Gycine and GABA interact to regulate the nitric oxide/cGMP signaling pathway in the turtle retina

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical that is important in retinal signal transduction and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is a critical downstream messenger of NO. The NO/cGMP signaling pathway has been shown to modulate neurotransmitter release and gap junction coupling in horizontal cells and amacrine cells, and increase the gain of the light response in photoreceptors. However, many of the mechanisms controlling the production of NO and cGMP remain unclear. Previous studies have shown activation of NO/cGMP production in response to stimulation with N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) or nicotine, and the differential modulation of cGMP production by GABA(A) and GABA(C) receptors (GABA(A)Rs and GABA(C)Rs). This study used cGMP immunocytochemistry and NO imaging to investigate how the inhibitory GABAergic and glycinergic systems modulate the production of NO and cGMP. Our data show that blocking glycine receptors (GLYR) with strychnine (STRY) produced moderate increases in cGMP-like immunoreactivity (cGMP-LI) in select types of amacrine and bipolar cells, and strong increases in NO-induced fluorescence (NO-IF). TPMPA, a selective GABACR antagonist, greatly reduced the increases in cGMP-LI stimulated by STRY, but did not influence the increase in NO-IF stimulated by STRY. Bicuculline (BIC), a GABA(A)R antagonist, however, enhanced the increases in both the cGMP-LI and NO-IF stimulated by STRY. CNQX, a selective antagonist for alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazoleproprionic acid hydrobromide/kainic acid (AMPA/KA) receptors, eliminated both the increases in cGMP-LI and NO-IF stimulated by STRY, while MK801, a selective antagonist for NMDA receptors, slightly increased the cGMP-LI and slightly decreased the NO-IF stimulated by STRY. Finally, double labeling of NO-stimulated cGMP and either GLY or GABA indicated that cGMP predominantly colocalized with GLY. Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis that GLY and GABA interact in the regulation of the NO/cGMP signaling pathway, where GLY primarily inhibits NO production and GABA has a greater effect on cGMP production. Such interacting inhibitory pathways could shape the course of signal transduction of the NO/cGMP pathway under different physiological situations.     

Localization of heme oxygenase-2 and modulation of cGMP levels by carbon monoxide and/or nitric oxide in the retina

Heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) synthesizes carbon monoxide (CO), a modulator of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC). To examine this signal transduction pathway in the retina, we immunocytochemically localized HO-2, and investigated the effects of CO on cGMP levels. In turtle, HO-2-like immunoreactivity (-LI) was in all photoreceptors, some amacrine cells, and in numerous bipolar and ganglion cells. HO-2-LI colocalized with sGC activity in many cells. In rat, HO-LI was found only in the inner retina, in ganglion and amacrine cells. In turtle, stimulation with CO alone primarily increased cGMP-LI in bipolar cells in the visual streak. Stimulation with a combination of CO and nitric oxide (NO) dramatically increased cGMP-LI throughout the retina, in comparison to the smaller increases seen with NO or CO alone. These data suggest that CO is an endogenous modulator of the sGC/cGMP signaling pathway in many retinal neurons, and can dramatically amplify NO-stimulated increases in cGMP.     

Imaging of nitric oxide in the retina

Nitric oxide (NO) is the most widespread signaling molecule found in the retina in that it can be made by every retinal cell type. NO is able to influence a wide variety of synaptic mechanisms ranging from increasing or decreasing neurotransmitter release to the modulation of gap junction conductivity. Although biochemical methods can analyze overall levels of NO, such methods cannot indicate the specific cell types involved. In the last few years, fluorescent imaging methods utilizing diaminofluorescein have allowed the real-time visualization of neurochemically or light stimulated NO-induced fluorescence (NO-IF) in specific retinal cells. Recent experiments have shown that this NO-IF can be stabilized using paraformaldehyde fixation. This aldehyde stabilization has allowed the imaging of NO production in the dark and in response to light, as well as the neurochemical modulation of light stimulated NO production. The results of these studies indicate that NO is not always freely diffusible and that NO is largely retained in many cells which make it. The NO production in retina is highly damped in that in the absence of stimulation, the endogenous levels of NO production are extremely low. Finally, different neurochemical or light stimulation protocols activate NO production in specific cells and subcellular compartments. Therefore, although the NO signaling is widespread in retina, it is very selectively activated and has different functions in specific retinal cell types. The use of NO imaging will continue to play a critical role in future studies of the function of NO in retina and other neural systems.     

cAMP-responsive element binding protein mediates a cGMP/protein kinase G-dependent anti-apoptotic signal induced by nitric oxide in retinal neuro-glial progenitor cells

Nitric oxide (NO) is cytoprotective to certain types of neuronal cells. The neuroprotective ability of NO in the retina was reportedly mediated by the cyclic GMP (cGMP) to protein kinase G (PKG) pathway. Cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) plays an essential role in the NO/cGMP/PKG-mediated survival of rat cerebellar granule cells. We tested whether CREB transduces the NO/cGMP/PKG anti-apoptotic cascade in R28 neuro-glial progenitor cells. Apoptosis was induced in R28 cells by serum deprivation for 24 h. Varying concentrations of two NO donors, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and nipradilol, were added to medium with or without an NO scavenger, a soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, or a PKG inhibitor. The cells were immunostained against activated caspase-3 and counterstained with Hoechst 33258. Apoptosis was quantified by counting activated caspase-3 positive or pyknotic cells. SNP and nipradilol rescued R28 cells from apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, at an optimal concentration of 1.0 microM and 10 microM, respectively. Higher concentrations were cytotoxic. The NO scavenger and the inhibitors decreased the anti-apoptotic effect of the NO donors. Intracellular cGMP levels were increased after exposure to SNP and nipradilol. Western blotting showed that both NO donors increased CREB phosphorylation, which was blocked when pre-exposed to the inhibitors. Transfection with a dominant negative CREB construct defective of phosphorylation at Ser-133 interfered with the anti-apoptotic activity of SNP. These results indicate that CREB at least in part mediates the cGMP/PKG-dependent anti-apoptotic signal induced by NO in R28 cells.     

Direct imaging of NMDA-stimulated nitric oxide production in the retina

In the retina, nitric oxide (NO) functions in network coupling, light adaptation, neurotransmitter receptor function, and synaptic release. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is present in the retina of every vertebrate species investigated. However, although nNOS can be found in every retinal cell type, little is known about the production of NO in specific cells or about the diffusion of NO within the retina. We used diaminofluorescein-2 (DAF-2) to image real-time NO production in turtle retina in response to stimulation with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). In response to NMDA, NO was produced in somata in the ganglion cell and inner nuclear layers, in synaptic boutons and processes in the inner plexiform layer, in processes in the outer plexiform layer, and in photoreceptor inner segments. This NO-dependent fluorescence production quickly reached transient peaks and declined more slowly toward baseline levels at different rates in different cells. In some cases, the NO signal was primarily confined to within 10 microm of the source, which suggests that NO may not diffuse freely through the retina. Such limited spread was not predicted and suggests that NO signal transduction may be more selective than suggested, and that NO may play significant intracellular roles in cells that produce it. Because NO-dependent fluorescence within amacrine cells can be confined to the soma, specific dendritic sites, or both with distinct kinetics, NO may function at specific synapses, modulate gene expression, or coordinate events throughout the cell.     

Effects of melatonin on the nitric oxide treated retina

AIMS: Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical which reportedly causes damage to living cells. This study evaluated the damaging effect of NO and the protection of melatonin on the retina in vivo. METHODS: Female Wistar rats (230-250 g) received two intraperitoneal injections of either melatonin (5 mg/kg) or vehicle alone. After general anaesthesia, the animals received 1 microl intravitreal injections of 0.9% saline and 1 mM sodium nitroprusside (SNP) into the right eye and the left eye, respectively. The animals were divided into two groups and then sacrificed after 24 hours (day 1) and 96 hours (day 4). The mean inner retinal layer thickness (mIRLT), the number of retinas expressing hyperchromatic (HC) nuclei in the inner nuclear layer (INL) and the apoptotic ganglion cell detection were compared. RESULTS: After 1 day, SNP significantly increased the mIRLT by 45% (p = 0.004), initiated more INL nuclear HC expression (p = 0.01) and apoptotic nuclei (p<0.05) compared with the control eyes. Injection of melatonin ameliorated these changes. On day 4, SNP demonstrated similar effects in all parameters on the retina. After the injection of melatonin, both INL HC expression and apoptotic ganglion nuclei in the SNP treated eyes were similar to the controls but the mIRLT was significantly greater than in controls (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Uncontrolled NO elevation caused morphological and nuclear changes in the retina. Melatonin significantly suppressed the NO induced increase in mIRLT, INL HC expression, and apoptotic ganglion cells on day 1, but not after day 4. Melatonin may have a protective role in the NO elevated retina.     

Modulation of GABA release by nitric oxide in the chick retina: Different effects of nitric oxide depending on the cell population

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is considered to be the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, including the retina. It has been shown that nitric oxide (NO) can influence the physiology of all retinal neuronal types, by mechanisms including modulation of GABA release. However, until now, there have been no data concerning the effects on endogenous GABA release of NO produced by cells in the intact retina. In the present study, we have investigated how NO production induced by drugs influences the release of endogenous GABA in cells of the intact retina of mature chicken. Retinas were exposed to different drugs that affect NO production, and GABA remaining in the tissue was detected by immunohistochemical procedures. A specific nNOS inhibitor (7-NI) reduced the number of GABA + amacrine cells and cells in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) by 33% and 41%, respectively. A GABA transporter inhibitor blocked this effect. L-arginine (100 μM), the precursor of NO, induced increases of 62% and 34% in the number of GABA + amacrine cells and GCL cells, respectively. A sodium (Na⁺)-free solution, 7-NI and a PKG inhibitor prevented the effect of L-arginine (100 μM). However, a higher concentration of L-arginine (1 mM) induced a 35% reduction in the number of GABA + cells by a Na⁺-dependent mechanism that was restricted to the GCL population. NMDA, which stimulates NO production, increased GABA release as indicated by 53% and 38% reductions in the number of GABA + amacrine cells and GCL cells, respectively. This effect was blocked by 7-NI only in GCL cells. We conclude that basal NO production and moderate NO production (possibly induced by L-arginine; 100 μM) inhibit basal GABA release from amacrine cells and GCL cells. However, NMDA or L-arginine (1 mM) induce a NO-dependent increase in GABA release in GCL cells, possibly by stimulating higher NO production.     

氨基胍对兔缺血-再灌注损伤后视网膜形态学及一氧化氮和一氧化氮合酶表达的影响

背景临床研究表明,多种眼科疾病如青光眼、视网膜中央动脉阻塞、缺血性视神经病变等均可导致视网膜缺血-再灌注损伤（RIRI）,严重影响视功能,因而对治疗RIRI药物的研究是非常必要的。目的观察并探讨氨基胍对兔RIRI后形态学的变化,并研究其对一氧化氮（NO）及一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）在视网膜中表达的影响及其机制。方法清洁级日本大耳白兔66只,以随机数字表法分为正常组、RIRI模型组和氨基胍治疗组。用前房灌注生理盐水法升高眼压60min后恢复灌注建立兔RIRI模型,氨基胍治疗组每日在模型兔腹腔内注射氨基胍注射液80mg／kg,而RIRI模型组以同样的方法注射等量生理盐水。RIRI模型组和氨基胍治疗组分别于缺血即时、再灌注后6、24、72h各取2只兔活体行眼底彩色照相及荧光素眼底血管造影（FFA）。各组兔分别于再灌注后1、6、24、72h用空气栓塞法处死并摘除眼球以制备视网膜切片,用TUNEL法检测视网膜组织神经细胞的凋亡变化,通过硝酸还原酶法检测NO浓度,比色法检测iNOS活力。结果各时间点眼底彩色照相及FFA检查结果表明,与RIRI模型组比较,氨基胍治疗组视网膜水肿程度减轻,血管闭塞程度及比例降低,荧光素渗漏量及面积减轻并减少。TUNEL染色凋亡细胞计数检测表明,正常组兔视网膜未见TUNEL阳性细胞,而缺血-再灌注1、6、24、72h后RIRI模型组兔视网膜凋亡细胞计数均明显高于氨基胍治疗组（F分组=2762．37,P=0．00;F时间=894．24,P=0．00）。RIRI模型组和氨基胍治疗组各组内相邻时间点之间TUNEL阳性细胞的差异均有统计学意义（RIRI模型组：q=24．47、36．59、-20．37,P〈0．05;氨基胍治疗组：q=20．94、16．79、-6．92,P〈0．05）,再灌注后24h各组TUNEL阳性细胞数量达到高峰。各时间点RIRI模型组兔视网膜NO浓度明显高于氨基胍治疗组（q=3．84、4．01、8．91、3．75,P〈0．05）,各组内相邻时间点之间NO浓度的差异均有统计学意义（RIRI模型组：q=4．77、13．40、-10．29,P〈0．05;氨基胍治疗组：q=4．55、9．05、-5．08,P〈0．05）,各组24h视网膜中NO浓度达峰值。各时间点RIRI组视网膜iNOS活力均明显高于氨基胍治疗组（q=-3．74、-4．94、-6．53、-3．98,P〈0．05）;各组内相邻时间点间iNOS活力的差异均有统计学意义（RIRI模型组：q=8．43、6．71、-6．39,P〈0．05;氨基胍治疗组：q=4．16、5．08、-3．93,P〈0．05）,各组24h iNOS活力达峰值。结论氨基胍对维持RIRI后的视网膜形态和功能起保护作用,其作用机制可能为抑制iNOS的活性,减少NO的生成。     

急性高眼压状态大鼠视网膜一氧化氮 及其合酶变化的研究

目的通过对急性高眼压下大鼠视网膜一氧化氮(nitric oxid e,NO)及其合酶(nitric oxide synthase,NOS)变化的分析,探讨一氧化氮在高眼压视网膜损伤中的作用。方法Wistar大鼠60只,随机分成为高眼压30 min组;高眼压60 min组;高眼压90 min组;高眼压后12 h组和高眼压后24 h 组。前房加压灌注成高眼压模型。利用镀铜镉还原法测定视网膜中NO₂^－/NO₃^－ 的 含量从而间接反映视网膜组织中NO的含量。利用免疫组织化学法研究视网膜内神经结构型一氧化氮合酶(neuronal constitutive nitric oxide synthase,ncNOS)的分布及其变化。结果正常及缺血大鼠视网膜神经结构型一氧化氮合酶(ncNOS)主要位于大鼠视网膜内核层内侧,节细胞层,内丛状层。急性高眼压30min,60min ,90min大鼠视网膜NO的含量逐渐下降(P<0.01),ncNOS阳性 细胞数也逐渐减少(P<0.05),阳性物质表达减弱;急性高眼压 90min后再灌注过程中,NO的含量比90min时明显升高(P<0.05),但与正常比较仍显著下降(P<0.01)。ncNOS阳性细胞数继续减少(P <0.01)。结论一氧化氮参与了急性高 眼压下视网膜损伤过程;通过ncNOS催化的途径合成的NO对缺血以及缺血再灌注的视网膜可能具有重要的作用。(中华眼底病杂志,2001,17:230-233)     

Effects of nitric oxide on horizontal cells in the rabbit retina

Retinal horizontal cells display large receptive fields as a result of extensive electrical coupling via gap junctions. There is abundant evidence that these gap junctions are dynamically regulated by changes in the adaptational state of the retina. The neuromodulator dopamine appears to play a major role in regulating gap junctional conductances of horizontal cells. Emerging evidence indicates that nitric oxide (NO) also acts as a neuromodulator in the retina and, more specifically, regulates the coupling between horizontal cells. In the present study, we examined the effects of a nitric oxide, and its secondary messenger cGMP, on electrical and tracer coupling between A-type and between B-type horizontal cells in the rabbit retina. Application of the NO donors S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) significantly reduced the coupling between horizontal cells as evidenced by a decrease in their space constants, annulus-to-small spot response ratios, and the extent of tracer coupling following injection with Neurobiotin. Further, application of SNP eliminated the increase in coupling of horizontal cells normally seen with exposure to dim background illumination. Application of 8-bromo-cGMP produced effects similar to those of the NO donors, consistent with the idea that the uncoupling actions of NO were mediated via a cGMP cascade. In addition, the NO donors and cGMP augmented the responsiveness of A- and B-type cells to both small and large spots of light. This augmentation appeared to be due to secondary effects on photoreceptor transduction and/or photoreceptor-to-horizontal cell synaptic efficacy that were distinct from the actions on gap junctions. Our results suggest that NO may mediate changes in coupling between horizontal cells related to the adaptational state of the mammalian retina.     

Localization of nitric oxide synthase in the tree shrew retina.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a novel neuronal messenger that likely influences retinal function by activating retinal guanylyl cyclase to increase levels of cGMP. In the present study, the localization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS, Type I NOS) in the cone-dominant tree shrew retina was studied using NADPH-d histochemistry and nNOS immunocytochemistry. Both NADPH-d and nNOS-immunoreactivity (IR) labeled the inner segments of rods and the myoids of a regular subpopulation of cones, with their corresponding nuclei outlined. The labeled cone myoids were co-localized with a marker for short-wave-sensitive (SWS) cones (S-antigen) and also displayed the regular triangular packing and density (7%) characteristic of SWS cones in tree shrew and other mammalian retinas. These measures confirmed the identity of the labeled cones as SWS cones. Photoreceptor ellipsoids of all cones were strongly labeled by NADPH-d reactivity, but lacked nNOS-IR. Another novel finding in tree shrew retina was that both NADPH-d and nNOS-IR labeled Muller cells, which have not been labeled by nNOS-IR in other mammalian retinas. Consistent with findings in rod-dominant retinas, two types of amacrine cells at the vitreal edge of the inner nuclear layer and a subpopulation of displaced amacrine cells at the scleral edge of the ganglion cell layer were labeled by both NADPH-d and nNOS-IR. Processes of these labeled cells were seen to extend into the inner plexiform layer, where dense punctate label was seen, especially in the central sublamina. These results show that localization of NOS in the cone-dominant tree shrew retina shares some common properties with rod-dominant mammalian retinas, but also shows some species-specific characteristics. The new finding of nNOS localization in tree shrew SWS cones and rods, but not in other cones, raises interesting questions about the roles of NO in the earliest level of visual processing.     

Inducible nitric oxide synthase subserves cholinergic vasodilation in retina

In this paper, we investigate the role of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) activity in the regulation of inducible (i) nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and activity. The signaling pathway involved is also examined. These experiments also provide a link between mAChR activation and the nitric oxide (NO)-dependent regulation of retinal vascular diameter. The diameter of the retinal vessels at a distance of 1 disc diameter from the center of the optic disc was measured in rats using digital retinal photography, and both iNOS-mRNA gene expression and NOS were specifically measured using RT-PCR and [U-(14)C] citrulline assays, respectively. Stimulation of M(1) and M(3) mAChR with carbachol caused an increase in vessel diameter, in iNOS-mRNA levels and in NOS activity in the retina. Aminoguanidine, an inhibitor of iNOS, attenuated all these effects. Inhibitors of phospholipase C (PLC) and protein kinase C (PKC) but not calcium/calmodulin (CaM) prevented the muscarinic-dependent increase in iNOS-mRNA levels. The results obtained suggest that the activation of mAChR increases retinal vessel diameters by increasing the production of nitric oxide (NO) through iNOS activation and iNOS-mRNA gene expression. The mechanism appears to occur secondarily to stimulation of PLC and PKC enzymatic activity.     

Suppression of hypoxia-associated vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression by nitric oxide via cGMP

PURPOSE: To investigate the suppressive effect of nitric oxide (NO) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression and to elucidate its mechanism of action. METHODS: Immortalized human retinal epithelial (RPE) cells, H-ras-transfected murine capillary endothelial cells, and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) RelA knockout 3T3 fibroblasts had VEGF gene expression stimulated by hypoxia, TPA (phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13 acetate), and ras-transfection. The dose response and time course of inhibition of VEGF gene expression by NO were characterized by northern blot analysis, ribonuclease protection assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of NF-kappaB and cGMP in the NO-induced suppression of VEGF gene expression were quantitated. cGMP production was inhibited by LY 83583 (6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione), a specific inhibitor of guanylate cyclase production, and cGMP accumulation was quantitated by immunoassay. RelA knockout 3T3 fibroblasts were used to assess the contribution of NF-kappaB to the downregulation of VEGF by NO. RESULTS: The NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) decreased hypoxia-induced VEGF gene expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. One hundred fifty micromolar SNP completely suppressed hypoxia-induced VEGF mRNA levels for at least 24 hours. Constitutive VEGF expression was not altered by SNP. The SNP-mediated decreases in VEGF expression were associated with increases in intracellular cGMP and were blocked by LY 83583. Sodium nitroprusside was able to decrease hypoxia-induced VEGF mRNA increases in fibroblasts deficient in the RelA subunit of NF-kappaB. Nitric oxide was also effective at suppressing increased VEGF expression secondan, to mutant ras and TPA. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that NO decreases hypoxia-induced VEGF via a cGMP-dependent mechanism and suggest that NO may serve as an endogenous inhibitor of both hypoxia- and non- hypoxia-enhanced VEGF expression in vivo.     

The role of nitric oxide and cGMP in somatostatin's protection against retinal ischemia

PURPOSE: To investigate whether nitric oxide (NO) and/or cGMP protects the retina from chemical ischemia and underlie somatostatin's neuroprotective effects. METHODS: Eyecups of female Sprague-Dawley rats were incubated with PBS or the chemical ischemia mixture [iodoacetic acid (5 mM)/sodium cyanate (25 mM)] in the absence or presence of (1) arginine (0.05-2.0 mM), the substrate of nitric oxide synthase (NOS); (2) the NO donors sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 0.25-4.0 mM), 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1; 0.1, 0.3, 1.0 mM), SIN-1 (0.1 mM)/L-cysteine (5 mM, peroxynitrite scavenger), and NONOate (1, 5, 10 microM, slow NO releaser); (3) 8-Br-cGMP (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 mM); (4) BIM23014 (sst(2) receptor agonist; 1 microM), alone or in the presence of (5) the NOS inhibitor N(gamma)-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA; 0.5 mM); or (6) the guanylyl cyclase inhibitors 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolol [4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ;100 microM) and NS2028 (50 microM) for 60 minutes, at 5%CO(2)/air in 37 degrees C. The effect of SIN-1 (0.1, 0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 mM) on the retina was also examined. Subsequently, the eyecups were fixed and sectioned for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactivity and TUNEL staining. RESULTS: Arginine and SNP had no effect on the chemical ischemia-induced toxicity. SIN-1, NONOate, and 8-Br-cGMP produced a concentration-dependent protective effect, as shown by ChAT immunoreactivity. TUNEL staining also confirmed the neuroprotective effect of these agents. L-cysteine partially reduced the SIN-1-induced protective effect. SIN-1 alone was toxic only at the highest concentration used (3 mM). NMMA, ODQ, and NS2028 reversed the protective effect of BIM23014. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a NO/peroxynitrite/cGMP mechanism may be important in the protection of the retina from ischemic insult. Furthermore, the NO/sGC/cGMP pathway is involved in the neuroprotective effects of sst(2) ligands against retinal ischemia.     

链脲佐菌素诱导的糖尿病大鼠早期视网膜NO的变化

目的利用链脲佐菌素(STZ)诱导的1型糖尿病大鼠模型,研究糖尿病早期视网膜一氧化氮(NO)浓度的变化。方法健康成年雄性SD大鼠腹腔注射STZ60mg/kg,7d后血糖>13.9mmol/L入选为糖尿病组,与正常对照组在无特定病原体(SPF)环境下饲养,每周监测体重与血糖。8周后氯胺酮全身麻醉下摘取眼球,分离视网膜,制成组织匀浆。应用硝酸还原酶法测定组织NO浓度。结果糖尿病组与对照组在8周末时的平均体重差异有极显著统计学意义(t=11,P<0.01)。两组在各观察时段的平均血糖水平差异均有显著统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组视网膜样品的蛋白浓度差异无显著统计学意义(t=0.765,P>0.05)。糖尿病组视网膜平均NO浓度为(0.352±0.256)μmol/gprot,对照组为(0.031±0.017)μmol/gprot,两组间差异有显著统计学意义(t=2.79,P<0.05)。结论STZ诱导的糖尿病大鼠早期视网膜NO浓度增加,是引起糖尿病早期视网膜血管功能性改变的重要因素。     

Endogenous nitric oxide enhances the light-response of cones during light-adaptation in the rat retina

The electroretinogram (ERG) is a non-invasive indicator of retinal function. Light flashes evoke a cornea-negative a-wave followed by a cornea-positive b-wave. Light-adaptation is known to increase the amplitude of cone-dependent b-waves. To identify the underlying mechanism, we recorded rat cone photoresponses in situ, using intravitreally-injected glutamate to block synaptic transmission and intense paired-flash stimuli to isolate cone a-waves. Steady adapting illumination caused a progressive increase in cone a-wave amplitude, which was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner by intravitreal CPTIO, a nitric oxide scavenger. We conclude that light-adaptation causes release of nitric oxide, which enhances the cone photoresponse.     

Inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitors abolished histological protection by late ischemic preconditioning in rat retina

Brief ischemia was reported to protect retinal cells against injury induced by subsequent ischemia-reperfusion with de novo protein synthesis, and this phenomenon is known as late ischemic preconditioning. The aims of the present study were to determine whether nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was involved in the mechanism of late ischemic preconditioning in rat retina using pharmacological tools. Under anesthesia with pentobarbital sodium, male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 60 min of retinal ischemia by raising intraocular pressure to 130 mm Hg. Ischemic preconditioning was achieved by applying 5 min of ischemia 24 hrs before 60 min of ischemia. Retinal sections sliced into 5 microm thick were examined 7 days after ischemia. Additional groups of rats received NG-nitro-L-arginine and NG-monomethyl-L-arginin, non-selective NO synthase inhibitors, 7-nitroindazole, a neuronal NOS inhibitor, and aminoguanidine and L-N6-(1-iminoethyl) lysine, inducible NO synthase (iNOS) inhibitors before preconditioning, and were subjected to 60 min of ischemia. In the non-preconditioned group, cell loss in the ganglion cell layer and thinning of the inner plexiform and inner nuclear layer were observed 7 days after 60 min of ischemia. Ischemic preconditioning for 5 min completely protected against the histological damage induced by 60 min of ischemia applied 24 hrs thereafter. Treatment of rats with aminoguanidine and L-N6-(1-iminoethyl) lysine, but not NG-nitro-L-arginine, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine or 7-nitroindazole, wiped off the protective effect of ischemic preconditioning. The inhibitory effect of aminoguanidine was abolished by L-arginine, but not D-arginine. The results in the present study suggest that NO synthesized by iNOS is involved in the histological protection by late ischemic preconditioning in rat retina.     

Correlations between neuronal nitric oxide synthase and muscarinic M3/M1 receptors in the rat retina

This study determined the different signal pathways involved in M1/M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) dependent stimulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity/cyclic GMP (cGMP) production and nNOS mRNA expression in rat retina. Exposure of the retina to different concentrations of carbachol caused an increase in NOS activity, cGMP production and phosphoinositol (PI) accumulation. The increase in NOS activity and cGMP content was blocked by L-NMMA and ODQ, respectively. Also, phospholipase C (PLC) and calcium/calmodulin (CaM) inhibition prevented the carbachol activation on NOS/cGMP pathways. Both, 4-DAMP and pirenzepine but not AF-DX 116 blocked the increase in NOS and cGMP induced by carbachol. Carbachol-stimulation of M1/M3 mAChR increased nNOS-mRNA levels associated with an increase of endogenous NO and cGMP production. The mechanism appears to occur secondarily to stimulation of PIs turnover via PLC. This triggers a cascade reaction involving CaM and soluble guanylate cyclase leading to NO and cGMP accumulation, that in turn, up regulates nNOS-mRNA gene expression. These results give novel insight into the mechanism involved in the regulation of nNOS-mRNA levels by mAChR activation of retina.     

Inducible nitric oxide synthase mediates retinal DNA damage in Goto-Kakizaki rat retina

PURPOSE: To examine the nitrosative and oxidative DNA damage induced by 8-nitroguanine and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG), and to determine the role played by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in damage to DNA in the retina of the Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat. METHODS: Experiments were performed on GK rats, an animal model of spontaneous type 2 diabetes without obesity or visible diabetic vascular lesions. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the retinal distribution of 8-nitroguanine, 8-OHdG, and iNOS in GK rats and control rats. The change in the expression of 8-nitroguanine and 8-OHdG in GK rats was also determined following an intravitreal injection of 1400W, an inhibitor of iNOS activity. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis showed that 8-nitroguanine and 8-OHdG were expressed strongly in the inner nuclear layer of GK retinas but only weakly in control retinas. This expression was correlated with an increase in the expression of iNOS in GK retinas, which was confirmed by the inhibition of iNOS activity by 1400W. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that iNOS plays a crucial role in nitrosative and oxidative DNA damage in GK rats, suggesting a retinal neurotoxic role of nitric oxide and superoxide in diabetic retinas.