Rapid expression of neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthases during post-ischemic reperfusion in rat brain

Mary L. Holtz, Susan D. Craddock, L. Creed Pettigrew

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthase (nNOS and iNOS) isoforms are expressed within cortical neurons during early reperfusion after focal cerebral ischemia. Methods: Male spontaneously hypertensive rats underwent occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery for 2 h. Coronal brain sections with normal and ischemic cortex were obtained after 15 min or 1, 6 or 24 h of reperfusion. Immunohistochemical and double-label immunofluorescent techniques were used to confirm cellular identity and localize nNOS and iNOS. Results: Immunoreactive nNOS was identified within isolated neurons in layer V of normal cortex. However, the number of nNOS-immunoreactive neurons in ischemic cortex rose markedly at 15 min and persisted for 24 h (P≤0.001 at each time point when compared to normal cortex). Cells that were immunoreactive for nNOS appeared in perivascular clusters within ischemic brain at all sampling times. Immunoreactive iNOS was also expressed within neurons in ischemic cortex, peaking after 15 min of reperfusion (P≤0.01). Although nNOS-immunoreactive neurons were observed in random numbers within normal tissue throughout reperfusion, iNOS-immunoreactive neurons increased steadily in the same region (P≤0.05). Conclusions: Ischemic neurons become immunoreactive for both nNOS and iNOS during early reperfusion. Expression of iNOS immunoreactivity in unaffected neurons may reflect transcription of immediate early genes in response to stimulatory neurotransmission from ischemic cortex.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)49-60
Number of pages12
JournalBrain Research
Volume898
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 13 2001

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors thank Steven Estus, Ph.D., for technical advice on the double-labeled immunofluorescence studies. Richard Kryscio, Ph.D., performed statistical analysis of the data. Mark S. Kindy, Ph.D., reviewed this work in draft form. Sherry C. Williams, E.L.S., provided editorial assistance for completion of the manuscript. This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Training Grant AG00242 (M.L.H.).

Funding

The authors thank Steven Estus, Ph.D., for technical advice on the double-labeled immunofluorescence studies. Richard Kryscio, Ph.D., performed statistical analysis of the data. Mark S. Kindy, Ph.D., reviewed this work in draft form. Sherry C. Williams, E.L.S., provided editorial assistance for completion of the manuscript. This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Training Grant AG00242 (M.L.H.).

FundersFunder number
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Institute on AgingZIAAG000242

    Keywords

    • Cerebral ischemia
    • Nitric oxide synthase
    • Rat

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Neuroscience
    • Molecular Biology
    • Clinical Neurology
    • Developmental Biology

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