Expression of inducible nitric oxide-synthase in the vestibular system of hydropic guinea pigs.
Immunohistochemical investigations of the guinea pig vestibular system, using a specific antibody to the inducible isoform of NO-synthase (iNOS/NOS II), have been performed 3 weeks after surgical closure of the right endolymphatic duct (n = 7). Endolymphatic hydrops (ELH) of the right temporal bone became evident by excavation of the Reissner's membrane in all seven animals. Those animals revealed iNOS-expression in ganglion cells, in the wall of blood vessels and in nerve fibers of the right vestibular system, while the corresponding left temporal bones and temporal bones of non-operated controls (n = 6) as well as of sham-operated animals (n = 3) did not show any iNOS-positive structures. iNOS-generated NO could be involved in the pathophysiology of vestibular dysfunction in Meniere's disease.
D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000201:enzymology; D018159:Endolymphatic Hydrops / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005724:Ganglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000201:enzymology; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D012016:Reference Values; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000098:blood supply / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000294:innervation