大鼠阴茎海绵体nNOS神经纤维损伤后再生可能性的研究

目的 探讨海绵体神经损伤对阴茎海绵体ｎＮＯＳ神经纤维的影响。方法 采用免疫组织化学技术ＳＰ法测定大鼠海绵体神经损伤后阴茎勃起组织ｎＮＯＳ神经纤维数量。结果 双侧损伤组术后３周,阴茎海绵体ｎＮＯＳ神经纤维显著减少,６个月后仍很少;单侧损伤组,术后３周损伤侧ｎＮＯＳ神经纤维的改变类似于双侧损伤组,６个月后损伤侧ｎＮＯＳ神经纤维明显增多,接近于对侧水平。结论 阴茎海绵体ｎＮＯＳ神经纤维在单侧海绵体神经损     

Effect of aging on expression of nitric oxide synthase I and activity of nitric oxide synthase in rat penis

Aim: To investigate the effect of aging on the expression of nitric oxide synthase I (NOS I) and the activity of NOS in rat penis. Methods: Sixty male rats from 3 age groups (adult, old and senescent) were investigated. The expression of NOS I protein and mRNA in rat penis were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR respectively and the NOS activity, with ultraviolet spectrophotometry. Results: In the old and senescent group, NOS I protein expression was significantly decreased as compared with the adult. NOS I mRNA expression was well correlated with the protein expression. NOS activity was not statistically different between the adult and old groups, but it was significantly reduced in the senescent compared with the adult group (P<0.01). Conclusion: The aging-induced decreases in NOS I expression and NOS activity may be one of the main mechanisms leading to erectile dysfunction in the senescent rats.     

Pubertal development of penile nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing nerve fibers in the rat

Objectives  

To evaluate the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing nerve fibers in penile tissue in different age groups in the rat and to measure serum testosterone levels during this developmental process.     

Localization and role of nitric oxide synthase and endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitors in the rabbit lower urinary tract

PURPOSE: We investigated the possible role of endogenous methylarginine derivatives, such as NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), asymmetrical NG, NG-dimethyl-L-arginine (ADMA) and symmetrical NG, N'G-dimethyl-L-arginine (SDMA), for regulating nitric oxide synthase in the rabbit lower urinary tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Strips of detrusor, trigone and proximal urethra were processed for the determination of endogenous methylarginines and L-arginine by automated high performance liquid chromatography. We also compared nitric oxide synthase activity and nitric oxide mediated functional responses to electrical field stimulation in the 3 regions. Nitric oxide synthase activity was measured by determining the conversion of [3H] L-arginine to [3H] L-citrulline. RESULTS: L-NMMA, ADMA and SDMA were detectable by high performance liquid chromatography in the detrusor, trigone and proximal urethra. Electrical field stimulation induced nitric oxide mediated prominent relaxation in the trigone and proximal urethra, while no relaxation response was observed in the detrusor. Exogenously applied 1 to 100 microM. L-NMMA and 1 to 100 microM. ADMA but not 100 microM. SDMA dependently inhibited Ca2+ dependent nitric oxide synthase activity in all regions, and electrical field stimulation induced relaxation in the trigone and proximal urethra. Inhibition with L-NMMA and ADMA was blocked in the presence of 3 mM. L-arginine but not by 3 mM. D-arginine. CONCLUSIONS: Three methylarginines and nitric oxide synthase are localized throughout the rabbit lower urinary tract. Endogenous L-NMMA and ADMA may be involved in regulating nitric oxide biosynthesis of the micturition reflex in the normal or disease state.     

Effect of diabetes and insulin treatment on nitric oxide synthase content in rat corpus cavernosum

AIM: To study the effect of diabetes mellitus and insulin treatment on rat penile nitric oxide synthase content. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided at random into two groups: the Control (n = 8) and the Diabetic (n = 17). Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The diabetic animals were then randomly divided into two subgroups: diabetic rats without insulin treatment (n = 7) and diabetic rats with insulin treatment (n = 10). The neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the penile corpus cavernosum were assayed by immumohistochemical staining with specific antibody to nNOS and the nNOS-positive nerve fibers were counted semiquantitatively under a high power microscope. RESULTS: The nNOS- positive nerve fibres in diabetic rats with treatment was higher than that in diabetic rats without treatment (P < 0.05) and lower than that in the controls (P < 0. 01). The nNOS-positive nerve fibres in diabetic rat without treatment were also lower than that in the controls (P < 0. 01). CONCLUSION: In streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, the nNOS content in the penile corpus cavernosum was significantly decreased. Insulin treatment at the dose level employed partially restores the penile nNOS content in these rats.     

Effect of diabetes and insulin treatment on nitric oxide synthase content in rat corpus cavemosum

Aim: To study the effect of diabetes mellitus and insulin treatment on rat penile nitric oxide synthase content.Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided at random into two groups: the Control (n = 8) and the Diabetic (n =17). Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The diabetic animals were then ran-domly divided into two subgroups; diabetic rats without insulin treatment (n = 7) and diabetic rats with insulin treat-ment (n = 10). The neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the penile corpus cavernosum were assayed by immumo-histochemical staining with specific antibody to nNOS and the nNOS-positive nerve fibers were counted semiquantita-tively under a high power microscope. Results: The nNOS- positive nerve fibres in diabetic rats with treatment washigher than that in diabetic rats without treatment ( P < 0.05) and lower than that in the controls ( P < 0.01). ThenNOS-positive nerve fibres in diabetic rat without treatment were also lower than that in the controls (     

Inducible nitric oxide synthase promotes pathophysiological consequences of experimental bladder outlet obstruction

PURPOSE: Bladder outlet obstruction leads to histological and functional changes in the bladder over time. We investigated the role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the progression of pathological changes of the bladder secondary to outlet obstruction in a rat and a mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To assess expression of iNOS in the bladder, polymerase chain reaction amplification of mRNA was done. Rats were subjected to sham operation or partial bladder outlet obstruction. They were given the iNOS inhibitor aminoguanidine in drinking water or unmodified water. After 2 weeks, awake cystometric evaluation was performed, the bladders were harvested and the degree of fibrosis was assessed. In another series of experiments mice deficient in the iNOS gene (iNOS -/-) were compared to WT mice for cystometric as well as histological changes in the bladder following partial bladder outlet obstruction or sham operation. RESULTS: Partial bladder outlet obstruction induced the expression of iNOS mRNA in the mouse bladder. iNOS -/- mice showed a significantly smaller increase in bladder volume at 3 weeks compared with WT. Pharmacological inhibition of iNOS activity significantly attenuated the increase in bladder size and the number of spontaneous bladder contractions in obstructed rats at 2 weeks. Furthermore, genetic and pharmacological decreases in iNOS led to significantly less fibrosis of the bladder after partial bladder outlet obstruction in mice and rats, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacological or genetic decreases in iNOS resulted in amelioration of functional and fibrotic changes in the bladder after partial bladder outlet obstruction, suggesting that NO contributes to the pathophysiology of bladder outlet obstruction.     

Regional expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the kidney in dogs with unilateral ureteral obstruction

PURPOSE: In the early stage of unilateral ureteral obstruction total renal blood flow increases but medullary blood flow decreases, exacerbating medullary tissue hypoxia. We examined the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, a product of a hypoxia sensitive gene, in the cortex and medulla in dogs with unilateral ureteral obstruction for 21 hours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hemodynamic and clearance experiments were performed after release of ureteral obstruction in 6 dogs with unilateral ureteral obstruction, followed by Western blot analysis of nitric oxide synthase and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Ureteral obstruction raised mean ureteral pressure plus or minus standard error to 35.0 +/- 7.2 mm. Hg. In dogs with unilateral ureteral obstruction mean renal blood flow was 116 +/- 10 ml. per minute, lower than the 213 +/- 22 ml. per minute in sham operated dogs (p <0.01). After unilateral ureteral obstruction release the mean glomerular filtration rate was 9.5 +/- 2.1 ml. per minute, lower than the 27.3 +/- 1.8 ml. per minute in the contralateral unobstructed kidney (p <0.01). Western blot analysis showed that mean nitric oxide synthase/beta-actin in the cortex of the obstructed kidney was 0.04 +/- 0.01 densitometry units, lower than 0.11 +/- 0.02 densitometry units in the unobstructed contralateral kidney (p <0.05). In contrast, mean nitric oxide synthase/beta-actin in the medulla of the obstructed kidney was 1.29 +/- 0.33 densitometry units, greater than the 0.34 +/- 0.03 densitometry units in the unobstructed kidney (p <0.05). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the increased expression of nitric oxide synthase protein was localized to the endothelium of the vasa recta. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral ureteral obstruction enhances nitric oxide synthase expression in the medulla but not in the cortex. This increased expression in the medulla may be the result of increased medullary hypoxia in unilateral ureteral obstruction, possibly contributing to medullary hyperemia after unilateral ureteral obstruction release.     

