Expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the ischemic penumbra: relationship to expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and vascular endothelial growth factor

Expressional patterns of the endothelial and neuronal forms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in cerebral ischemia were studied utilizing a permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (PMCAO) model. Motor performance and infarct volumes were determined in the rats. Immunohistochemical staining for eNOS, nNOS and neurofilament were performed at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after PMCAO. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was determined by in-situ hybridization. PMCAO caused a reproducible cortical infarct with motor deficits in the rats. Double immunohistochemical stainings indicated that eNOS and nNOS were induced in ischemic neurons. Most stained neurons were positive for both NOS forms but some reacted with only one NOS antibody. nNOS expression peaked at 24-48 h after PMCAO, stained mainly the cytoplasm of core neurons, and disappeared after the 3rd day. eNOS expression increased until the 7th day, stained mainly the cytoplasm and membrane of penumbral cells and disappeared by the 14th day after PMCAO. VEGF expression was significantly induced in the penumbral zone in a similar distribution to eNOS. The anatomical and temporal pattern of VEGF and eNOS induction in the brain after permanent ischemia suggest that these mediators may play a role in protecting penumbral tissue from additional ischemic damage.     

Functional deterioration of endothelial nitric oxide synthase after focal cerebral ischemia

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) dysfunction is related to secondary injury and lesion expansion after cerebral ischemia. To date, there are few reports about postischemic alterations in the eNOS regulatory system. The purpose of the present study was to clarify eNOS expression, Ser1177 phosphorylation, and monomer formation after cerebral ischemia. Male Wistar rats were subjected to transient focal cerebral ischemia. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression increased ∼8-fold in the ischemic lesion. In the middle cerebral artery core, eNOS-Ser1177 phosphorylation increased 6 hours after ischemia; however, there was an approximately 90% decrease in eNOS-Ser1177 phosphorylation observed 24 hours after ischemia that continued until at least 7 days after ischemia. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase monomer formation also increased 24 and 48 hours after ischemia (P<0.05), and protein nitration progressed in parallel with monomerization. To assess the effect of a neuroprotective agent on eNOS dysfunction, we evaluated the effect of fasudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, on eNOS phosphorylation and dimerization. Postischemic treatment with fasudil suppressed lesion expansion and dephosphorylation and monomer formation of eNOS. In conclusion, functional deterioration of eNOS progressed after cerebral ischemia. Rho-kinase inhibitors can reduce ischemic lesion expansion as well as eNOS dysfunction in the ischemic brain.     

Change in endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the rat retina following transient ischemia

Patterns of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression in retinal ischemia were studied utilizing a transient high intraocular pressure (HIOP) model. We investigated neuronal cell damage and changes in eNOS immunoreactive expression in the ischemic retina, and its relationship to the neuroprotection of betaxolol treatment after ischemic injury. Immunohistochemical staining for eNOS was performed at 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after ischemia/reperfusion. In controls, eNOS immunoreactivity was detected in retinal vessels, but was not detected in neurons. After ischemia/reperfusion, the intensity of eNOS immunoreactivity increased in both retinal vessels and the ganglion cell layer (GCL) compared with controls. eNOS-positive neurons were induced first in the inner nuclear layer (INL) 7 days after reperfusion. However, when experiments were carried out on animals that had been treated with betaxolol after ischemia/reperfusion, the intensity of eNOS immunoreactivity decreased compared to the untreated ischemic retinas. These results suggest that an increase in eNOS expression could be associated with the degenerative changes in the ischemic retina, and that betaxolol treatment appears to protect retinal tissue from ischemic damage.     

