Abstract | AIM: METHODS: nNOS-IR was detected by immunohistochemistry and the level of nNOS protein was determined by the Western blot analysis. The tail-flick reflex was tested by a noxious thermal stimulus delivered to the tail of experimental animals. After surgery, experimental animals survived for 7 days. RESULTS: A significant increase in the level of nNOS protein was found 1 week after thoracic transection in the L2-L6 segments. Immunohistochemical analysis discovered that this increase may be a result of (1) a high nNOS-IR in a large number of axons, located predominantly in the dorsal columns (DCs) of lower lumbosacral segments, and (2) a slight increase of density in nNOS-IR in motoneurons. On the other hand the number of nNOS-IR neurons in the superficial dorsal horn and in area surrounded the central canal (CC) was greatly reduced. The tail-flick response was immediate in animals after spinal transection, while control rats responded to thermal stimulus with a slight delay. However, the tail-flick latency in experimental animals was significantly higher than in control. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that transection of the spinal cord significantly influences nNOS-IR in neuronal circuitry that underlies the tail-flick reflex activity.
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Authors | Alexandra Dávidová, Andrea Schreiberová, Dalibor Kolesár, L'udmila Capková, Ol'ga Krizanová, Nadezda Lukácová |
Journal | Cellular and molecular neurobiology
(Cell Mol Neurobiol)
Vol. 29
Issue 6-7
Pg. 879-86
(Sep 2009)
ISSN: 1573-6830 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 19291395
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Nitric Oxide Synthase
- Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
- Nos1 protein, rat
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Topics |
- Animals
- Blotting, Western
- Immunohistochemistry
- Male
- Nitric Oxide Synthase
(metabolism)
- Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
- Pain Measurement
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Reflex
(physiology)
- Spinal Cord Injuries
(metabolism, physiopathology)
- Tail
(physiology)
- Thoracic Vertebrae
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