Astrocytes rather than neurones mediate interleukin-1beta dependent nitric oxide and superoxide radical release in primary hypothalamic rat cell cultures.
The cellular sources of nitric oxide in the hypothalamus are thought to be 'NOergic' neurones. Using free radical electrochemical sensors we investigated nitric oxide and superoxide radical release in primary hypothalamic cell cultures. We present evidence that under interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) stimulation hypothalamic astrocytes rather than neurones release nitric oxide. Under L-arginine deprivation and IL-1beta stimulation a concentration-dependent release of superoxide was also observed, which was inhibited in the presence of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor nitro-L-argininemethyl-ester. These findings support the hypothesis that the balance between nitric oxide and superoxide may be of vital importance in hypothalamic pathophysiology.
Tolias
C M
CM
The Sir Quinton Hazell Molecular Medicine Research Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK. christostolias@compuserve.com
McNeil
C J
CJ
Kazlauskaite
J
J
Hillhouse
E W
EW
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007375:Interleukin-1; D013481:Superoxides; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; C496322:Nos1 protein, rat; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester