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.

Role of chloride channels in nitric oxide-induced rat hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in vitro

BACKGROUND：Chloride channels participate in non-neuronal apoptosis.However,it remains unclear whether chloride channels are involved in ischemic neuronal apoptosis.OBJECTIVE：To explore the effects of 4-acetamido-4＇-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2＇-disulfonic acid （SITS） and 4,4＇-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2＇-disulfonic acid （DIDS）,two chloride channel blockers,on the hippocampal neuronal apoptosis induced by 3-morpholinosydnonimine （SIN-1） based on the nitric oxide toxicity theory of neuronal apoptosis following ischemic brain injury.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING：Comparative observation and in vitro experiments were performed at the laboratory of Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical College from January to May 2009.MATERIALS：SIN-1,SITS,and DIDS were purchased from Sigma,USA.METHODS：Hippocampal neurons from Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 1 day,were cultured In vitro for 12 days and randomly assigned to control,SIN-1,or chloride channel blocker groups.SIN-1 group neurons were induced by SIN-1 for 18 hours to establish a model of ischemic neuronal apoptosis.Neurons in chloride channel blocker groups were treated with SITS or DIDS plus SIN-1 for 18 hours.The controls were cultured in DMEM/Ham＇s F12 complete medium alone.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES：The apoptotic neurons and nuclear appearance were detected by Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining; neuronal viability was quantitatively determined by 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide analysis.Caspase-3 activity was analyzed by Western blot.RESULTS：SIN-1 （1 mmol/L） dramatically induced apoptosis （50%-60%）.SITS and DIDS inhibited nitric oxide-induced neuronal injury in a dose-dependent manner,suppressed caspase-3 activation,reduced neuronal apoptosis,and improved neuronal survival.CONCLUSION：Chloride channel blockers can protect against neuronal injury induced by NO.Chloride channels might be involved in neuronal apoptosis following cerebral ischemia.

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.

Targeting neuronal nitric oxide synthase as a valuable strategy for the therapy of neurological disorders

The management of neurological disorders have huge and increasing human and economic costs. Despite this, there is a scarcity of effective therapeutics, and there is an extreme urgency for new and real treatments. In this short review we analyze some promising advancements in the search of new bioactive molecules targeting neuronal nitric oxide synthase （nNOS）, an enzyme deputed to the biosynthesis of nitric oxide （NO）. In different conditions of neuronal damages, this molecule is overproduced, contributing to the pathogenesis and progression of neuronal diseases. Two main approaches to modulate nNOS are discussed： a first one consisting in the direct inhibition of the enzyme by means of small organic molecules, which can be also active against other different targets involved in such diseases. A second section is dedicated to molecules able to prevent the formation of the ternary complex N-methyl-D-aspartate （NMDA）type glutamate receptors, postsynaptic density-95 （PSD95） protein-nNOS, which is necessary to activate the latter for the biosynthesis of NO.

Hyperlipidemia affects neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression in brains of focal cerebral ischemia rat model

BACKGROUND： Hyperlipidemia, a risk factor for ischemic cerebrovascular disease, may mediate production of neuronal nitric oxide synthase （nNOS） to induce increased nitric oxide levels, resulting in brain neuronal injury. OBJECTIVE： To investigate effects of hyperlipidemia on brain nNOS expression, and to verify changes in infarct volume and pathology during reperfusion, as well as neuronal injury following ischemia/reperfusion in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Complete, randomized grouping experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Physiology, Shanxi Medical University from March 2005 to March 2006. MATERIALS： A total of 144 eight-week-old, male, Wistar rats, weighing 160-180 g, were selected. A rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion was established by suture method after 4 weeks of formulated diet. Nitric oxide kit and rabbit anti-rat nNOS kit were respectively purchased from Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Institute, China and Wuhan Boster Biological Technology, Ltd., China. METHODS： The rats were equally and randomly divided into high-fat diet and a normal diet groups. Rats in the high-fat diet group were fed a high-fat diet, consisting of 10% egg yolk powder, 5% pork fat, and 0.5% pig bile salt combined with standard chow to create hyperlipidemia. Rats in the normal diet group were fed a standard rat chow. A total of 72 rats in both groups were randomly divided into 6 subgroups： sham-operated, 4-hour ischemia, 4-hour ischemia/2-hour reperfusion, 4-hour ischemia/4-hour reperfusion, 4-hour ischemia/6-hour reperfusion, and 4-hour ischemia/12-hour reperfusion, with 12 rats in each subgroup. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： nNOS expression was measured by immunohistochemistry, and pathomorphology changes were detected by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Infarct volume and nitric oxide levels were respectively measured using 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS： In the ischemic region, pathology changes were significant in the 4-hour ischemia/4-hour, 4-hour ischemia/6-hour reperfusion, and 4-hour ischemia/12-hour reperfusion subgroups fed on a high-fat diet compared to the same groups fed on a normal diet. In each ischemia subgroup, nNOS expression in brain tissues was higher than in the sham-operated subgroups fed on either the high-fat diet or normal diet （P 〈 0.01）. At each ischemia/reperfusion time point, rats fed on a high-fat diet expressed higher levels of nNOS compared to rats fed on the normal diet （P 〈 0.05）. When tissue was stained with TTC, a white infarction area was detected in the ischemic hemisphere, demonstrating that the infarct volume gradually increased with prolonged reperfusion time in each ischemia subgroup. At each ischemia/reperfusion time point, the infarct volume was larger in rats fed on a high-fat diet compared to those fed on a normal diet. CONCLUSION： nNOS expression was greater in hyperlipidemia rats following ischemia/reperfusion. Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury is aggravated with prolonged reperfusion time.

Changes of learning and memory ability associated with neuronal nitric oxide synthase in brain tissues of rats with acute alcoholism

BACKGROUD： Ethanol can influence neural development and the ability of leaming and memory, but its mechanism of the neural toxicity is not clear till now. Endogenous nitric oxide （NO） as a gaseous messenger is proved to play an important role in the formation of synaptic plasticity, transference of neuronal information and the neural development, but excessive nitro oxide can result in neurotoxicity. OBJECTIVE ： To observe the effects of acute alcoholism on the learning and memory ability and the content of neuronal nitric oxide synthase （nNOS） in brain tissue of rats. DESIGN ： A randomized controlled animal experiment. SETTING ： Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical College MATERIALS： Eighteen male clean-degree SD rats of 18-22 weeks were raised adaptively for 2 days, and then randomly divided into control group （n = 8） and experimental group （n = 10）. The nNOS immunohistochemical reagent was provided by Beijing Zhongshan Golden Bridge Biotechnology Co.,Ltd. Y-maze was produced by Suixi Zhenghua Apparatus Plant. METHODS ： The experiment was carded out in the laboratory of the Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical College from June to October in 2005. ① Rats in the experimental group were intraperitoneally injected with ethanol （2.5 g/kg） which was dissolved in normal saline （20%）. The loss of righting reflex and ataxia within 5 minutes indicated the successful model. Whereas rats in the control group were given saline of the same volume. ② Examinations of learning and memory ability： The Y-maze tests for learning and memory ability were performed at 6 hours after the models establishment. The rats were put into the Y-maze separately. The test was performed in a quiet and dark room. There was a lamp at the end of each of three pathways in Y-maze and the base of maze had electric net. All the lamps of the three pathways were turned on for 3 minutes and then turned off. One lamp was turned on randomly, and the other two delayed automatically. In 5 seconds after alternation, pulsating electric current presented in the base of unsafe area to stimulate rat＇s feet to run to the safe area. The lighting lasted for 15 seconds as one test. Running from unsafe area to safe area at one time in 10 seconds was justified as successful. Such test was repeated for 10 times for each rat and the successful frequency was recorded. The qualified standard of maze test was that the rat ardved in the safe area g times during 10 experiments. The number of trainings for the qualified standard was used to represent the result of spatial learning. ③ Determination of the content of nNOS in brain tissue： After the Y-maze test, the rats were anaesthetized, and blood was let from the incision on right auricle, transcardially perfused via the left ventricle with about 200 mL saline, then fixed by perfusion of 40 g/L paraformaldehyde. Hippocampal CA1 region, corpus striatum and cerebellum were taken to prepare serial freezing coronal sections. The nNOS contents in the brain regions were determined with the immunohistochemical methods to reflect the changes of nitdc oxide in brain tissue. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES ： The changes of learning and memory ability and the changes of the nNOS contents in the brain tissue of rats with acute alcoholism were observed. RESULTS ： One rat in the experimental group was excluded due to its slow reaction to electdc stimulation in the Y-maze test, and the other 17 rats were involved in the analysis of results. ① The training times to reach qualifying standards of Y-maze in the expedmental group was more than that in the control group [（34.33 ±13.04）, （27.50±8.79） times, P〈 0.05]. ② Forms and numbers of nNOS positive neurons in brain tissue： It could be observed under light microscope that in the hippocampal CA1 region, there were fewer nNOS positive neurons, which were lightly stained, and the processes were not clear enough; But the numbers of the positive neurons which were deeply stained as huffy were obviously increased in the experimental group, the cell body and cyloplasm of process were evenly stained, but the nucleus was not stained. The nNOS positive neurons in corpus stdatum had similar forms and size in the experimental group and control group. The form of the nNOS positive neurons in cerebellum were similar between the two groups. The numbers of nNOS positive neurons in hippocampal CA1 region and corpus striatum in the expedmental group [（18.22±7.47）, （11.38±5.00） cells/high power field] were obviously higher than those in the control group [（10.15±4.24）, （6.15±3.69） cells/high power field. The number of nNOS positive neurons in cerebellum had no significant difference between the two groups [（49.56±18.84）, （44.43±15.42） cells/high power field, P〉 0.05]. CONCLUSION ： Acute alcoholism may impair learning and memory ability, and nitric oxide may be involved in mediating the neurotoxic role of ethanol.

Role of hippocampal neuronal nitric oxide synthase in epilepsy

OBJECTIVE To study the function of neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS) in the dentate gyrus(DG) in the pathology of epilepsy.METHODS The expression of nNOS in the DG was measured by qPCR and Western blotting in mice 3 and 12 h,1,7,14,and 60 d after treatment with pilocarpine(280 mg·kg-1,ip,one time).We constructed a type of lentiovirus encoding the full length cDNA of nNOS(LV-nNOS-GFP) and injected it and LV-GFP(1 μL) into the DG of the hippocampus 7 d after pilocarpine-induced seizure.The occurrence of epileptic spikes and spontaneous seizure(SRS)were monitored through electroencephalo-graph(EEG) and the protein expression was confirmed by Western blotting.We also constructed a lentioviral vehicle to interfere the expression of nNOS mRNA,which was named as LV-n NOSRNAi-GFP.A volume of 1 μL of LV-nNOS-RNAiGFP or LV-GFP was injected into the DG of the hippocampus 7 d before pilocarpine-induced seizure followed by EEG record and protein detection 2 months later.By EEG,we compared the susceptibility of nNOS knockout and wild-type mice to seizure induction and the development of epilepsy.In addition,we measured the influence of nNOS knockout on the excitability of dentate cells including mEPSC and mIPSC by using patch clamp technique.RESULTS Western blotting and qPCR measurement showed that the mRNA and protein expression of nNOS in the DG was not significantly changed in pilocarpinetreated mice compared with control mice.But the both m RNA and protein expression of nNOS decreased 7,14 and 60 d after treatment with pilocarpine(280 mg·kg-1,ip,one time).With infection of LV-nNOS-GFP in the DG,the decreased level of nNOS was recovered 7 d after seizure induction and the frequency of epileptic spikes and SRS were reversed by nNOS overexpression.We found that nNOS knockout caused a higher susceptive level to seizure induction by pilocarpine.Re-expression of nNOS in the DG of nNOS knockout mice relived the severity of epilepsy.By patch clamp recording,we found that there was no significant difference in the amplitude of mEPSC and mIPSC between nNOS knockout and wild-type mice,but the frequency of mEPSC was increased in nN OS knockout mice.Consistently,knockdown of nNOS by injection of LV-nNOS-RNAi-GFP into the DG caused higher frequency of epileptic spikes and SRS 2 months after pilocarpine-induced seizure.CONCLUSION Neurons expressing nNOS in the DG play an important role in the development of epilepsy.

