplasmic factor, with activity greatest in liver > kidney > heart > brain > plasma, and is inhibitable by enzymatic proteolysis or heating to 80 degrees C, suggesting that a protein catalyzes the decomposition of S-nitrosothiols. The ability of liver homogenate to catalyze the decomposition of L-CysNO is up-regulated during endotoxemia and is dependent on oxygen, with the major product being nitrate. Multiple agents were tested for their ability to block the decomposition of L-CysNO without success, with the exception of potassium ferricyanide, which completely blocked CysNO decomposition in liver homogenates. This suggests that a ferrous protein (or group of ferrous proteins) may be involved. We also show that homogenization of tissues in ferricyanide-containing buffers in the presence of N-ethylmaleimide and DTPA can stabilize both low- and high-molecular-weight S-nitrosothiols in tissues before the measurement of their concentration.