Down-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in rat with congenital hydronephrosis

BACKGROUND: Most of our knowledge concerning obstructive uropathy has been derived mainly from surgically manipulated animal models, and the pathogenesis of congenital obstructive hydronephrosis is not fully elucidated. Nitric oxide (NO) acts as an important biological modulator with diverse physiological functions, which can be either toxic or protective depending on the situation. NO is synthesized from l-arginine by nitric oxide synthase, and in the kidney iNOS is expressed spontaneously. The aim of our study is to investigate the expression of iNOS protein and its relationship with tubulointerstitial fibrosis and tubular cell apoptosis in congenital hydronephrosis. METHODS: We conducted histological studies on 18 kidneys of six-week-old-rats from an inbred colony of congenital hydronephrosis with reference to the histological grading of the affected kidney, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, renal tubular atrophy, and tubular cell apoptosis. Renal transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) level was determined by a sandwich ELISA assay and the expression of iNOS was analyzed by western blotting. RESULTS: Most of the hydronephrotic kidneys were markedly enlarged with dilatation of the collecting system, parenchymal thinning, tubular atrophy, interstitial infiltration and fibrosis. Renal TGF-beta1 level was higher in hydronephrotic kidneys than normal control kidneys (364.81 +/- 52.60 vs. 221.19 +/- 22.53 pg/mg protein, P < 0.05). Tubular apoptotic score in hydronephrotic kidneys was also significantly higher than in the normal control kidneys (1.97 +/- 0.42 vs. 0.14 +/- 0.02/HPF, P < 0.01). The expression of iNOS protein was lower in the affected kidneys compared with the normal control kidneys (8.79 +/- 0.78 vs. 14.00 +/- 0.83 arbitrary unit, P < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between iNOS expression and histological grading in congenital hydronephrosis. The iNOS expression also correlated negatively with renal interstitial fibrosis, TGF-beta1 level and tubular cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed the down-regulation of iNOS expression in affected kidneys from rats with congenital hydronephrosis, in which the cytoprotective effect of NO may be lost or weakened.     

脊髓神经元型一氧化氮合酶在大鼠神经病理性痛中的作用

目的 探讨脊髓神经元型一氧化氮合酶(nNOS)在大鼠神经病理性痛中的作用.方法 健康雄性SD大鼠40只,体重220～280 g,采用结扎坐骨神经干的方法建立坐骨神经慢性压迫性损伤(CCI)模型.随机分为4组(n=10),Ⅰ组及Ⅱ组暴露坐骨神经干,分别于术后1 d开始鞘内注射选择性nNOS抑制剂7-NI 60 μg[溶于20%二甲基亚砜(DMSO)]10μl)、20%DMSO 10μl,1次/d,连续6d;Ⅲ组及Ⅳ组制备CCI模型,分别于术后1 d开始鞘内注射7-NI 60μg(溶于20%DMSO 10μl)、20%DMSO 10 μl,1次/d,连续6 d.分别于CCI前1 d、CCI后1、3、5、7 d时测定大鼠机械痛阈和热痛阈.于CCI后7 d,各组分别取5只大鼠,取术侧L_(4～6)背根神经节,分别采用实时定量PCR和Western blot法测定nNOS mRNA及蛋白的表达水平.结果 与Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组比较,T_(1～4)时Ⅲ组和Ⅳ组术侧后肢机械痛阈和热痛阈降低(P＜0.05),背根神经节nNOS蛋白及mRNA的表达上调(P＜0.05);与Ⅲ组比较,T_(1～4)时Ⅳ组机械痛阈和热痛阈降低,背根神经节nNOS蛋白及mRNA的表达上调(P＜0.05).结论 脊髓nNOS参与了大鼠神经病理性痛的形成.     

神经型一氧化氮合酶在肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻中的表达及意义

目的研究神经型一氧化氮合酶(nNOS)在肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻(UPJO)中的表达及意义。方法病例组36例,均为非管腔外压迫所致的UPJO狭窄段标本,且镜下具有UPJO基本特征:管壁肌层平滑肌稀疏,肌束变细,其间纤维结缔组织堆积。对照组20例为肾肿瘤、肾盂输尿管连接部(UPJ)切缘无肿瘤细胞浸润的UPJ标本。采用免疫组化SABC法对2组UPJ组织进行nNOS染色,并用图像分析进行定量分析比较。结果nNOS主要表达于UPJ肌层平滑肌细胞胞质。UP-JO组与对照组肌层表达的平均吸光度A值分别为0.208±0.014和0.230±0.016,2组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论UPJO中nNOS表达减少,提示NO合成减少可能参与UPJO发病过程。     