Nitric oxide promotes survival of cerebellar granule neurons cultured in vitro through the Akt pathway

In this study, cerebellar granule neurons were used to examine the role of nitric oxide on cell survival. The N-methyI-D-aspartic acid receptor antagonist, MK-801, and the soluble guanylate cyclase antagonist, 1H-[1, 2, 4]oxadiazolo-[4, 3-a] quinoxalin-1 -one, decreased cell viability, induced caspase-3, and decreased phosphorylated-Akt levels, suggesting that blockade of nitric oxide production promotes apoptosis of differentiating cerebellar granule neurons. After administration of sodium nitroprusside, an endogenous nitric oxide donor, cell viability recovered, caspase-3 expression was decreased, and phosphorylated-Akt levels increased. This study provides direct evidence that nitric oxide can sustain the survival of developing cerebellar granule neurons in vitro through the nitric oxide-Akt pathway. Moreover, endogenous nitric oxide exerts these effects in a cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent manner while exogenous nitric oxide does so in a cyclic guanosine monophosphate-independent manner.

COLOCALIZATION OF NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE IN GNRH NEURONS OF RAT FOREBRAIN AND HYPOTHALAMUS

In order to gain more information about the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on GnRH release, double NADPH diaphorase histochemistry GnRH immunohistochemistry staining was used to investigate the morphological relationship between NO synthase (NOS) containing cells and GnRH neurons in the forebrain and hypothalamus of rats. The results showed that some of the GnRH neurons in the diagonal band of Broca, olfactory tubercle and deeper part of temporal cortex had the NOS activity, suggesting GnRH secretion can be rapidly regulated by NO derived from GnRH neurons themselves in an autocrine manner.

Subcellular distribution of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in the rat duodenum

AIM:To study the cell-type specific subcellular distribution of the three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase(NOS) in the rat duodenum.METHODS:Postembedding immunoelectronmicroscopy was performed,in which primary antibodies for neuronal NOS(nNOS),endothelial NOS(eNOS),and inducible NOS(iNOS),were visualized with protein A-gold-conjugated secondary antibodies.Stained ultrathin sections were examined and photographed with a Philips CM10 electron microscope equipped with a MEGAVIEW II camera.The specificity of the immunoreaction in all cases was assessed by omitting the primary antibodies in the labeling protocol and incubating the sections only in the protein A-gold conjugated secondary antibodies.RESULTS:Postembedding immunoelectronmicroscopy revealed the presence of nNOS,eNOS,and iNOS immunoreactivity in the myenteric neurons,the enteric smooth muscle cells,and the endothelium of capillariesrunning in the vicinity of the myenteric plexus of the rat duodenum.The cell type-specific distributions of the immunogold particles labeling the three different NOS isozymes were revealed.In the control experiments,in which the primary antiserum was omitted,virtually no postembedding gold particles were observed.CONCLUSION:This postembedding immunoelectronmicroscopic study provided the first evidence of celltype-specific differences in the subcellular distributions of NOS isoforms.

Dose-dependent and combined effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK-801 and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor nitro-L-arginine on the survival of retinal ganglion cells in adult hamsters

This study investigated the effects of daily intraperitoneal injections of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK-801 and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor nitro-L-arginine （L-NA） on the survival of retinal ganglion cells （RGCs） at 1 and 2 weeks after unilateral optic nerve transection in adult hamsters. The left optic nerves of all animals were transected intraorbitally 1 mm from the optic disc and RGCs were retrogradely labeled with Fluorogold before they received different daily dosages of single MK-801 or L-NA as well as daily combinational treatments of these two chemicals. All experimental and control animals survived for 1 or 2 weeks after optic nerve transection. Our results revealed that the mean numbers of surviving RGCs increased and then decreased when the dosage of MK-801 （1.0, 3.0 and 4.5 mg/kg） and L-NA （1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 mg/kg） increased at both 1 and 2 weeks survival time points. Daily combinational use of 1.0 mg/kg MK-801 and 1.5 mg/kg L-NA lead to a highest RGC number that was even higher than the sum of the RGC numbers in 1.0 mg/kg MK-801 and 1.5 mg/kg L-NA subgroups at 2 weeks. These findings indicated that both MK-801 and L-NA can protect axotomized RGCs in a dose-dependent manner and combinational treatment of these chemicals possesses a potentiative and protective effect.

Panax notoginseng saponin attenuates hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced oxidative stress in cortical neurons

The present study monitored the effect of 2, 10, and 50 mg/L of Panax notoginseng saponin exposure following hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in fetal rat cortical neurons. Results showed that varying doses of Panax notoginseng saponin significantly enhanced the cell viability of neurons, reduced malondialdehyde content, increased superoxide dismutase activity, inhibited mRNA and protein expression of inducible and neuronal nitric oxide synthase, and decreased the release of nitric oxide in hypoxia/reoxygenation injured cells. In particular, 50 mg/L of Panax notoginseng saponin was the most effective dose. These findings suggest that Panax notoginseng saponin can attenuate neuronal oxidative stress injury caused by hypoxia/reoxygenation in a dose-dependent manner.

Oxidative damage of primary cultured hippocampal neurons Does androgen have an antagonistic effect?

BACKGROUND： Evidence illustrates that androgen has a neuroprotective role. However, whether androgen also has the protective effect on hippocampal neurons during free radical mediated injury remains unclear. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the neuroprotective effect of androgen on hippocampal neurons during free radical damage. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A controlled in vitro experiment was performed at the Department of Human Anatomy, Cell Culture Lab, and Neuroendocrinology Lab, Basic Medical School, Hebei Medical University from February to June 2009. MATERIALS： Testosterone was provided by Tianjin Jinyao Amino Acid Company, China. METHODS： Primary cultured neurons from 24 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups： control, H202, testosterone, and testosterone （pre-added） plus H2O2 groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The positive cell ratio of microtubule associated protein-Ⅱ and neuron specific enolase was determined by immunocytochemistry. Neuronal morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining. Cell vitality and viability were determined using an inverted phase contrast microscope. The content of nitric oxide synthase, malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase were measured with a spectrophotometer. RESULTS： As compared with the control group, cell vitality and viability, and superoxide dismutase level were significantly decreased in the H202 group （P 〈 0.05）, while nitric oxide synthase and malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased （P 〈 0.05）. Neuronal vitality and viability as well as superoxide dismutase level in the testosterone plus H2O2 group were significantly greater than in the H2O2 group （P 〈 0.05）, and nitric oxide synthase and malondialdehyde levels were significantly less than in the H2O2 group （P〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Androgen partially reversed H2O2-induced neuronal damage and protected neurons.

左旋精氨酸和氯化胆碱改善Aβ1-42诱导的痴呆大鼠学习记忆能力

目的:探讨中枢神经元型一氧化氮合酶(nNOS)和α7烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体(α7nAChR)在大鼠前额叶皮质和海马的表达变化以及对Aβ诱导的痴呆大鼠行为学的影响。方法:40只成年雄性SD大鼠均经侧脑室注射凝集态Aβ1-42制备痴呆模型,药物处理组分别注射一氧化氮(NO)前体左旋精氨酸(L-Arg)和(或)α7nAChR激动剂氯化胆碱(CC)。通过Y迷宫实验检测大鼠的空间学习和记忆功能,用免疫组织化学染色、Western Blot检测大鼠前额叶皮质和海马nNOS或α7nAChR的表达。结果:Aβ+L-Arg组或Aβ+CC组与Aβ+NS组比较,大鼠学习和记忆达标次数均减少(P<0.05或P<0.01),同时前额叶皮质和海马nNOS和α7nAChR表达均增加(P<0.05或P<0.01);与Aβ+L-Arg组或Aβ+CC组比较,联合用药的Aβ+L-Arg+CC组大鼠前额叶皮质和海马nNOS和α7nAChR表达水平均升高(P<0.05或P<0.01),同时学习和记忆达标次数均减少(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论:侧脑室联合注入L-Arg和CC可明显提高二者在单独应用时对痴呆大鼠nNOS和α7nAChR表达的上调作用及认知功能障碍的改善效果。推测,中枢nNOS与烟碱系统的协同作用更有利于提高痴呆大鼠的认知功能。

生姜提取物对染铝毒大鼠学习记忆功能和神经细胞结构的影响及其可能作用机制

目的分析生姜提取物(GRE)对铝染毒大鼠学习记忆功能及神经细胞结构的影响,并基于钙调蛋白依赖性蛋白激酶Ⅱ(CaMKⅡ)、神经元型一氧化氮合酶(nNOS)、蛋白激酶C(PKC)探讨其可能的作用机制。方法将36只SD雄性大鼠随机分为空白对照组、铝染毒组、临床药物组、低剂量GRE(L⁃GRE)组、中剂量GRE(M⁃GRE)组、高剂量GRE(H⁃GRE)组,每组6只大鼠。空白对照组大鼠自由饮用不含氯化铝的饮用水,其余组大鼠饮用含10 mg/mL结晶氯化铝的饮用水。3个月后给予空白对照组和铝染毒组大鼠灌胃生理盐水,临床药物组大鼠灌胃盐酸多奈哌齐溶液,分别给予L⁃GRE组、M⁃GRE组、H⁃GRE组大鼠灌胃100 mg/kg、200 mg/kg、400 mg/kg GRE溶液。持续干预4周后,采用Morris水迷宫实验评估大鼠的学习记忆功能,通过HE染色观察大鼠海马组织形态变化,分别采用实时荧光定量PCR和Western blot检测大鼠海马组织CaMKⅡ、nNOS、PKC mRNA和蛋白表达水平。结果(1)与空白对照组相比,铝染毒组大鼠的逃避潜伏期延长且穿越平台次数减少(P<0.05),海马组织的神经细胞皱缩,神经细胞数量明显减少,CaMKⅡ、nNOS、PKC的mRNA表达水平及nNOS、PKC的蛋白表达水平降低(P<0.05)。(2)与铝染毒组比,L⁃GRE组、M⁃GRE组和H⁃GRE组大鼠的逃避潜伏期缩短,临床药物组、M⁃GRE组、H⁃GRE组大鼠的穿越平台次数增加(P<0.05);各给药组大鼠海马组织病理形态有不同程度的改善;临床药物组大鼠的CaMKⅡ、nNOS和PKC mRNA表达水平升高,各剂量GRE组大鼠nNOS和PKC mRNA和蛋白表达水平升高(P<0.05)。(3)与临床药物组相比,M⁃GRE组和H⁃GRE组大鼠的逃避潜伏期,以及各剂量GRE组的穿越平台次数和目标象限停留时间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);各剂量GRE组大鼠海马组织病理形态改善程度更为明显;M⁃GRE组、H⁃GRE组大鼠的nNOS、PKC蛋白表达水平升高,L⁃GRE组大鼠的nNOS蛋白表达水平升高(P<0.05)。(4)各剂量GRE组组间大鼠逃避潜伏期、穿越平台次数及目标象限停留时间差异无统计意义(P>0.05);随GRE干预剂量增加,大鼠海马组织病理形态的改善效果越明显;H⁃GRE组大鼠的CaMKⅡmRNA表达水平高于L⁃GRE组(P<0.05)。结论GRE能够改善铝染毒大鼠的神经细胞结构和学习记忆功能,其中对神经细胞结构的改善效果优于盐酸多奈哌齐,对学习功能的改善效果与盐酸多奈哌齐相当。GRE的作用机制可能与拮抗铝所致CaMKⅡ、nNOS和PKC表达水平下降有关。

Research progress on neurobiology of neuronal nitric oxide synthase

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase （nNOS） is mainly expressed in neurons,to some extent in astrocytes and neuronal stem cells.The alternative splicing of nNOS mRNA generates 5 isoforms of nNOS,including nNOS-,nNOS-,nNOS-,nNOS-and nNOS-2.Monomer of nNOS is inactive,and dimer is the active form.Dimerization requires tetrahydrobiopterin （BH 4）,heme and L-arginine binding.Regulation of nNOS expression relies largely on cAMP response element-binding protein （CREB） activity,and nNOS activity is regulated by heat shock protein 90 （HSP90）/HSP70,calmodulin （CaM）,phosphorylation and dephosphorylation at Ser847 and Ser1412,and the protein inhibitor of nNOS （PIN）.There are primarily 9 nNOS-interacting proteins,including post-synaptic density protein 95 （PSD95）,clathrin assembly lymphoid leukemia （CALM）,calcium/calmodulindependent protein kinase II alpha （CAMKIIA）,Disks large homolog 4 （DLG4）,DLG2,6-phosphofructokinase,muscle type （PFK-M）,carboxy-terminal PDZ ligand of nNOS （CAPON） protein,syntrophin and dynein light chain （LC）.Among them,PSD95,CAPON and PFK-M are important nNOS adapter proteins in neurons.The interaction of PSD95 with nNOS controls synapse formation and is implicated in N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-induced neuronal death.nNOS-derived NO is implicated in synapse loss-mediated early cognitive/motor deficits in several neuropathological states,and negatively regulates neurogenesis under physiological and pathological conditions.

神经元型一氧化氮合酶在脑功能性疾病中的研究进展

神经元型一氧化氮合酶(nNOS)是神经系统中一种新近被认识的关键调控酶,与多种脑功能性疾病密切相关,其自身活性的平衡在脑功能性疾病的发生发展过程中起到了重要作用。因此,外源性nNOS的干预治疗可以在一定程度上改善某些脑功能性疾病。未来的研究将基于新的化合物,深入研究nNOS选择性抑制剂,以期改善脑功能性疾病的治疗效果。本文重点综述了nNOS在神经系统中的作用及最新进展。

人脐带间充质干细胞恢复糖尿病勃起功能障碍大鼠海绵体神经功能的实验研究

目的探索人脐带间充质干细胞通过再生修复海绵体神经对糖尿病大鼠勃起功能的改善作用。方法收集健康足月产新生儿脐带,提取分离人脐带间充质干细胞(hUCMSC)并鉴定表面标志物。通过高脂饮食联合腹腔注射链脲佐菌素(STZ)的方法诱导大鼠糖尿病,10周后选取高血糖大鼠进行阿扑吗啡(APO)试验,筛查、建立糖尿病引起的勃起功能障碍(DIED)大鼠模型。hUCMSC移植8周后,通过APO实验及最大海绵体内压/平均动脉压(ICP/MAP)评估大鼠勃起功能;通过免疫组化法分析大鼠海绵体组织中神经元型一氧化氮合酶(nNOS)水平;通过ELISA法检测各组大鼠阴茎组织中BDNF、NGF、VEGF和IGF-1神经营养生长因子的表达水平。结果第4代hUCMSC表面高表达CD73、CD90、CD105,低表达CD11b、CD19、CD34、CD45、HLA-DR。糖尿病引起的勃起功能障碍大鼠模型制备成功。海绵体内移植hUCMSC 8周后,APO实验表明hUCMSC可增加正常勃起的大鼠数量;中剂量和高剂量hUCMSC治疗后,相对于阴性对照组,ICP/MAP值升高,阴茎内血流灌注明显改善;免疫组化实验显示中剂量和高剂量hUCMSC治疗后,大鼠阴茎海绵体中nNOS水平明显增加,启动大鼠阴茎勃起;ELISA检测结果证实中剂量和高剂量hUCMSC治疗后,均能不同程度恢复DIED大鼠阴茎组织中BDNF、NGF、VEGF和IGF-1表达水平。结论hUCMSC是一种多功能的成体干细胞,经海绵体移植治疗高脂饮食联合STZ诱导的DIED大鼠是有效的,且有剂量依赖性。hUCMSC治疗DIED的机制与上调BDNF、NGF、VEGF和IGF-1表达水平提供的神经保护和再生修复作用有关。

Interplay between inflammation,immune system and neuronal pathways:Effect on gastrointestinal motility

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response representing the leading cause of death in critically ill patients,mostly due to multiple organ failure.The gastrointestinal tract plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of sepsisinduced multiple organ failure through intestinal barrier dysfunction,bacterial translocation and ileus.In this review we address the role of the gastrointestinal tract,the mediators,cell types and transduction pathways involved,based on experimental data obtained from models of inflammation-induced ileus and (preliminary) clinical data.The complex interplay within the gastrointestinal wall between mast cells,residential macrophages and glial cells on the one hand,and neurons and smooth muscle cells on the other hand,involves intracellular signaling pathways,Toll-like receptors and a plethora of neuroactive substances such as nitric oxide,prostaglandins,cytokines,chemokines,growth factors,tryptases and hormones.Multidirectional signaling between the different components in the gastrointestinal wall,the spinal cord and central nervous system impacts inflammation and its consequences.We propose that novel therapeutic strategies should target inflammation on the one hand and gastrointestinal motility,gas-trointestinal sensitivity and even pain signaling on the other hand,for instance by impeding afferent neuronal signaling,by activation of the vagal anti-inflammatory pathway or by the use of pharmacological agents such as ghrelin and ghrelin agonists or drugs interfering with the endocannabinoid system.