血管紧张素-(1-7)对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤的神经保护作用

目的 探讨血管紧张素-(1-7)[Ang-(1-7)]对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用.方法 对Sprague-Dawley(SD)大鼠制备大脑中动脉梗死(MCAO)模型和假手术模型,并于再灌注24 h和48 h以微型渗透泵从侧脑室给予Ang-(1-7)(100 pmol,0.5 μL/h)或人工脑脊液(aCSF)(0.5 μL/h),由此分组为假手术组(假手术+aCSF)、Ang-(1-7)治疗组[MCAO+Ang-(1-7)]和aCSF治疗组(MCAO+aCSF).检测实验大鼠神经功能评分、再灌注48 h后脑水肿以及再灌注24 h后脑梗死体积,并以试剂盒测定再灌注24 h和48 h后缺血脑组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量,以原位末端标记法(TUNEL)检测再灌注48 h后脑梗死灶周围组织神经细胞凋亡数.结果 Ang-(1-7)治疗MCAO模型大鼠,能显著改善神经功能评分(P<0.05)、缩小脑梗死体积(P<0.05)、降低组织MDA含量(P<0.05)、提高组织SOD活性(P<0.01),并明显减少脑梗死灶周围组织神经细胞凋亡数(P<0.01),但对脑组织含水量无明显影响作用.结论 Ang-(1-7)可能通过抗氧化应急反应、减轻神经细胞凋亡程度等实现治疗缺血再灌注损伤、神经保护作用.     

局灶性鼠脑缺血时一氧化氮及一氧化氮合酶抑制剂的作用机制

目的研究一氧化氮在鼠脑局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤中的作用。方法用线栓法建立大鼠大脑中动脉区缺血再灌注模型，分别用选择性和非选择性诱导型一氧化氮合酶抑制剂对鼠脑局灶性缺血再灌注过程中脑组织一氧化氮的变化规律及可能作用进行探讨。结果非选择性一氧化氮合酶抑制剂（Ｌ－ＮＡＭＥ）可加重局灶性脑缺血性损害，而选择性诱导型一氧化氮合酶抑制剂（ａｍｉｎｏｇｕａｎｉｄｉｎｅ，ＡＧ）具有明确的脑保护作用。结论不同类型的一氧化氮合酶所产生的一氧化氮在脑局灶性缺血性损害中具有不同的作用。     

一氧化氮合酶在脑缺血再灌注中的双重作用

目的 探讨短暂脑缺血再灌注后大鼠脑内3型一氧化氮合酶(nitric oxide synthase，NOS)的表达及作用，为脑缺血治疗提供理论依据。方法 采用免疫组织化学方法，用3型NOS的多克隆抗体检测大鼠局灶性脑缺血2h再灌注15min及22h NOS在脑内的表达情况。结果 大鼠脑缺血2h再灌注15min，在脑缺血边缘区的血管壁及神经细胞出现内皮型一氧化氮合酶(endothelial nitric oxide synthase，eNOS)上调表达；脑缺血2h再灌注22h，在脑梗死区内表达神经元型一氧化氮合酶(neuronal mitric oxide synthase，nNOS)的神经细胞减少，并出现表达诱导型一氧化氮合酶(inducible nitric oxide synthase，iNOS)的胶质细胞，同时梗死边缘区血管及神经细胞出现eNOS及iNOS的上调表达。结论 在短暂脑缺血再灌注早期，缺血区周围可能有eNOS相关的保护机制；亚急性期eNOS及iNOS的保护及损伤机制并存；因此，在短暂脑缺血早期恢复灌注后予选择性iNOS抑制剂及促进eNOS活性有可能减少迟发性神经损伤。     

Constitutive nitric oxide synthases are responsible for the nitric oxide production in the ischemic aged cerebral cortex

Aged brain shows reduced biological plasticity to meet emergency conditions such as ischemia, a process in which nitric oxide (NO) and apoptosis have been shown to play important roles. Using a model of transient global ischemia, we have analyzed the NO system and the p53, bax and bcl-2 response in the cerebral cortex of aged rats. Although immediately after ischemia the NO level is maintained, the reperfusion period increases NO concentrations together with the following: (i) greater bulk-protein nitration mainly due to a 50-kDa immunoreactive band; (ii) an increase in p53 protein; and (iii) an up-regulation of Bax together with a down-regulation of Bcl-2. These results match up with induced endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression immediately after ischemia and in neuronal nitric oxide synthase with the reperfusion. However, inducible nitric oxide synthase was not altered with ischemia/reperfusion. Altogether, these data suggest that NO production in cerebral cortex of aged ischemic animals is due to the constitutive NO synthase isoforms. This response is accompanied by the increased expression of pro-apoptotic proteins.     

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase inhibition triggers inflammatory responses in the brain of male rats exposed to ischemia‐reperfusion injury

Nitric oxide (NO) derived from endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) plays a role in preserving and maintaining the brain's microcirculation, inhibiting platelet aggregation, leukocyte adhesion, and migration. Inhibition of eNOS activity results in exacerbation of neuronal injury after ischemia by triggering diverse cellular mechanisms, including inflammatory responses. To examine the relative contribution of eNOS in stroke‐induced neuroinflammation, we analyzed the effects of systemic treatment with l‐N‐(1‐iminoethyl)ornithine (L‐NIO), a relatively selective eNOS inhibitor, on the expression of MiR‐155‐5p, a key mediator of innate immunity regulation and endothelial dysfunction, in the cortex of male rats subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAo) followed by 24 hr of reperfusion. Inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) mRNA expression were evaluated by real‐time polymerase chain reaction in cortical homogenates and in resident and infiltrating immune cells isolated from ischemic cortex. These latter cells were also analyzed for their expression of CD40, a marker of M1 polarization of microglia/macrophages.tMCAo produced a significant elevation of miR155‐5p and iNOS expression in the ischemic cortex as compared with sham surgery. eNOS inhibition by L‐NIO treatment further elevated the cortical expression of these inflammatory mediators, while not affecting IL‐10 mRNA levels. Interestingly, modulation of iNOS occurred in resident and infiltrating immune cells of the ischemic hemisphere. Accordingly, L‐NIO induced a significant increase in the percentage of CD40⁺ events in CD68⁺ microglia/macrophages of the ischemic cortex as compared with vehicle‐injected animals. These findings demonstrate that inflammatory responses may underlie the detrimental effects due to pharmacological inhibition of eNOS in cerebral ischemia.     

Up-regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway contributes to ischemic tolerance in the CA1 subfield of gerbil hippocampus.

We here investigated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression after 10 minutes of forebrain ischemia. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunoblots and immunohistochemical studies revealed up-regulation of eNOS expression in the hippocampal CA1 subfield of gerbil. Immunoreactivity of eNOS significantly increased in endothelium but neither in neurons nor astrocytes after 6 to 168 hours of reperfusion. An increased Akt activity preceded the postischemic eNOS up-regulation. Intracerebroventricular injection (i.c.v.) of wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K), significantly inhibited the increases in both eNOS mRNA and its protein with concomitant inhibition of Akt activation. The significant increase in the eNOS expression was also evident following preconditioning 2-minute ischemia. Both eNOS up-regulation and acquisition of ischemic tolerance observed at 3 days after preconditioning ischemia were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with wortmannin. Administration (i.c.v.) of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, but not 7-nitroindazole, 30 minutes prior to lethal 10-minute ischemia, significantly abolished the acquired tolerance. Intraperitoneal injections of aminoguanidine at immediately after, 24, and 48 hours after preconditioning had no effects on the tolerance. These results suggest that eNOS expression is up-regulated in the endothelium via PI-3K pathways after transient forebrain ischemia, and that preconditioning-induced eNOS expression plays an important role in neuroprotection in the ischemic tolerance.     

Modulation by nitric oxide of cerebral neutrophil accumulation after transient focal ischemia in rats.

A beneficial role of nitric oxide (NO) after cerebral ischemia has been previously attributed to its vascular effects. Recent data indicate a regulatory role for NO in initial leukocyte-endothelial interactions in the cerebral microcirculation under basal and ischemic conditions. In this study, the authors tested the hypothesis that endogenous NO production during and/or after transient focal cerebral ischemia can also be neuroprotective by limiting the process of neutrophil infiltration and its deleterious consequences. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 2 hours occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery and the left common carotid artery. The effect of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), an NO synthase inhibitor, was examined at 48 hours after ischemia on both infarct size and myeloperoxidase activity, an index of neutrophil infiltration. L-NAME given 5 minutes after the onset of ischemia increased the cortical infarct volume by 34% and increased cortical myeloperoxidase activity by 60%, whereas administration of L-NAME at 1, 7, and 22 hours of reperfusion had no effect. Such exacerbations of infarction and myeloperoxidase activity produced when L-NAME was given 5 minutes after the onset of ischemia were not observed in rats rendered neutropenic by vinblastine. These results suggest that after transient focal ischemia, early NO production exerts a neuroprotective effect by modulating neutrophil infiltration.     

Ethanol increases endothelial nitric oxide production through modulation of nitric oxide synthase expression

Moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to reduce the risk of ischemic heart disease potentially through its effect on specific endothelial-derived compounds. We tested the hypothesis that ethanol increases the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) production in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). Primary cultures of BAEC grown to confluence under standard conditions were treated 3-6 h with 0.1% ethanol in the presence of indomethacin. Ethanol induced a significant increase in both basal and stimulated NO production as determined by chemiluminescence method. This effect was accompanied by a rapid increase of eNOS protein and mRNA expression levels. eNOS mRNA increased two-fold within 3 h and gradually declined, but the increased levels of mRNA persisted for >24 h. A similar increase of eNOS expression was observed in human umbilical endothelial cells exposed to ethanol. These results demonstrate that ethanol augments both basal and stimulated NO production and that this effect is associated with increased eNOS protein and mRNA expression levels. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that the reduced incidence of ischemic heart disease associated with alcohol may be related, at least in part, to the modulation of vascular endothelial cell production of NO.     

大鼠脑缺血再灌流脑区一氧化氮变化的研究

目的研究大鼠脑缺血及再灌流后脑部一氧化氮的变化。方法采用荧光法和放射免疫法测定４个脑区一氧化氮（ＮＯ）代谢产物ＮＯ２和环磷酸鸟苷（ｃＧＭＰ）。结果脑缺血１０ｍｉｎ,各脑区ＮＯ２和ｃＧＭＰ含量明显增高;脑缺血３０ｍｉｎ,各脑区ＮＯ２和ｃＧＭＰ含量开始下降。缺血１０ｍｉｎ再灌流１５ｍｉｎ以及缺血３０ｍｉｎ再灌流１５ｍｉｎ,各脑区ＮＯ２和ｃＧＭＰ含量再次增加,与单纯脑缺血组相比,有显著差异性（Ｐ＜０．０５或Ｐ＜０．０１）。结论ＮＯ参与了脑缺血再灌流的损伤过程     

依达拉奉预处理对小鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤后皮质一氧化氮合酶表达的影响

目的探讨依达拉奉预处理对小鼠脑缺血再灌注(IR)损伤后皮质一氧化氮合酶(NOS)表达的影响。方法 48只健康ICR小鼠被分为假手术组、对照组和依达拉奉组。依达拉奉组和对照组分别给予依达拉奉3 mg/(kg.d)和同等体积的生理盐水腹腔注射共7 d,然后建立小鼠IR模型;缺血1 h、再灌注24 h时应用2,3,5-氯化三苯基四氮唑(TTC)染色法测量各组脑梗死体积,应用免疫组化法检测各组小鼠皮质神经元型、、诱导型和内皮型NOS(nNOS、iNOS、eNOS)阳性细胞数。结果与假手术组比较,对照组小鼠皮质nNOS、iNOS和eNOS阳性细胞数明显增多(均P<0.05);与对照组比较,依达拉奉组脑梗死体积明显缩小,皮质nNOS和iNOS阳性细胞数明显减少,eNOS阳性细胞数明显增多(均P<0.05)。结论依达拉奉预处理可以影响IR小鼠皮质nNOS、iNOS和eNOS的表达,发挥神经保护作用。     

Expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms and nitrotyrosine formation after hypoxia-ischemia in the neonatal rat brain

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Production of nitric oxide is thought to play an important role in neuroinflammation. Previously, we have shown that combined inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) can reduce hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain injury in 12-day-old rats. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in expression of nNOS, iNOS and endothelial NOS (eNOS), and nitrotyrosine (NT) formation in proteins in neonatal rats up to 48 h after cerebral hypoxia-ischemia. METHODS: Twelve-day-old rats were subjected to unilateral carotid artery occlusion and hypoxia, resulting in unilateral cerebral damage. NOS and nitrotyrosine expression were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis at 30 min-48 h after hypoxia-ischemia. RESULTS: nNOS was increased in both hemispheres from 30 min to 3 h after hypoxia-ischemia. In the contralateral hemisphere, eNOS was decreased 1-3 h after hypoxia-ischemia. In the ipsilateral hemisphere, eNOS was decreased at 0.5 h after hypoxia-ischemia, normalized at 1-3 h and was increased 6-12 h after hypoxia-ischemia. At 24 and 48 h after hypoxia-ischemia, eNOS levels normalized. Surprisingly, iNOS expression did not change from 30 min up to 48 h after hypoxia-ischemia in the ipsi- or contralateral hemisphere. In addition, the regional expression of iNOS in the brain as determined by immunohistochemistry did not change after hypoxia-ischemia. Expression of nitrotyrosine was slightly increased in both hemispheres only at 30 min after hypoxia-ischemia. CONCLUSION: In 12-day-old rat pups, cerebral hypoxia-ischemia induced a transient increase in nNOS, eNOS, and nitrotyrosine in proteins, but no change in iNOS expression up to 48 h after the insult.     

一氧化氮供体及前体对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤保护机制的探讨

目的 观察介入给药一氧化氮（NO）供体硝酸甘油（Nitroglycerine，NG）及前体L-精氨酸（L-Arginine，ARG）对大鼠脑缺血再灌注后海马区星形胶质细胞表达的胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）的影响，探讨NG及ARG的脑保护机制。方法 采用大鼠大脑中动脉阻塞（MCAO）法建立局灶性脑缺血模型。将大鼠随机分为假手术组、MCAO组、NG组和ARG组。MCAO组、NG组和ARG组于缺血2 h再灌注同时分别局部介入给予生理盐水、NG和ARG，于再灌注3 h或24 h时，荧光法检测血清NO含量。并在3 h或24 h时处死大鼠，病理分析脑梗死体积以及免疫组织化学法检测海马区GFAP表达情况。结果 缺血再灌注后3 h血清NO升高（P <0.01），治疗组较MCAO组明显（P <0.01），GFAP表达阳性细胞数增加，但治疗组较MCAO组减少（P <0.01），各组大鼠脑组织未出现肉眼可见梗死灶；缺血再灌注后24 h，血清NO治疗组较3 h降低，而MCAO组较3 h升高（P <0.05），GFAP表达阳性细胞数较3 h增加（P <0.01），治疗组较MCAO组减少（P <0.01），TTC染色显示脑梗死体积治疗组较MCAO组减小（P <0.05）。结论 脑缺血再灌注后海马区脑组织GFAP表达增强，通过局部介入给予NG、ARG增加NO合成，抑制GFAP高表达，减小脑梗死体积。提示NG、ARG抗脑缺血性损伤的保护机制可能与抑制星形胶质细胞过度表达有关。     

Transient ischemia increases neuronal nitric oxide synthase, argininosuccinate synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase co-expression in rat striatal neurons

In neurodegenerative diseases, an increased number of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-positive neurons was reported, but nothing is known on which are the neurons induced to express nNOS. Argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS), argininosuccinate lyase (ASL) and nNOS act in the L-arginine-NO-L-citrulline cycle permitting a correct NO production. In the brain, nNOS-positive neurons co-expressing ASS were known, while those co-expressing ASL were not demonstrated. We investigated by immunohistochemistry the presence of these types of neurons in the rat striatum to verify whether there was a correlation between their changes due to neurotoxic insults and animal survival. Transient ischemia, a neurodegenerative insult model, was induced in rat brain by 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion. The striatum, the core of ischemia, was examined at 24, 72 and 144 h after reperfusion and compared with that of rats in normal condition. ASS, ASL and nNOS-positive neurons, some of the latter also expressing ASS and ASL, were present both in normal and ischemic conditions. At 24 h after reperfusion, the number of the nNOS-positive neurons and the percentage of those co-expressing ASS and ASL were significantly increased in the animals with a longer survival and at 144 h after ischemia there was an almost complete restore of the number and/or percentage of these neurons. We hypothesize that the neurons induced to express nNOS were the ASS- and ASL-positive ones and that the neurons co-expressing nNOS, ASS and ASL, since having the enzymes necessary to maintain a correct NO production, might protect from neurotoxic insults.