title: Distribution of inducible nitric oxide synthase in ulcerative colitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate reports that the biosynthesis of nitric oxide (NO) is increased in the colonic mucosa of patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC), which suggests that serum NOx levels may be an important indicator of UC activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  To determine the role of NO within the colon, we purchased polyclonal antibodies against human-inducible NO synthase (iNOS). We then examined the distribution of iNOS-reactive cells in UC colon tissues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In specimens from 12 UC patients, iNOS-positive neutrophils and macrophages were observed at the base of the ulcer but not in distant areas in the active stage. iNOS expression in colon mucosa was virtually absent during the inactive stage of UC and within the colon of patients with non-UC colitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that NO in colonic mucosa may play a potential role in the pathogenesis of UC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Tokyo Women's Medical College, Shinjuku-ku, Japan.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kasajima
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ishiyama
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimojo
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takeo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishikawa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kameoka
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hiroe
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mitsunaga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D003106:Colon / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase