Nitric oxide synthase expression in ischemic rat retinas.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the ischemic retina.


METHODS
Retinal ischemia was induced in rats by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) for various lengths of time. Using the retina after BCCAO, expression of neuronal NOS (nNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) and identification of their positive cells were studied by histological and immunohistochemical examinations.


RESULTS
Histological examinations revealed significant reduction in the thickness of the inner plexiform layer and the outer plexiform layer of the retina. Expression of nNOS was detected in retinal ganglion cells, amacrine cells, and Müller cells after BCCAO. The expression of nNOS and iNOS detected in Müller cells became stronger and persisted long after BCCAO.


CONCLUSIONS
In the ischemic retina, Müller cells and retinal ganglion cells expressed nNOS and iNOS. These phenomena may be involved in the ischemic damage to the retina.
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
M
M
Kobayashi
T
T
Kuroiwa
R
R
Shimokawa
R
R
Okeda
T
T
Tokoro
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D007511:Ischemia / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012171:Retinal Vessels
D015415:Biomarkers; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496322:Nos1 protein, rat; C496318:Nos2 protein, rat