Continuous observation of nitric oxide production in the fetal rat brain during uteroplacental ischemia.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate real-time changes in nitric oxide (NO) production within fetal rat brain during uteroplacental ischemia and subsequent reperfusion.


METHODS
Using a selective microsensor for NO, changes in NO electrocurrent in the brains of 10 fetal rats at gestational day 20 were observed during and after 30 min occlusion of uterine vessels in anesthetized pregnant rats.


RESULTS
The NO electrocurrent reached 397 +/- 71.0% of the control level 30 min after occlusion and increased throughout the observation (p < 0.05) until placental administration of 1 M of L-NAME. In contrast, no significant changes in NO electrocurrent were found in 7 sham operated rats.


CONCLUSIONS
An NO-specific microelectric sensor detected excessive NO production by fetal rat brains in response to uteroplacental ischemia.
Asakura
H
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan. asakura.hirobumi@om.nms.ac.jp
Nakai
A
A
Yokota
A
A
Sekiguchi
A
A
Koshino
T
T
Araki
T
T
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004566:Electrodes; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D007511:Ischemia / Q000378:metabolism*; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply; D021041:Placental Circulation; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D010100:Oxygen; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester