腹膜淋巴孔与淋巴转归NO-cGMP-Ca2+信号转导途径研究

为研究一氧化氮(nitric oxide,NO)调节大鼠腹膜淋巴孔和淋巴吸收的细胞内信号转导机制,在体外培养的间皮细胞上,利用cGMP检测试剂盒和激光共聚焦扫描显微镜,研究NO对间皮细胞内cGMP和游离钙离子浓度(Ca^2 )的影响;并利用动物实验研究NO-cGMP-Ca^2 通路对大鼠腹膜淋巴孔和淋巴吸收的影响。结果发现：(1)与对照组相比,NO供体Sper NO （spermine／nitric oxide complex)可以剂量依赖性地升高间皮细胞内cGMP的浓度(P＜0．01)。此作用可被可溶性鸟苷酸环化酶(soluble guanylyl cyclase,sGC)特异性抑制剂1H-[1,2,4]噁二唑[4．3-a]喹喔啉-1-one酮(1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one,ODQ)阻断(P＜0．05,P＜0．01)。Sper／NO可使间皮细胞内[Ca^2 ],相对水平降低(P＜0．05),但此效应可被ODQ阻断;L-型电压依赖性钙通道阻滞剂nifedipine,可使细胞内的[Ca^2 ];在短时间内迅速明显下降(P＜0．05),达平衡后再加入Sper／NO并不能引起[Ca^2 ];的进一步改变(P＞0．05);(2)NO可以剂量依赖性地提高大鼠膈组织淋巴孔最大分布面积(P＜0．01)和对示踪剂的吸收量(P＜0．05),ODQ可明显抑制NO引起的淋巴孔和淋巴吸收的改变(P＜0．01)。该结果首次发现nifedipine能显著增加淋巴孔最大分布面积(P＜0．01)及膈组织对台盼蓝的吸收量(P＜O．05),而且nifedipine预处理后Sper／NO并不能使淋巴孔的淋巴吸收进一步升高(P＞0．05)。结果提示,NO可以通过降低cGMP水平降低大鼠腹膜间皮[Ca^2 ],且此过程和L-型电压依赖性钙通道有关;NO可通过NO-cGMP-[Ca^2 ],通路,促进淋巴孔的开放和吸收。     

Effects of simulated microgravity on nitric oxide level in cardiac myocytes and its mechanism

The depression of cardiac contractility induced by space microgravity is an important issue of aerospace medicine research, while its precise mechanism is still unknown. In the present study, we explored effects of simulated microgravity on nitric oxide (NO) level, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and related regulative mechanism using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. We found a remarkable increase of NO level and up-regulation of iNOS and iNOS mRNA expression in rat cardiac myocytes under simulated microgravity. Staurosporine (a nonselective protein kinase inhibitor), calphostin C (a selective protein kinase C inhibitor), partially inhibited the effect of simulated microgravity. Thus regulative effect of simulated microgravity on iNOS expression is mediated at least partially via activation of protein kinase C. These results indicate that NO system in cardiac myocytes is sensitive to simulated microgravity and may play an important role in the depression of cardiac contractility induced by simulated microgravity.     

Signal transduction by nitric oxide in cellular stress responses

Nitric oxide (NO) has received wide attention as a biological signaling molecule that uses cyclic GMP as a cellular second messenger. Other work has supported roles for cysteine oxidation or nitrosylation as signaling events. Recent studies in bacteria and mammalian cells now point to the existence of at least two other pathways independent of cGMP. For the E. coli SoxR protein, signaling occurs by nitrosylation of its binuclear iron-sulfur clusters, a reaction that is unprecedented in gene activation. In intact cells, these nitrosylated centers are very rapidly replaced by unmodified iron-sulfur clusters, a result that points to the existence of an active repair pathway for this type of protein damage. Exposure of mammalian cells to NO elicits an adaptive resistance that confers elevated resistance of the cells to higher levels of NO. This resistance in many cell types involves the important defense protein heme oxygenase 1, although the mechanism by which this enzyme mediates NO resistance remains unknown. Induction of heme oxygenase in some cell types occurs through the stabilization of its mRNA. NO-induced stabilization of mRNA is mediated by pre-existing proteins and points to the existence of an important new signaling pathway that counteracts the damage and stress exerted by this free radical.     

Effects of simulated microgravity on nitric oxide level in cardiac myocytes and its mechanism

Prolonged exposure to space microgravity results in cardiovascular deconditioning and the depression of cardiac contractility, while its mechanism is still unknown[1]. Thus study about ef-fects of microgravity on cardiac myocytes and related mechanism is an important issue in space medicine. It would also contribute to understanding effects of mechanical signal on signal transduction in cardiac myocytes and pathology of related diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) is a universal signal molecular in ce…     

2-aminopurine inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production by preventing IFN-beta production

2-aminopurine (2-AP) is widely used as a specific inhibitor for double stranded-RNA dependent protein kinase (PKR). Here we report that 2-AP can inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production through the prevention of interferon (IFN)-beta production. 2-AP significantly inhibited NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264 murine macrophage cells. 2-AP also reduced the expression of IFN-beta and IFN-inducible genes, such as IFN-gamma-inducible protein (IP)-10 and immune-responsive gene (IRG)-1, and the inducible type of NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA in response to LPS. The addition of exogenous IFN-beta restored 2-AP-inhibited NO production in response to LPS. On the other hand, there was only partial inhibition by 2-AP of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation, IL-6 mRNA expression and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha production. These results suggested that 2-AP inhibited LPS-induced IFN-beta production by preventing Toll/IL-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-beta (TRIF)-dependent signaling rather than myeloid differentiation factor (MyD) 88-dependent signaling, resulting in the inhibition of NO production.     

Interaction of caveolin-1, nitric oxide, and nitric oxide synthases in hypoxic human SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells

Neuroblastoma cells are capable of hypoxic adaptation, but the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. We hypothesized that caveolin-1 (cav-1), a plasma membrane signal molecule, might play a role in protecting neuroblastoma cells from oxidative injury by modulating nitric oxide (NO) production. We investigated the alterations of cav-1, cav-2, nitric oxide synthases (NOS), and NO levels in human SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells exposed to hypoxia with 2% [O2]. The major discoveries include: (i) cav-1 but not cav-2 was up-regulated in the cells exposed to 15 h of hypoxia; (ii) NO donor 1-[N, N-di-(2-aminoethyl) amino] diazen-1-ium-1, 2-diolate up-regulated the expression of cav-1, whereas the non-selective NOS inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitor 1400W each abolished the increase in cav-1 expression in the hypoxic SK-N-MC cells. These results suggest that iNOS-induced NO production contributes to the up-regulation of cav-1 in the hypoxic SK-N-MC cells. Furthermore, we studied the roles played by cav-1 in regulating NO, NOS, and apoptotic cell death in the SK-N-MC cells subjected to 15 h of hypoxic treatment. Both cav-1 transfection and cav-1 scaffolding domain peptide abolished the induction of iNOS, reduced the production of NO, and reduced the rates of apoptotic cell death in the hypoxic SK-N-MC cells. These results suggest that increased expression of cav-1 in response to hypoxic stimulation could prevent oxidative injury induced by reactive oxygen species. The interactions of cav-1, NO, and NOS could be an important signal pathway in protecting the neuroblastoma cells from oxidative injury, contributing to the hypoxic tolerance of neuroblastoma cells.     

Endogenous bacteria-triggered inducible nitric oxide synthase activation protects the ovariectomized rat stomach

Under experimental circumstances, ovariectomy attenuates gastric mucosal injury where nitric oxide (NO)-mediated pathways are involved. In this study, we have examined the changes in constitutive (cNOS) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) enzyme activities (assessed by the citrulline assay), and the role of endogenous bacteria in ovariectomy-provoked mucosal defence. Gastric lesions were induced by indomethacin (50 mg/kg, s.c.) over a 4 h period in sham-operated and ovariectomized female Wistar rats. Groups of animals received the wide-spectrum antibiotic ampicillin (800 mg/kg/day, p.o., for 3 days), and others were injected with bacterial endotoxin (E. coli, 3 mg/kg, i.v., 5 h before autopsy). We found that ovariectomy increased iNOS and decreased cNOS activity (resulting an elevated total gastric NOS level), and protected the stomach, effects reversed by ampicillin treatment. In ovary-intact rats, administration of bacterial endotoxin enhanced gastric iNOS activity and reduced lesion-formation. These results suggest that ovariectomy improves gastric mucosal defence perhaps by endogenous bacteria-triggered induction of iNOS.     

Modulation of nerve growth factor-induced activation of MAP kinase in PC12 cells by inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase

Nerve growth factor (NGF) increases expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isozymes leading to enhanced production of nitric oxide (NO). NOS inhibitors attenuate NGF-mediated increases in cholinergic gene expression and neurite outgrowth. Mechanisms underlying this are unknown, but the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway plays an important role in NGF signaling. Like NGF, NO donors activate Ras leading to phosphorylation of MAP kinase. The present study investigated the role of NO in NGF-mediated activation of MAP kinase in PC12 cells. Cells were treated with 50 ng/mL NGF to establish the temporal pattern for rapid and sustained activation phases of MAP kinase kinase (MEK)-1/2 and p42/p44-MAP kinase. Subsequently, cells were pretreated with NOS inhibitors Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methylester and s-methylisothiourea and exposed to NGF for up to 24 h. NGF-induced activation of MEK-1/2 and p42/p44-MAP kinase was not dependent on NO, but sustained phosphorylation of MAP kinase was modulated by NO. This modulation did not occur at the level of Ras-Raf-MEK signaling or require activation of cGMP/PKG pathway. NOS inhibitors did not affect NGF-mediated phosphorylation of MEK. Expression of constitutively active-MEKK1 in cells led to phosphorylation of p42/p44-MAP kinase and robust neurite outgrowth; constitutively active-MKK1 also caused differentiation with neurite extension. NOS inhibitor treatment of cells expressing constitutively active kinases did not affect MAP kinase activation, but neurite outgrowth was attenuated. NOS inhibitors did not alter NGF-mediated nuclear translocation of phospho-MAP kinase, but phosphorylated kinases disappeared more rapidly from NOS inhibitor-treated cells suggesting greater phosphatase activity and termination of sustained activation of MAP kinase.     

Role of nitric oxide dependence on nitric oxide synthase-like activity in the water stress signaling of maize seedling

Nitric oxide (NO) has been known as an important signal in plant antioxidative defense but its production and roles in water stress are less known. The present study investigated whether NO dependence on a NO synthase-lika (NOS) activity is involved in the signaling of drought-induced protective responses in maize seedlings. NOS activity, rate of NO release and drought responses were analyzed when NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP), NO scavenger c-PTIO (2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramathylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) and NOS inhibitor L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) were applied to both detached maize leaves and whole plants. Both NOS activity and the rate of NO release increased substantially under dehydration stress. The high NOS activity induced by c-PTIO as NO scavenger and NO accumulation Inhibited by NOS inhibitor L-NAME In dehydration-treated maize seedlings Indicated that most NO production under water deficit stress may be generated from NOS-like activity. After dehydration stress for 3 h, detached maize leaves pretreated with NO donor SNP maintained more water content than that of control leaves pretreated with water. This result was consistent with the decrease in the transpiration rate of SNP-treated leaves subjected to drought treatment for 3 h. Membrane permeability, a cell injury index, was lower in SNP-trested maize leaves under dehydration stress for 4 h when compared with the control leaves. Also, superoxide dismutsse (SOD) activity of SNP combined drought treatment maize leaves was higher than that of drought treatment alone, indicating that exogenous NO treatment alleviated the water loss and oxidative damage of maize leaves under water deficit stress. When c-PTIO as a specific NO scavenger was applied, the effects of applied SNP were overridden. Treatment with L-NAME on leaves also led to higher membrane permeability, higher transpiration rate and lower SOD activities than those of control leaves, indicating that NOS-like activity was involved in the antioxidative defense under water stress. These results suggested that NO dependence on NOS-like activity serves as a signaling component in the induction of protective responses and is associated with drought tolerance in maize seedlings.     

L-精氨酸脂质体对慢性低氧高二氧化碳大鼠一氧化氮及其合酶基因表达的影响

目的:探讨L-精氨酸脂质体(L-Arg)对慢性低氧高二氧化碳大鼠一氧化氮代谢及内皮型一氧化氮合酶基因(ecNOSmRNA)表达的影响.方法:将40只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组,正常对照组(NC组),低氧高二氧化碳4周组(HH组),低氧高二氧化碳加L-Arg4周组(HL组)和低氧高二氧化碳加L-Arg脂质体4周组(HP组).采用硝酸还原酶法测定血浆一氧化氮代谢产物(NOx-)含量,组织原位杂交、光镜和图像分析等方法观察肺细小动脉显微结构以及肺细小动脉ecNOSmRNA的表达变化.结果:①HH组mPAP和RV/(LV S)高于NC组,HP组均明显低于HL组与HH组;②HH组的血浆NO含量显著低于NC组(P＜0.01),HL组与HP组均明显高于HH组(P＜0.01);③HH组的肺细小动脉ecNOSmRNA的平均吸光度值低于NC组(P＜0.05);而HP组明显高于HH组和HL组(P＜0.01);④HP组的肺细小动脉管壁面积/管总面积比值(WA/TA)和中膜厚度(PAMT)均明显低于HH组(P＜0.01),且低于HL组(P＜0.05).结论:L-Arg脂质体较L-Arg有更明显的降低慢性低氧高二氧化碳大鼠肺动脉压和减轻肺血管重建的治疗作用,其机制可能与L-Arg脂质体促进L-Arg的跨膜转运有关.     

Heregulin upregulates the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-1 in rat cerebellar granule neurons via the ErbB4 receptor

Heregulin plays key roles in regulating cell number, determining fate and establishing pattern in the developing nervous system via specific receptors (ErbBs), including ErbB4. Two recent reports have shown that ErbB4 forms a complex with postsynaptic density proteins, which are, in turn, known to complex with nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-1. To reveal whether heregulin might regulate the expression of NOS-1, cultures enriched in cerebellar granule cells were exposed to heregulin for 72 h. This treatment resulted in an increase in NOS-1 protein (> 70%), an effect mediated by the ErbB4 receptor. While nitric oxide might mediate some of the downstream effects of heregulin in the nervous system, heregulin treatment neither enhanced granule cell survival, nor protected neurons from acute glutamate excitotoxicity.     

Enhancement of nitric oxide production by association of nitric oxide synthase with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors via postsynaptic density 95 in genetically engineered Chinese hamster ovary cells: real-time fluorescence imaging using nitric oxide sensitive dye

The current quantitative study demonstrates that the recruitment of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) beneath N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, via postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95) proteins significantly enhances nitric oxide (NO) production. Real-time single-cell fluorescence imaging was applied to measure both NO production and Ca(2+) influx in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing recombinant NMDA receptors (NMDA-R), nNOS, and PSD-95. We examined the relationship between the rate of NO production and Ca(2+) influx via NMDA receptors using the NO-reactive fluorescent dye, diaminofluorescein-FM (DAF-FM) and the Ca(2+)-sensitive yellow cameleon 3.1 (YC3.1), conjugated with PSD-95 (PSD-95-YC3.1). The presence of PSD-95 enhanced the rate of NO production by 2.3-fold upon stimulation with 100 microm NMDA in CHO1(+) cells (expressing NMDA-R, nNOS and PSD-95) when compared with CHO1(-) cells (expressing NMDA-R and nNOS lacking PSD-95). The presence of nNOS inhibitor or NMDA-R blocker almost completely suppressed this NMDA-stimulated NO production. The Ca(2+) concentration beneath the NMDA-R, [Ca(2+)](NR), was determined to be 5.4 microm by stimulating CHO2 cells (expressing NMDA-R and PSD-95-YC3.1) with 100 microm NMDA. By completely permealizing CHO1 cells with ionomycin, a general relationship curve of the rate of NO production versus the Ca(2+) concentration around nNOS, [Ca(2+)](NOS), was obtained over the wide range of [Ca(2+)](NOS). This sigmoidal curve had an EC(50) of approximately 1.2 microm of [Ca(2+)](NOS), implying that [Ca(2+)](NR) = 5.4 microm can activate nNOS effectively.     

甲醛炎性痛增强大鼠海马NOS表达和NO生成

目的：观察甲醛炎性痛过程中大鼠痛行为、海马一氧化氮合酶（NOS）活性及一氧化氮（NO）含量的变化以及变化的时程及区域特征。方法：采用辐射热甩尾法测定大鼠痛阈变化;采用NADPH—d组织化学法和硝酸还原酶法分别测定大鼠海马NOS表达和No含量。结果：皮下注射甲醛溶液后,大鼠出现伤害性感受反应及痛阈降低。注射甲醛后6h,海马CA1、CA2～3区及DG区NOS阳性细胞数目、阳性细胞染色深度均显著增加。海马NO含量亦显著增加;注射甲醛后12h时这些改变最为显著,48h时恢复至对照组水平。结论：甲醛炎性痛可诱导海马NOS活性增强及NO生成增多．这种改变可发生在海马各区．并具有一定的时程特征。     

鞘内注射神经激肽-1受体激动剂Sar-SP增强大鼠脊髓一氧化氮合酶表达和一氧化氮生成

探讨P物质(substance P,SP)对脊髓一氧化氮合酶(nitric oxide synthase,NOS)表达和一氧化氮(nitric oxide,NO)生成的影响。实验用热甩尾法测定大鼠痛阈的变化,分别应用NADPH-d组织化学法和硝酸还原法测定大鼠脊髓内NOS表达和NO生成的变化。结果显示,鞘内注射神经激肽-1受体(neurokinin-1 receptor,NK-1)激动剂[Sar^9,Met(O2)^11]-substance P(Sar-SP)可使大鼠痛阈降低,脊髓后角浅层和中央管周围灰质内NOS表达增强,脊髓腰膨大部位NO生成增多;预先鞘内注射非选择性NK-1受体拮抗剂[D—Arg^1,D-Trp^7,9,Leu^11]-substance P(spantide)可抑制上述变化。结果表明,SP可促进脊髓内NOS表达和NO生成。     

Estradiol induces physical association of neuronal nitric oxide synthase with NMDA receptor and promotes nitric oxide formation via estrogen receptor activation in primary neuronal cultures

Estrogens and nitric oxide (NO) exert wide-ranging effects on brain function. Recent evidence suggested that one important mechanism for the regulation of NO production may reside in the differential coupling of the calcium-activated neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) to glutamate NMDA receptor channels harboring NR2B subunits by the scaffolding protein post-synaptic density-95 (PSD-95), and that estrogens promote the formation of this ternary complex. Here, we demonstrate that 30-min estradiol-treatment triggers the production of NO by physically and functionally coupling NMDA receptors to nNOS in primary neurons of the rat preoptic region in vitro . The ability of estradiol to activate neuronal NO signaling in preoptic neurons and to promote changes in protein-protein interactions is blocked by ICI 182,780, an estrogen receptor antagonist. In addition, blockade of NMDA receptor NR2B subunit activity with ifenprodil or disruption of PSD-95 synthesis in preoptic neurons by treatment with an anti-sense oligodeoxynucleotide inhibited the estradiol-promoted stimulation of NO release in cultured preoptic neurons. Thus, estrogen receptor-mediated stimulation of the nNOS/PSD-95/NMDA receptor complex assembly is likely to be a critical component of the signaling process by which estradiol facilitates coupling of glutamatergic fluxes for NO production in neurons.     

The role of alanine synthesis and nitrate-induced nitric oxide production during hypoxia stress in Cucurbita pepo nectaries

Floral nectar is a sugary solution produced by nectaries to attract and reward pollinators. Nectar metabolites, such as sugars, are synthesized within the nectary during secretion from both pre-stored and direct phloem-derived precursors. In addition to sugars, nectars contain nitrogenous compounds such as amino acids; however, little is known about the role(s) of nitrogen (N) compounds in nectary function. In this study, we investigated N metabolism in Cucurbita pepo (squash) floral nectaries in order to understand how various N-containing compounds are produced and determine the role of N metabolism in nectar secretion. The expression and activity of key enzymes involved in primary N assimilation, including nitrate reductase (NR) and alanine aminotransferase (AlaAT), were induced during secretion in C. pepo nectaries. Alanine (Ala) accumulated to about 35% of total amino acids in nectaries and nectar during peak secretion; however, alteration of vascular nitrate supply had no impact on Ala accumulation during secretion, suggesting that nectar(y) amino acids are produced by precursors other than nitrate. In addition, nitric oxide (NO) is produced from nitrate and nitrite, at least partially by NR, in nectaries and nectar. Hypoxia-related processes are induced in nectaries during secretion, including lactic acid and ethanolic fermentation. Finally, treatments that alter nitrate supply affect levels of hypoxic metabolites, nectar volume and nectar sugar composition. The induction of N metabolism in C. pepo nectaries thus plays an important role in the synthesis and secretion of nectar sugar.     

Inhibitory alkaloids from Dictamnus dasycarpus root barks on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in BV2 cells

The methanolic extract of Dictamnus dasycarpus root barks afforded one new glycosidic quinoline alkaloid, 3-[1β-hydroxy-2-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-ethyl)-4-methoxy-2(1H)-quinolinone (1), together with nine known compounds, preskimmianine (2), 8-methoxy-N-methylflindersine (3), dictamine (4), γ-fagarine (5), halopine (6), skimmianine (7), dictangustine-A (8), iso-γ-fagarine (9), isomaculosidine (10). The isolated alkaloids significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 cells. Among them, compounds 3 and 7 showed the most potent inhibitory activities on LPS-induced NO production.     

Inhibition of cerebellar nitric oxide synthase and cyclic GMP production by melatonin via complex formation with calmodulin

Constitutive rat cerebellar nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity is shown to be inhibited by physiological concentrations of the pineal hormone melatonin. The inhibition was dose-dependent and was coupled to an inhibition of the cyclic GMP production activated by L-arginine. Results also show that calmodulin appears to be involved in this process because its presence in the incubation medium was able to prevent the effect of melatonin on both NOS activity and cyclic GMP production. Moreover, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis studies suggest that melatonin can interact with calmodulin modifying the binding of the peptide to the synthetic NOS peptide encompassing the calmodulin-binding domain of constitutive NOS from rat cerebellum, the natural mechanism by which calmodulin activates cerebellar NOS. J. Cell. Biochem. 65:430–442. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase protects neuroblastoma cells from oxidative stress mediated by garlic derivatives

In this study, we further examined the effects of diallyl disulfide (DADS), one of the major components of oil-soluble garlic extracts (GE) and of raw water GE on SH-SY5Y and NSC34 neuronal cell lines. Both treatments with DADS and GE were able to induce growth arrest and apoptosis, and we observed an increased flux of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species as early signs of cytotoxicity. We demonstrated that the content of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) increased as early as 1 h of treatment demonstrating to be a very early sensor of DADS and GE cytotoxicity. Treatments with L-nitropropyl-arginine, an inhibitor of nNOS, increased the rate of apoptosis whereas the overexpression of nNOS significantly reduced cell death by inhibiting DNA damage, protein oxidation, and the activation of the JNK/c-Jun apoptotic signaling cascade. Overall these results demonstrate that garlic derivatives may modulate nNOS and suggest an important contribution of nitric oxide in counteracting their reactive oxygen species-mediated cytotoxicity.     

Frontal cortical afferents facilitate striatal nitric oxide transmission in vivo via a NMDA receptor and neuronal NOS-dependent mechanism

Striatal nitric oxide (NO) signaling plays a critical role in modulating neural processing and motor behavior. Nitrergic interneurons receive synaptic inputs from corticostriatal neurons and are activated via ionotropic glutamate receptor stimulation. However, the afferent regulation of NO signaling is poorly characterized. The role of frontal cortical afferents in regulating NO transmission was assessed in anesthetized rats using amperometric microsensor measurements of NO efflux and local field potential recordings. Low frequency (3 Hz) electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral cortex did not consistently evoke detectable changes in striatal NO efflux. In contrast, train stimulation (30 Hz) of frontal cortical afferents facilitated NO efflux in a stimulus intensity-dependent manner. Nitric oxide efflux evoked by train stimulation was transient, reproducible over time, and attenuated by systemic administration of either the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 or the neuronal NO synthase inhibitors 7-nitroindazole and NG-propyl-L-arginine. The interaction between NO efflux evoked via train stimulation and local striatal neuron activity was assessed using dual microsensor and local field potential recordings carried out concurrently in the contralateral and ipsilateral striatum, respectively. Systemic administration of the non-specific NO synthase inhibitor methylene blue attenuated both evoked NO efflux and the peak oscillation frequency (within the delta band) of local field potentials recorded immediately after train stimulation. Taken together, these observations indicate that feed-forward activation of neuronal NO signaling by phasic activation of frontal cortical afferents facilitates the synchronization of glutamate driven oscillations in striatal neurons. Thus, NO signaling may act to amplify coherent corticostriatal transmission and synchronize striatal output.