Metformin promotes angiogenesis and functional recovery in aged mice after spinal cord injury by adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway

Treatment with metformin can lead to the recovery of pleiotropic biological activities after spinal cord injury.However,its effect on spinal cord injury in aged mice remains unclear.Considering the essential role of angiogenesis during the regeneration process,we hypothesized that metformin activates the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway in endothelial cells,thereby promoting microvascular regeneration in aged mice after spinal cord injury.In this study,we established young and aged mouse models of contusive spinal cord injury using a modified Allen method.We found that aging hindered the recovery of neurological function and the formation of blood vessels in the spinal cord.Treatment with metformin promoted spinal cord microvascular endothelial cell migration and blood vessel formation in vitro.Furthermore,intraperitoneal injection of metformin in an in vivo model promoted endothelial cell proliferation and increased the density of new blood vessels in the spinal cord,thereby improving neurological function.The role of metformin was reversed by compound C,an adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase inhibitor,both in vivo and in vitro,suggesting that the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway likely regulates metformin-mediated angiogenesis after spinal cord injury.These findings suggest that metformin promotes vascular regeneration in the injured spinal cord by activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway,thereby improving the neurological function of aged mice after spinal cord injury.

Identification and Pathogen Stimulation Patterns of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase(nNOS)in Black Rockfish(Sebastes schlegelii)

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS)was the producer of nitric oxide(NO)which played important gas messenger molecules in biological process.It also can take effect as immune regulation molecule in organism.Black rockfish(Sebastes schlegelii)is an important economic fish which were widely farmed in East Asia countries.Meanwhile,the pathogenic bacteria such as the Edwardsiella tarda and Vibrio anguillarum in seawater always brought serious obstacles to their healthy growth.In order to explore the expression pattern of n NOS gene under the pathogen stimulation and predict its immune function,the n NOS gene in black rockfish named Ssn NOS was identified.It was 3780 bp in length,located on chromosome 6,and contained 27 coding domain sequence(CDs).According to the phylogenetic analysis,the Ssn NOS showed closest relative to the counterpart gene of swamp eel(Monopterus albus).Meanwhile,analysis of Ssn NOS expression in various healthy tissues showed that Ssn NOS expression level was highest in healthy brain tissues,followed by intestinal tissues.In addition,Ssn NOS showed significant expression changes in response to stimulation by two pathogens.Particular in gill,the expression of Ssn NOS after pathogenic stimulation increased significantly.The Elisa analysis showed the Ssn NOS content in gills was much higher than that in other tissues at all time points.Moreover,the expression patterns of Ssn NOS in brain,intestine and kidney after stimulation by pathogens showed a distinct expression pattern which first down-regulated and then up-regulated.Therefore,the Ssn NOS may be an important signaling molecule for fish to respond rapidly in immune stimulation.

The emerging role of nitric oxide in the synaptic dysfunction of vascular dementia

With an increase in global aging,the number of people affected by cerebrovascular diseases is also increasing,and the incidence of vascular dementia-closely related to cerebrovascular risk-is increasing at an epidemic rate.However,few therapeutic options exist that can markedly improve the cognitive impairment and prognosis of vascular dementia patients.Similarly in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders,synaptic dysfunction is recognized as the main reason for cognitive decline.Nitric oxide is one of the ubiquitous gaseous cellular messengers involved in multiple physiological and pathological processes of the central nervous system.Recently,nitric oxide has been implicated in regulating synaptic plasticity and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular dementia.This review introduces in detail the emerging role of nitric oxide in physiological and pathological states of vascular dementia and summarizes the diverse effects of nitric oxide on different aspects of synaptic dysfunction,neuroinflammation,oxidative stress,and blood-brain barrier dysfunction that underlie the progress of vascular dementia.Additionally,we propose that targeting the nitric oxide-sGC-cGMP pathway using certain specific approaches may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for vascular dementia.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase/reactive oxygen species pathway is involved in apoptosis and pyroptosis in epilepsy

