Rat tooth pulp cells elicit neurite growth from trigeminal neurones and express mRNAs for neurotrophic factors in vitro

Extracellular concentration of nitrite (NO2-), an oxidized product of nitric oxide (NO), was measured consecutively in the dorsal region of the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) by means of in vivo microdialysis. The NO2- concentrations in the dialysates showed robust circadian rhythm under a 12:12 h light/dark cycle and were higher during the dark phase than during the light phase. When the rats were transferred to constant darkness, the 24 h rhythm of NO2- persisted without damping the amplitude. The NO2- level was significantly lowered by an injection of NO synthase inhibitor (NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, 10 mg/kg i.p.). These findings indicate that the daily fluctuation of NO2- in the dorsal region of the SCN, which represents endogenous rhythm of NO, is regulated independently of photic inputs into the SCN and may be related to the circadian clock functions.