Abstract |
The possibility that nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the pathophysiology of brain injury caused by heat stress (HS) was examined using immunohistochemistry of a constitutive isoform of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (c-NOS) in a rat model. In addition, to discover the role of oxidative stress in inducing c-NOS activity in HS, the effect of a new antioxidant H-290/51 on HS-induced expression of c-NOS immunoreactivity was examined. Subjection of conscious young animals to a 4-h HS in a biological oxygen demand (BOD) incubator at 38 degrees C resulted in marked upregulation of c-NOS in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of stressed rats compared to normal rats kept at room temperature (21 +/- 1 degrees C). The c-NOS immunoreactivity was found in distorted neurons located in the edematous regions not normally showing c-NOS activity. Pretreatment with H-290/51 significantly attenuated the upregulation of c-NOS in animals subjected to HS, and the signs of neuronal distortion and edema were less pronounced. These results suggest that HS has the capacity to induce upregulation of c-NOS, and these effects can be reduced by prior treatment with H-290/51, indicating a possible neuroprotective effect of antioxidants in thermal brain injury.
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Authors | H S Sharma, J Westman, P Alm, P O Sjöquist, J Cervós-Navarro, F Nyberg |
Journal | Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
(Ann N Y Acad Sci)
Vol. 813
Pg. 581-90
(Mar 15 1997)
ISSN: 0077-8923 [Print] United States |
PMID | 9100937
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antioxidants
- H290-51
- Indoles
- Nitric Oxide
- Nitric Oxide Synthase
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Topics |
- Animals
- Antioxidants
(pharmacology)
- Brain Injuries
(enzymology)
- Cerebral Cortex
(enzymology)
- Heat Stress Disorders
(enzymology, physiopathology)
- Hippocampus
(enzymology)
- Indoles
(pharmacology)
- Male
- Nitric Oxide
(physiology)
- Nitric Oxide Synthase
(metabolism)
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
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