Dysfunction of neuronal nitric oxide synthase contributes to neurotoxicity,which triggers cell death in various neuropathological diseases,including epilepsy.Studies have shown that inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity increases the epilepsy threshold,that is,has an anticonvulsant effect.However,the exact role and potential mechanism of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in seizures are still unclear.In this study,we performed RNA sequencing,functional enrichment analysis,and weighted gene coexpression network analysis of the hippocampus of tremor rats,a rat model of genetic epilepsy.We found damaged hippocampal mitochondria and abnormal succinate dehydrogenase level and Na+-K+-ATPase activity.In addition,we used a pilocarpine-induced N2a cell model to mimic epileptic injury.After application of neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 7-nitroindazole,changes in malondialdehyde,lactate dehydrogenase and superoxide dismutase,which are associated with oxidative stress,were reversed,and the increase in reactive oxygen species level was reversed by 7-nitroindazole or reactive oxygen species inhibitor N-acetylcysteine.Application of 7-nitroindazole or N-acetylcysteine downregulated the expression of caspase-3 and cytochrome c and reversed the apoptosis of epileptic cells.Furthermore,7-nitroindazole or N-acetylcysteine downregulated the abnormally high expression of NLRP3,gasdermin-D,interleukin-1βand interleukin-18.This indicated that 7-nitroindazole and N-acetylcysteine each reversed epileptic cell death.Taken together,our findings suggest that the neuronal nitric oxide synthase/reactive oxygen species pathway is involved in pyroptosis of epileptic cells,and inhibiting neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity or its induced oxidative stress may play a neuroprotective role in epilepsy.

Regeneration of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-containing nerve fibers in rat corpus cavernosum

Aim: To investigate the effect of cavernous nerve injury on the nNOS-containing nerve fibers in rat corpus cavernosum.Methods: Thirty-three male SD rats were randomized into 3 groups: 5 rats underwent pelvic exploration without tran-section of cavernous nerve as the sham-operated controls, the unilateral injury group (14 rats) had the cavernous nerve cuton one side, and the bilateral injury group (14 rats) had the nerves cut on both sides. Corpora cavernosa were harvestedat the 3rd week and 6th month after surgery, nNOS-positive nerve fibers were examined with strepavidin peroxidase im-munohistochemistry techniques (SP method). Results: After bilateral ablation, the nNOS-positive nerve fibers weresignificantly decreased at both the 3rd week ( 17 ± 4) and the 6th month (16 ± 4). For the unilateral injury group, thenNOS-positive nerve fibers were similarly decreased on the side of the neurotomy at the 3rd week (18 ± 6), but by the 6thmonth, the number increased significantly (61±9) and approximated the level on the contralateral side (81 ± 13). Con-clusion: In rats after unilateral cavernous nerve ablation, nNOS-containing nerve fibers might regenerate 6 months afteroperation, but regeneration did not occur in animals with bilateral cavernous nerve injury. Results suggest that duringpelvic radical surgery, the cavernous nerve should be preserved at least on one side in order to accomplish adequate regen-eration. (Asian J Androl 1999 Sep ; 1: 135 - 138)

Association between endothelial nitric oxide synthase(ENOS) G894T polymorphism and high altitude(HA) adaptation： a meta-analysis

Objective: Highland natives adapt well to the hypoxic environment at high altitude(HA). Several genes have been reported to be linked to HA adaptation. Previous studies showed that the endothelial nitric oxide synthase(ENOS) G894 T polymorphism contributed to the physiology and pathophysiology of humans at HA by regulating the production of NO. In this meta-analysis, we evaluate the association between the ENOS G894 T polymorphism and HA adaptation through analyzing the published data. Methods: We searched all relevant literature about the ENOS G894 T polymorphism and HA adaptation in Pub Med, Medline, and Embase before Step 2015. A random-effects model was applied(Revman 5.0), and study quality was assessed in duplicate. Six studies with 634 HA native cases and 621 low-altitude controls were included in this meta-analysis. Results: From the results, we observed that the wild-type allele G was significantly overrepresented in the HA groups(OR=1.85; 95% CI, 1.47–2.33; P<0.0001). In addition, the GG genotype was significantly associated with HA adaptation(OR=1.99; 95% CI, 1.54–2.57; P<0.0001). Conclusion: Our results showed that in 894 G allele carriers, the GG genotype might be a beneficial factor for HA adaptation through enhancing the level of NO. However, more studies were needed to confirm our findings due to the limited sample size.

Effect of Berberine on the mRNA Expression of Nitric Oxide Synthase(NOS) in Rat Corpus Cavernosum

Summary: In order to further investigate the mechanisms of action of berberine (Ber), we assessed the effects of Ber on the mRNA expression of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) in rat corpus cavernosum. After incubation with Ber for 1 or 3 h respectively, the levels of NOS mRNA were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Our results showed that there were iNOS and eNOS mRNA expressions in rat corpus cavernosum. Ber enhanced eNOS mRNA expression in rat penis, but exhibited no effect on the expression of iNOS mRNA (P>0.05). The present study indicated that the relaxation of Ber involved the NO-cGMP signal thansduction pathway. The enhancing effect of Ber on eNOS mRNA expression might associated with its relaxation of corpus cavernosum.

Association of Glu298Asp Polymorphism of the En-dothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene with Essential Hypertension in Elderly People

Objective: To investigate the association of Glu298Asp polymorphism of theeNOS gene with essential hypertension in elderly people. Methods: Ninety-five cases of essentialhypertension were randomly chosen from outpatients and inpatients as the study group, and an equalnumber of sexes, age-matched healthy people as the control group. Their height, weight and bloodpressure were recorded and their fasting plasma lipid concentrations were measured. Glu298Asppolymorphism of the eNOS gene was measured using the methods of PCR and RFLP. Results: Theconstituent ratio of Genotype Glu/Asp in the study group (26.3%) was higher than that in the controlgroup (12.6%, x^2 = 5. 67, P<0.05), the allelic frequency of 298Asp in the study group (13.2%) wassignificantly higher than that in the control group (6.3%, x^2 = 5.06, P<0.05). Conclusion: Glu298Asp variant of the eNOS gene may be an independent predictor in essential hypertension.

血清KLF2、NOS3水平对大动脉粥样硬化型急性脑梗死患者的诊断及病情评估价值

[目的]探讨锌指样转录因子2(KLF2)、内皮型一氧化氮合酶3(NOS3)水平在大动脉粥样硬化(LAA)型急性脑梗死(ACI)患者诊断及病情评估中的价值。[方法]将150例LAA型ACI患者根据病情分为轻度组(n=36)、中度组(n=48)和重度组(n=66),另选取同期门诊健康体检者设为对照组(n=150)。比较各组血清KLF2、NOS3水平;ROC曲线分别分析血清KLF2、NOS3水平对LAA型ACI的诊断价值和对发生重度LAA型ACI的预测价值。[结果]LAA型ACI组患者血清KLF2、NOS3水平显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。轻、中、重度组LAA型ACI患者血清KLF2、NOS3水平依次显著降低(P<0.05)。血清KLF2、NOS3二者联合诊断LAA型ACI的AUC为0.858,灵敏度为73.33%,特异度为86.00%,优于KLF2、NOS3各自单独诊断(Z联合检测-KLF2=3.796,Z联合检测-NOS3=4.689,均P<0.001)。血清KLF2、NOS3二者联合预测发生重度LAA型ACI的AUC为0.878,灵敏度为77.27%,特异度为90.48%,优于KLF2、NOS3各自单独预测(Z联合检测-KLF2=2.401,P=0.016;Z联合检测-NOS3=3.070,P=0.002)。[结论]LAA型ACI患者血清KLF2、NOS3水平显著降低,且与病情严重程度显著负相关,二者联合应用对LAA型ACI诊断和病情预测具有较高的评估效能。

秋水仙碱通过激动PI3K/AKT/eNOS信号通路对急性心肌梗死大鼠心功能的影响

目的:探究秋水仙碱通过调节磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(PI3K)/蛋白激酶B(AKT)/内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)信号通路对急性心肌梗死(AMI)大鼠心功能的影响。方法:78只大鼠中随机选取12只作为假手术组,剩余大鼠构建AMI模型,造模成功大鼠分为模型组、秋水仙碱组[4 mg/(kg·d)]、秋水仙碱[4 mg/(kg·d)]+LY294002(20 mg/mL)组、秋水仙碱[4 mg/(kg·d)]+MK-2206(60μg/mL)组、秋水仙碱[4 mg/(kg·d)]+L-NAME(1.6 mg/mL)组,每组12只。超声心动图检测大鼠左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、左心室收缩末期内径(LVESD)、射血分数(EF)及短轴缩短率(FS)。处死大鼠,苏木素-伊红(HE)染色检测大鼠心肌组织石蜡切片病理学变化;末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导的dUTP缺口末端标记(TUNEL)法检测心肌细胞凋亡率;酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)测定大鼠血清肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)以及心肌组织匀浆中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)水平;免疫印迹法(Western Blot)测定大鼠心肌组织PI3K/AKT/eNOS通路蛋白表达。结果:与假手术组相比,模型组大鼠LVESD、LVEDD,血清CK-MB、TNF-α、IL-6水平,心肌匀浆MDA、心肌细胞凋亡率升高,EF、FS水平,心肌匀浆SOD、CAT,心肌组织磷酸化PI3K(p-PI3K)/PI3K、磷酸化AKT(p-AKT)/AKT、磷酸化eNOS(p-eNOS)/eNOS降低(P<0.05);与模型组相比,秋水仙碱组大鼠LVESD、LVEDD,血清CK-MB、TNF-α、IL-6水平,心肌匀浆MDA、心肌细胞凋亡率降低,EF、FS水平,心肌匀浆SOD、CAT,心肌组织p-PI3K/PI3K、p-AKT/AKT、p-eNOS/eNOS升高(P<0.05);与秋水仙碱组相比,秋水仙碱+LY294002组、秋水仙碱+MK-2206组、秋水仙碱+L-NAME组大鼠LVESD、LVEDD,血清CK-MB、TNF-α、IL-6水平,心肌匀浆MDA、心肌细胞凋亡率升高,EF、FS水平,心肌匀浆SOD、CAT,心肌组织p-PI3K/PI3K、p-AKT/AKT、p-eNOS/eNOS降低(P<0.05)。结论:秋水仙碱可能通过激活PI3K/AKT/eNOS信号通路对AMI大鼠发挥心功能保护作用。

NOS3、IL-1β基因多态性与不明原因复发性流产相关性的研究进展

不明原因复发性流产(URSA)是妇产科中最常见的妊娠并发症之一,给患者身心和家庭造成严重的负面影响,是育龄期女性生殖健康的一大威胁。其病因及发病机制不清,尚无有效的防治措施,是当前生殖健康领域的一大难点。有研究表明一氧化氮合酶3(NOS3)、白介素-1β(IL-1β)基因的相关功能区单核苷酸多态性(SNP)与URSA疾病相关,但文献结果并不一致。本文就NOS3、IL-1β基因多态性与URSA相关性的研究进展进行综述。

Effects of icariin on erectile function and expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in castrated rats

Aim： To investigate the effect of icariin on erectile function and the expression of nitric oxide synthase （NOS） isoforms in castrated rats. Methods： Thirty-two adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into one shamoperated group （A） and three castrated groups （B, C and D）. One week after surgery, rats were treated with normal saline （groups A and B） or oral icariin （1 mg/[kg·day] for group C and 5 mg/[kg·day] for group D） for 4 weeks. One week after treatment, the erectile function of the rats was assessed by measuring intracavernosal pressure （ICP） during electrostimulation of the cavernosal nerve. The serum testosterone （ST） levels, the percent of smooth muscle （PSM） in trabecular tissue, and the expression of mRNA and proteins of neuronal nitric oxide synthase （nNOS）, inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）, endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS） and phosphodiesterase V （PDES） in corpus cavernosum （CC） were also evaluated. Results： ICP, PSM, ST and the expression of nNOS, iNOS, eNOS and PDE5 were significantly decreased in group B compared with those in group A （P 〈 0.01）. However, ICE PSM and the expression of nNOS and iNOS were increased in groups C and D compared with those in group B （P 〈 0.05）. Changes in ST and the expression of eNOS and PDE5 were not significant （P 〉 0.05） in groups C and D compared with those in group B. Conclusion： Oral treatment with icariin （〉 98.6 % purity） for 4 weeks potentially improves erectile function. This effect is correlated with an increase in PSM and the expression of certain NOS in the CC of castrated rats. These results suggest that icariin may have a therapeutic effect on erectile dysfunction.

AEE对RAW264.7细胞中iNOS表达及NO合成的影响

为了探讨阿司匹林丁香酚酯(AEE)对氧化型低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)诱导的RAW264.7细胞中诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)表达及一氧化氮(NO)合成的影响,试验首先采用CCK-8法检测细胞存活率,采用油红O染色法观察细胞内脂滴形成情况,采用实时荧光定量PCR扩增、免疫荧光技术和Western-blot技术测定iNOS mRNA和蛋白的相对表达量,最后通过硝酸盐还原酶测定法测定NO含量。结果表明:AEE和ox-LDL对RAW264.7细胞没有毒性。利用80μg/mL的ox-LDL可成功诱导RAW264.7细胞泡沫化,建立泡沫细胞模型,并且AEE可明显抑制细胞内脂滴的形成。ox-LDL可极显著上调细胞中iNOS mRNA及蛋白的相对表达量(P<0.01),并且极显著增加了细胞内NO含量(P<0.01)。经AEE预处理的RAW264.7细胞中iNOS mRNA及蛋白相对表达量显著或极显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01),细胞内NO含量也极显著减少(P<0.01)。说明AEE可通过抑制iNOS的表达降低NO的合成,缓解RAW264.7细胞泡沫化,进而发挥抗动脉粥样硬化的作用。

Distribution of nitric oxide synthase in stomach myenteric plexus of rats

AIM: To study the distribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in rat stomach myenteric plexus. METHODS: The distribution of NOS in gastric wall was studied in quantity and location by the NADPH-diaphorase (NDP) histochemical staining method and whole mount preparation technique. RESULTS: NOS was distributed in whole stomach wall, most of them were located in myenteric plexus, and distributed in submucosal plexus.The shape of NOS positive neurons was basically similar, most of them being round and oval in shape. But their density, size and staining intensity varied greatly in the different parts of stomach. The density was 62+/-38 cells mm(2) (antrum), 43+/-32 cells/mm(2) (body), and 32+/-28 cells mm(2) (fundus), respectively. The size and staining intensity of NOS positive neurons in the fundus were basically the same, the neurons being large and dark stained, while they were obviously different in antrum. In the body of the stomach, the NOS positive neurons were in an intermediate state from fundus to antrum. There were some beadlike structures which were strung together by NOS positive varicosities in nerve fibers, some were closely adherent to the outer walls of blood vessels. CONCLUSION: Nitric oxide might be involved in the modulation of motility, secretion and blood circulation of the stomach, and the significant difference of NOS positive neurons in different parts of stomach myenteric plexus may be related to the physiologic function of stomach.

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma:Correlation with microvessel density

AIM:Cydooxygenases (COX) are key enzymes for conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins.Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is the enzyme responsible for formation of nitric oxide. Both have constitutive and inducible isoforms.The inducible isoforms (iNOS and COX-2) are of great interest as regulators of tumor angiogenesis,tumorigenesis and inflammatory processes.This study was to clarify their role in pancreatic adenocarcinomas. METHODS:We investigated the immunohistochemical iNOS and COX-2 expression in 40 pancreatic ductal adenocardnomas of different grade and stage.The results were compared with microvessel density and dinicopathological data. RESULTS:Twenty-one (52.5%) of the cases showed iNOS expression,15 (37.5%) of the cases were positive for COX-2. The immunoreaction was heterogeneously distributed within the tumors.Staining intensity was different between the tumors.No correlation between iNOS and COX-2 expression was seen.There was no relationship with microvessel density. However,iNOS positive tumors developed more often distant metastases and the more malignant tumors showed a higher COX-2 expression.There was no correlation with other clinicopathological data. CONCLUSION:Approximately half of the cases expressed iNOS and COX-2.These two enzymes do not seem to be the key step in angiogenesis or carcinogenesis of pancreatic adenocarcinomas.Due to a low prevalence of COX-2 expression,chemoprevention of pancreatic carcinomas by COX-2 inhibitors can only achieve a limited success.

Expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and matrix metalloproteinase-9 and their effects on angiogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM： To determine the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） and matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9） in hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） and to investigate the relationship between iNOS and MMP-9 expression and their effects on angiogenesis and progression of HCC.METHODS： In this study, we examined iNOS, MMP-9, and CD34 expression in specimens surgically removed from 32 HCC patients and 7 normal liver tissues by immunohistochemical staining. Meanwhile, microvessel density （MVD） was determined as a marker of angiogenesis by counting CD34-positive cells. RESULTS： The positive rates of iNOS and MMP-9 expression were 71.88% （23/32） and 78.13% （25/32） in HCC. MMP-9 expression was significantly correlated with tumor size, capsule status, TNM stage, and risk of HCC recurrence （P = 0.032, P= 0.033, P= 0.007, and P= 0.001, respectively）. There was also a significant relationship between iNOS expression and capsule status and risk of HCC recurrence （P = 0.049 and P = 0.004, respectively）, but no correlation between iNOS expression and tumor size and TNM stage. There was a positive association between MVD and TNM stage and risk of HCC recurrence （P = 0.037 and P = 0.000, respectively）. The count of MVD was significantly different in different iNOS and MMP-9 immunoreactivity groups （F= 17.713 and 17.097, P= 0.000 and P = 0.000, respectively）. The examination of Spearman＇s rank correlation coefficient showed that there was a significant positive correlation between MVD and iNOS, MMP-9 immunoreactivity （r = 0.754 and 0.751, P= 0.000 and P=-0.000, respectively）. There was also a significant association between MMP-9 and iNOS expression in HCC （P = 0.010）. CONCLUSION： Nitric oxide （NO） produced by iNOS could modulate MMP-9 production and therefore contribute totumor cell angiogenesis and invasion and metastasis in HCC. The strong expression of iNOS and MMP-9 in HCC may be helpful in evaluating the recurrence of HCC, predicting poor prognosis. For patients with strong expression of MMP-9 and iNOS, the optimal treatment scheme needs to be selected.

Role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neuronal nitric oxide synthase in stress-induced depression

BACKGROUND： Accumulated evidence indicates an important role for hippocampal dendrite atrophy in development of depression, while brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） participates in hippocampal dendrite growth. OBJECTIVE： To discuss the role of BDNF and neuronal nitric oxide synthase （nNOS） in chronic and unpredictable stress-induced depression and the pathogenesis of depression. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized, controlled animal experiment. The experiment was carded out from October 2006 to May 2007 at the Department of Animal Physiology, College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University. MATERIALS： Thirty-seven male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g at the beginning of the experiment were obtained from Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine （Xi＇an, China）. BDNF antibody and nNOS antibody were provided by Santa Cruz （USA）. K252a （BDNF inhibitor） and 7-NI （nNOS inhibitor） were provided by Sigma （USA）. METHODS： Animals were randomly divided into five groups： Control group, chronic unpredicted mild stress （CUMS） group, K252a group, K252a＋7-NI group and 7-NI＋CUMS group. While the Control, K252a and K252a＋7-NI groups of rats not subjected to stress had free access to food and water, other groups of rats were subjected to nine stressors randomly applied for 21 days, with each stressor applied 2-3 times. On days 1, 7, 14 and 21 during CUMS, rats received microinjection of 1 μL of physiological saline in the Control and CUMS groups, 1 ~ L of K252a in the K252a group, 1 μL of K252a and 7-NI in the K252a＋7-NI group, and 1 μL of 7-NI in the 7-NI＋CUMS group. We observed a variety of alterations in sucrose preference, body weight change, open field test and forced swimming test, and observed the expression of BDNF and nNOS in rat hippocampus by immunohistochemistry; MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： ① A variety.of behavioral alterations of rats; ② The expression of BDNF and nNOS in rat hippocampus. RESULTS： Compared with the Control group, the behavior of the CUMS rats was significantly depressed, the expression of BDNF decreased （P 〈 0.01） but the expression of nNOS increased （P 〈 0.01）. The behavior of rats given intra-hippocampal injection of BDNF inhibitor was significantly depressed and the expression of nNOS was significantly increased （P 〈 0.01）. Intra-hippocampal injections of an nNOS inhibitor reversed the depression-like behavioral changes induced by CUMS or intra-hippocampal injection of BDNF inhibitor. CONCLUSION： CUMS induced a decrease in expression of BDNF and an increase in expression of NO in the hippocampus, which may lead to depression.

Role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase in intestinal injury in neonatal rats

AIM： TO investigate the dynamic change and role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase （nNOS） and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） in neonatal rat with intestinal injury and to define whether necrotizing enterocolitis （NEC） is associated with the levels of nitric oxide synthase （NOS） in the mucosa of the affected intestine tissue. METHODS： Wistar rats less than 24 h in age received an intraperitoneal injection with 5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. Ileum tissues were collected at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h following LPS challenge for histological evaluation of NEC and for measurements of nNOS and iNOS. The correlation between the degree of intestinal injury and levels of NOS was determined. RESULTS： The LPS-injected increase in injury scores pups showed a significant versus the control. The expression of nNOS protein and mRNA was diminished after LPS injection. There was a negative significant correlation between the nNOS protein and the grade of median intestinal injury within 24 h. The expression of iNOS protein and mRNA was significantly increased in the peak of intestinal injury. CONCLUSION： nNOS and iNOS play different roles in LPS-induced intestinal injury. Caution should be exerted concerning potential therapeutic uses of NOS inhibitors in NEC.

Nitric oxide synthase and heme oxygenase expressions in human liver cirrhosis

AIM： Portal hypertension is a common complication of liver cirrhosis. Intrahepatic pressure can be elevated in several ways. Abnormal architecture affecting the vasculature, an increase in vasoconstrictors and increased circulation from the splanchnic viscera into the portal system may all contribute. It follows that endogenous vasodilators may be able to alleviate the hypertension. We therefore aimed to investigate the levels of endogenous vasodilators, nitric oxide （NO） and carbon monoxide （CO） through the expression of nitric oxide synthase （NOS） and heme oxygenase （HO）. METHOD： Cirrhotic （n = 20） and non-cirrhotic （n = 20） livers were obtained from patients who had undergone surgery. The mRNA and protein expressions of the various isoforms of NOS and HO were examined using competitive PCR, Western Blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS： There was no significant change in either inducible NOS （iNOS） or neuronal NOS （nNOS） expressions while endothelial NOS （eNOS） was up- regulated in cirrhotic livers. Concomitantly, caveolin-1, an established down-regulator of eNOS, was upregulated. Inducible HO-1 and constitutive HO-2 were found to show increased expression in cirrhotic livers albeit in different Iocalizations. CONCLUSION： The differences of NOS expression might be due to their differing roles in maintaining liver homeostasis and/or involvement in the pathology of cirrhosis. Sheer stress within the hypertensive liver may induce increased expression of eNOS. In turn, caveolin-1 is also increased. Whether this serves as a defense mechanism against further cirrhosis or is a consequence of cirrhosis, is yet unknown. The elevated expression of HO-1 and HO-2 suggest that CO may compensate in its role as a vasodilator albeit weakly. It is possible that CO and NO have parallel or coordinated functions within the liver and may work antagonistically in the pathophysiology of portal hypertension.