The distribution of neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthase in urethral stricture formation

PURPOSE: The distribution of neuronal (n) and inducible (i) nitric oxide synthase (NOS) may have a role in the maintenance of normal urethral spongiosum and during the development of spongiofibrosis in urethral stricture disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight normal and 33 strictured human bulbar urethras were studied by histological and immunohistochemical techniques for the neuronal markers S-100, nNOS and iNOS. The smooth muscle-to-collagen ratio was calculated by morphometric analysis of Masson's trichrome sections. Immunohistochemical staining patterns of the neuronal markers in normal urethral tissue was compared to that in urethral stricture tissue with spongiofibrosis. RESULTS: The smooth muscle-to-collagen ratio was significantly lower in the strictured urethra compared to that in the control group (p = 0.001). In the strictured bulbar urethra nNOS immunoreactivity was decreased compared to that in normal urethral tissue. The severity of spongiofibrosis corresponded to the loss of nNOS immunoreactivity. iNOS immunoreactivity was found in strictured urethral epithelium and spongiosal tissue, whereas the control group was nonimmunoreactive to iNOS. CONCLUSIONS: Urethral stricture formation is a fibrotic process associated with significant changes in NOS metabolism. Abnormal collagen synthesis following urethral trauma may be stimulated by inappropriate iNOS activity. A functional nerve supply to the urethral spongiosum seems to be crucial in the maintenance of the unique ultrastructure of the urethral spongiosum.     

Histopathological changes and nitric oxide synthase activity in corpus cavernosum from rats with neurogenic erectile dysfunction

OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes in histology and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in cavernosal tissues from rats with neurogenic erectile dysfunction induced experimentally. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally into three groups and underwent a sham operation (control, group 1), unilateral (group 2) or bilateral (group 3) cavernosal nerve resection. Three months later they were killed and the cavernosal tissues analysed histologically by light and transmission electron microscopy, with NOS activity detected using an NADPH-diaphorase staining technique. RESULTS: On light and electron microscopy, while penile nerves and cavernosal smooth muscle cells had a normal morphological appearance in the eight control rats, there were degenerative changes of the myelinated penile nerves and axonal fibrosis in groups 2 and 3. However, these changes were not significant. Using NADPH-diaphorase staining, NOS activity was detected in all three groups in endothelial cells and cavernosal structures. However, the staining was more intense in endothelial cells and cavernosal muscles of rats in group 2 than in the other groups. CONCLUSION: NOS activity was increased in the cavernosal tissue after cavernosal denervation, but the pharmacological action of nitric oxide may be impaired.     

Expression of nitric oxide and inducible nitric oxide synthase in acute renal allograft rejection in the rat

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that nitric oxide (NO) synthases, particularly inducible nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS), are induced in acute rejection episodes following heart, liver, pancreas and kidney allotransplantation. Furthermore, tissue and cellular injury has been demonstrated to be mediated by peroxynitrite (ONOO-), a metabolite of NO as well as a potent oxidant. However, a detailed relationship between NO, i-NOS and graft injury in transplantation remains elusive. METHODS: The present study used the following models of renal transplantation in rats: allografts (n = 5, Brown-Norway to Lewis [LEW] rats), isografts (n = 5, LEW to LEW) and allografts treated with aminoguanidine (AG), an i-NOS inhibitor (n = 5). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr) and urinary and serum nitrosocompounds (NOx) were measured on days 2, 4 and 7 post-transplant. Western blot analysis of i-NOS protein expression and measurement of i-NOS activity were carried out in grafts harvested on Day 7, along with immunohistochemical and histopathological examinations. RESULTS: In the allograft group, both BUN and SCr levels increased markedly on Day 7, in parallel with a sharp increase in NOx. A band stained by anti-i-NOS antibody was detected at approximately 130 kDa, along with high levels of i-NOS activity and diffusely distributed i-NOS-positive cells (macrophages). Histologically, an acute rejection episode was confirmed (Grade 3 according to Banff classifications). In the AG group, reduced renal function and graft injury were significantly less severe than in the allograft group. CONCLUSIONS: In rat renal allograft acute rejection, markedly increased levels of serum NOx were observed, along with enhanced tissue i-NOS activity, together resulting in graft injury. AG administration suppressed the increase of serum NOx levels, with concomitant mitigation of tissue injury and renal function impairment.     

Inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase reduces the propofol requirements in wild-type and nNOS knockout mice

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The glutamate-nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway has been identified as a potential target for anaesthetic agents. However, mice deficient in neuronal nitric oxide synthase have a similar susceptibility to volatile anaesthetic agents to wild-type mice and are not affected by non-isoform selective inhibitors. We hypothesized that the neuronal nitric oxide synthase selective inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole, would also reduce the propofol requirements in wild-type mice but would have no effect in neuronal nitric oxide synthase knockout mice. METHODS: We determined the time to loss of righting reflex, time to painful stimulus and time to regaining the righting reflex in neuronal nitric oxide synthase knockout and wild-type mice following the intraperitoneal injection of propofol in untreated, 7-nitroindazole and vehicle only treated animals (n = 6 per group). Propofol (200 mg kg(-1)) resulted in loss of righting reflex in the untreated and vehicle only groups but was lethal in 7-nitroindazole pre-treated mice, requiring a reduced dose of propofol (100 mg kg(-1)). RESULTS: 7-nitroindazole pre-treatment significantly reduced the loss of righting reflex (P < 0.001) in both wild-type and knockout mice when compared to untreated and vehicle only pre-treated animals, but had no effect on time to painful stimulus or regaining of the righting reflex. 7-nitroindazole reduced the propofol requirements in knockout mice to the same extent as in wild-type animals. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol exerts its anaesthetic effects at least partially via the glutamate-nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway. The neuronal nitric oxide synthase knockout mice are sensitive to neuronal nitric oxide synthase selective inhibition suggesting that compensatory pathways in neuronal nitric oxide synthase knockout mice exist.     

Alterations in nNOS-containing nerve fibers in corpus cavernosum of spontaneous hypertension rats

Objective: To investigate the alterations in nNOS containing nerve fibers in corpus cavernosum of spontaneous hypertension rats (SHR). Methods: Twelve male SHR and 12 male WKY rats, both aged 6 weeks, were separately divided into 4- and 12-week observation groups at random. At the end of the observation period, the erectile function was assessed and the number of cavernosal nNOS containing nerve fibers determined. Results: Significant differences existed in the erection frequency and the number of nNOS containing nerve fibers between the SHR rats and the WKY controls (P< 0.01); there was also a significant difference in the numbers of nNOS containing nerve fibers between the SHR 4- and 12-week observation groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: The erectile function and the number of nNOS containing nerve fibers were significantly reduced in SHR rats. The decrease in nNOS containing nerve fibers may be one of the mechanisms underlying erectile dysfunction in hypertensive rats.     

Downregulation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the rat remnant kidney

Chronic renal failure is associated with disturbances in nitric oxide (NO) production. This study was conducted to determine the effect of 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx) on expression of intrarenal neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the rat. In normal rat kidney, nNOS protein was detected in the macula densa and in the cytoplasm and nuclei of cells of the inner medullary collecting duct by both immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Western blot analysis revealed that 2 wk after 5/6 Nx, there were significant decreases in nNOS protein expression in renal cortex (sham: 95.42+/-15.60 versus 5/6 Nx: 47.55+/-12.78 arbitrary units, P<0.05, n = 4) and inner medulla (sham: 147.70+/-26.96 versus 5/6 Nx: 36.95+/-17.24 arbitrary units, P<0.005, n = 8). Losartan treatment was used to determine the role of angiotensin II (AngII) AT1 receptors in the inhibition of nNOS expression in 5/6 Nx. Losartan had no effect on the decreased expression of nNOS in the inner medulla, but partially increased nNOS protein expression in the cortex of 5/6 Nx rats. In contrast, in sham rats losartan significantly inhibited nNOS protein expression in the cortex (0.66+/-0.04-fold of sham values, P<0.05, n = 6) and inner medulla (0.74+/-0.12-fold of sham values, P<0.05, n = 6). nNOS mRNA was significantly decreased in cortex and inner medulla from 5/6 Nx rats, and the effects of losartan on nNOS mRNA paralleled those observed on nNOS protein expression. These data indicate that 5/6 Nx downregulates intrarenal nNOS mRNA and protein expression. In normal rats, AngII AT1 receptors exert a tonic stimulatory effect on expression of intrarenal nNOS. These findings suggest that the reduction in intrarenal nNOS expression in 5/6 Nx may play a role in contributing to hypertension and altered tubular transport responses in chronic renal failure.