Role of nitric oxide synthase inhibition in leukocyte-endothelium interaction in the rat pial microvasculature.
We investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO) in leukocyte-endothelium interaction, blood-brain barrier (BBB) function and oxygen free-radical production in the rat pial microcirculation. In a closed cranial window preparation (dura removed) over the parietal cortex of pentobarbital-anesthetized Wistar rats, NO synthase (NOS) was inhibited by systemic and/or topical application of N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) under physiological conditions and during leukotriene B4 (LTB4) activation. Circulating leukocytes were labeled by intravenous injection of rhodamine 6G. We used a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and studied leukocyte rolling and sticking in pial veins and arteries before and after NOS inhibition. At the end of the experiments, sodium-fluorescein was injected intravenously to test BBB integrity. Brain cortex oxygen free-radical production was investigated in the cranial window preparation using lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL). L-NNA application did not lead to significant changes in leukocyte-endothelium interaction, BBB function, and oxygen free-radical production under physiological conditions [leukocyte-endothelium interaction: control (n = 5), L-NNA systemically (n = 5), L-NNA topically (n = 5): at baseline rollers/100 microns: 0.76 +/- 0.55, 0.64 +/- 0.94, 0.44 +/- 0.55 and stickers/100 microns: 0.90 +/- 0.28, 0.76 +/- 0.24, 0.84 +/- 0.42; at 60 min rollers/100 microns: 1.49 +/- 0.66, 1.21 +/- 0.99, 0.67 +/- 0.66 and stickers/100 microns: 1.04 +/- 0.20, 1.19 +/- 0.23, 1.21 +/- 0.54; oxygen free-radical production (n = 4): CL count before L-NNA application 35 +/- 17 cps, after 1 h of topical superfusion of L-NNA 38 +/- 14 cps; p < 0.05]. In contrast to the results achieved under physiological conditions, a significant further increase of rolling leukocytes and BBB permeability occurred due to NOS inhibition under LTB4-activated conditions [76 +/- 47% significant (p < or = 0.01, n = 7) further increase of rollers/100 microns due to 60 min L-NNA application following the activation period of 120 min LTB4 superfusion]. Our results support a modulatory role for NO in leukocyte-endothelium interaction and BBB permeability in the pial microcirculation when this interaction is increased.
Department of Neurology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
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U
Lindauer
J
J
Dreier
K
K
Angstwurm
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Rubin
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Villringer
K M
KM
Einhäupl
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Dirnagl
D000818:Animals; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D019335:Nitroarginine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019335:Nitroarginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase