[Effect of nitric oxide in vestibular compensation].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of nitric oxide (NO) in vestibular compensation after unilateral vestibular deafferentation.


METHODS
Eighteen animals were divided into two groups, 6 of group a as control, 12 of group b received gentamicin intratympanic injection in the left ear. Half of the animals were killed respectively after 5 days and 10 days. Vestibular endorgan and brainstem tissue sections were subjected to NADPH-d reactive test of NOS for histochemical examination.


RESULTS
In group a, NOS-like reactivity in both sides of vestibular endorgan and nucli. In group b during 5 days, NOS-like reactivity in right side of vestibular endorgan and nucli, those of the left side were negative. During 10 days, NOS-like reactivity only in the right side of vestibular endorgan.


CONCLUSIONS
Changes of NOS expression in the contralateral vestibular nucli might have played a role in vestibular compensation.
Jiang
Zi-dong
ZD
Department of Otolaryngology, PUMC Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730, China. zidongjiangcn@yahoo.com.cn
Zhang
Lian-shan
LS
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D014725:Vestibular Nerve / Q000378:metabolism; D014726:Vestibular Nuclei / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*
D005839:Gentamicins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase