Immunohistochemical localization of nNOS in the skin and nerve fibers of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris L. (Annelida Oligochaeta)

The epidermis of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris is a multifunctional tissue. It is composed of supporting, mucous, neuroendocrine-like, sensory and basal cells. NO is considered to be a molecule that regulates numerous functional activities (also in non-neuronal cells) in vertebrates. In the earthworm epidermis, we found neuronal NO synthase immunopositivity in orthochromatic and metachromatic mucous cells, neuroendocrine-like cells and in epidermal and subepidermal nerve fibers and striated muscle fibers. It is suggested that NO has a multitude of biological actions, affecting functional activities of the epidermis such as tissue homeostasis, control of secretion, proliferation, respiration, defense, water-salt balance, as well as regulation of tonus in vascular and striated muscles.     

局灶性脑缺血大鼠皮质和尾壳核神经干细胞增殖分化与nNOS的表达

本研究旨在探讨局灶性脑缺血再灌注大鼠皮质和尾壳核神经干细胞的增殖分化与nNOS表达的关系。大脑中动脉线栓法制作大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注模型,5溴脱氧尿核苷(BrdU)标记分裂增殖细胞,免疫组化单标和双标记技术检测各组大鼠缺血侧皮质和尾壳核BrdU阳性细胞和nNOS的表达。模型组大鼠皮质和尾壳核BrdU阳性细胞再灌注后3d开始增多,14d达高峰,nNOS阳性细胞再灌注后7d表达增强,28d达高峰,BrdU/nNOS双标细胞在14d达高峰,占皮质BrdU阳性细胞数的42.95%,尾壳核内占42.56%。新生细胞分化组BrdU阳性细胞和BrdU/nNOS双标细胞显著多于模型组(P<0.05),皮质双标细胞占BrdU阳性细胞数的54.08%,尾壳核内占47.84%。提示局灶性脑缺血可增强大鼠皮质和尾壳核的增殖能力,部分增殖细胞分化为nNOS阳性神经元,参与神经网络的重建。     

Choline acetyltransferase is found in terminals of horizontal cells that label with GABA, nitric oxide synthase and calcium binding proteins in the turtle retina

In this study, we discriminated the various types of horizontal cell in the turtle retina on their content of neuroactive substances. Double label immunocytochemistry was performed on sectioned and wholemount retina using antisera to neural- and endothelial-nitric oxide synthase (nNOS, and eNOS), calretinin (CR), calbindin (CB), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). H1 cells and their axon terminals label with CR, CB and GABA. Only H1 axon terminals label with eNOS. H2 cells contain CB, CR, nNOS and GABA maybe in their dendrites. H3 cells label only with nNOS. The localization of nNOS in the H2 and H3 cells is a novel finding. None of these antibodies labels H4 cells. The photoreceptor subtypes have been differentiated by different intensity of labeling with CB. The accessory member of the double cone is less intensely labeled with CB than the principal member and rods and blue cones do not appear to label at all. ChAT-IR is located in terminal boutons of H1 and H2 horizontal cells and H1 axon terminals and these boutons contact rods and all spectral types of cones. Clearly, GABA is present in H1 horizontal cells and may be used in neurotransmission between horizontal cells and possibly for feedback pathways to photoreceptors. The evidence of nNOS immunoreactivity in H2 and H3 horizontal cells, combined with available physiological evidence, suggests that NO may be involved in electrical coupling and/or modulation of synaptic input to these types of cells. Furthermore, our results raise the possibility that cholinergic synaptic transmission may occur from horizontal cell processes to photoreceptors in the outer plexiform layer of the turtle retina.     

先天性巨结肠与巨结肠同源病的nNOS免疫组织化学研究

为了观察nNOS在先天性巨结肠和巨结肠同源病不同肠段中的表达与分布,并进一步研究两种疾病的关系,本研究应用免疫组化SP法对15例先天性巨结肠及11例巨结肠同源病肠组织神经型一氧化氮合酶(nNOS)的表达进行了研究,并用10例正常结肠组织作对照。结果表明nNOS在先天性巨结肠、巨结肠同源病的扩张段及对照组均呈阳性反应(P>0.05);在先天性巨结肠狭窄段大多数表现为阴性反应,极少出现阳性反应;巨结肠同源病狭窄段可见为数不多的nNOS阳性细胞,且偶见含较多阳性细胞的巨大神经丛。先天性巨结肠狭窄段内的阳性反应,分别与巨结肠同源病狭窄段和对照组比较均有统计学意义(P<0.001)。上述结果说明nNOS的表达在先天性巨结肠和巨结肠同源病中的表达有差异,提示先天性巨结肠和巨结肠同源病的发病原因可能不同。     

生长激素对大鼠海绵体神经移植后再生的影响

目的:研究腓肠神经移植替代损伤的双侧海绵体神经(CN)后,生长激素(GH)对大鼠勃起功能恢复的影响。方法:24只雄性SD大鼠(3~4个月,300~400 g)随机均分为2组:神经移植组(腓肠神经移植替代损伤的双侧CN);GH组(神经移植后皮下注射GH)。2个月及4个月后,CN电刺激检测大鼠阴茎勃起功能,免疫组化SP法检测阴茎海绵体内神经元型一氧化氮合酶(nNOS)神经纤维并图像分析计算阳性像素值。结果:2个月后GH组有31.25%CN对电刺激有勃起反应,较神经移植组0%差异有显著性(P<0.05),nNOS阳性神经纤维的像素值在GH组为38 971±7 692,而神经移植组为16 538±3 179,差异同样具有显著性(P<0.05);而4个月后GH组有75%的CN对电刺激有勃起反应,神经移植组43.75%的CN有反应,差异无显著性(P>0.05);nNOS阳性神经纤维的像素值分别为91 348±18 965,79 276±12 021,差异亦无显著性(P>0.05)。结论:GH能促进CN移植后的再生,有利于盆腔根治性手术后勃起功能的恢复。     

Tat-LK15运载siRNA沉默RGC-5神经细胞nNOS基因的实验研究

目的探讨离体条件下细胞穿透肽Tat-LK15运载小干扰RNA(small interference RNA,siRNA)沉默RGC-5视神经节细胞(retinal ganglion cell line,RGC-5)神经元型一氧化氮合酶(neuronal nitric oxide synthase,n NOS)基因的可行性,为在体条件下研究Tat-LK15运载siRNA沉默n NOS表达治疗神经病理性疼痛提供理论依据。方法 1通过凝胶阻滞分析测定Tat-LK15与siRNA的最佳交联比。流式细胞术检测Tat-LK15/FAM-siRNA以最佳交联比转染RGC-5细胞的转染效率;不同剂量Tat-LK15(1、2.5、5、10和20μg)孵育RGC-5细胞24 h,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率。2制备n NOS高表达的RGC-5细胞模型。3将RGC-5细胞随机分为5组:对照组、模型组、Tat-S组(Tat-LK15运载n NOS/siRNA转染模型细胞)、Lipo-S组(LipofectamineTMRNAi MAX运载n NOS/siRNA转染模型细胞)及Tat-N组(Tat-LK15运载NCsiRNA转染模型细胞),通过Q-PCR及Western blot检测各组nN OS表达水平。结果 Tat-LK15与siRNA质量比为2∶1时可完全包裹siRNA,达到最佳交联,此时其转染效率为(84.4±3.9)%。当Tat-LK15剂量为20μg(6.1μmol·L-1)时才出现一定细胞毒性,细胞凋亡率高于对照组[(10.3±1.1)%vs(7.4±0.9)%,P<0.05]。造模后RGC-5细胞nN OS表达水平明显升高(P<0.05)。与模型组相比,Tat-S组nN OS mRNA及蛋白表达水平降低(P<0.05),Tat-S组与Lipo-S组相比无差异(P>0.05)。结论Tat-LK15能高效转染siRNA,细胞毒性低,离体条件下可有效运载siRNA沉默nN OS的基因表达。     

老年小鼠突触可塑性和记忆功能变化与nNOS表达的关系

目的 对老年小鼠突触可塑性和记忆能力变化与海马nNOS表达变化之间的关系进行探讨.方法 2月龄(青年)和16月龄(老年)昆明小鼠分别用Y型迷宫测试自发交替和活动能力,离体脑片细胞外观测海马长时程增强(LTP)的变化,免疫组化检测海马nNOS阳性细胞表达的变化.结果 老年小鼠的自发交替的百分率和活动能力较青年小鼠明显下降(P＜0.01),离体海马脑片LTP诱发成功率和群峰电位振幅增大率明显下降(P＜0.01),海马CA1区、齿状回的nNOS阳性细胞的染色强度减弱(P＜0.01).结论 小鼠在衰老过程中会伴有突触可塑性和记忆功能降低,其病理机制和nNOS神经元丧失有关.     

铝中毒AD模型鼠海马神经元nNOS的表达

目的 探讨铝中毒对小鼠学习记忆功能及海马nNOS表达的影响。方法 采用口服氯化铝方法建立小鼠AD模型，用跳台试验和避暗试验检测小鼠的学习记忆行为，并用免疫组化ABC法检测小鼠海马CA2～3区nNOS表达的变化。结果 口服氯化铝高剂量组及低剂量组小鼠均表现为跳台和避暗试验错误次数增多，nNOS表达下降．结论 铝中毒可导致小鼠学习记忆能力下降，其原因可能与nNOS表达下降有关．     

Repeated Baclofen treatment ameliorates motor dysfunction,suppresses reflex activity and decreases the expression of signaling proteins in reticular nuclei and lumbar motoneurons after spinal trauma in rats

The interruption of supraspinal input to the spinal cord leads to motor dysfunction and the development of spasticity. Clinical studies have shown that Baclofen (a GABA_B agonist), while effective in modulating spasticity is associated with side-effects and the development of tolerance. The aim of the present study was to assess if discontinued Baclofen treatment and its repeated application leads antispasticity effects, and whether such changes affect neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the brainstem, nNOS and parvalbumin (PV) in lumbar α-motoneurons and glial fibrillary acidic protein in the ventral horn of the spinal cord. Adult male Wistar rats were exposed to Th9 spinal cord transection. Baclofen (30 mg/b.w.) diluted in drinking water, was administered for 6 days, starting at week 1 after injury and then repeated till week 4 after injury. The behavior of the animals was tested (tail-flick test, BBB locomotor score) from 1 to 8 weeks. Our results clearly indicate the role of nitric oxide, produced by nNOS in the initiation and the maintenance of spasticity states 1, 6 and 8 weeks after spinal trauma. A considerable decrease of nNOS staining after Baclofen treatment correlates with improvement of motor dysfunction. The findings also show that parvalbumin and astrocytes participate in the regulation of ion concentrations in the sub-acute phase after the injury.     

nNOS expression in the brain of rats after burn and the effect of the ACE inhibitor captopril

Objective

To investigate the role of endogenous neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) on brain injury after burn and the effects of the captopril.

Methods

Wistar albino rats (200–250 g) were exposed on the dorsal surface to 90 °C (burn) or 25 °C (sham) water for 10 s. The ACE group was treated with intraperitoneal 10 mg/kg captopril immediately after burn and this treatment was repeated twice daily. At the end of the 24 h brain samples were taken. nNOS was studied in brain areas by immunohistochemistry.

Results

There was no difference between the cerebellar and hypothalamic areas the nNOS expression of all groups. nNOS expression increased in the frontal cortex, striatum and midbrain in the burn group compared to the control group. In the frontal cortex, nNOS expression significantly decreased after ACE inhibitor treatment (p < 0.05). The striatal nNOS of the ACE group significantly increased when compared to the control group (p = 0.001). In the midbrain of the animals, nNOS decreased in the ACE group. Hippocampal nNOS expression did not change after burn and significantly increased after ACE inhibitor therapy (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our data showed that the pathophysiological events following burn appear to be related to an acute inflammatory reaction which is associated with nNOS in the frontal cortex, striatum and midbrain, and captopril treatment abrogates the nNOS response in the frontal cortex and midbrain.