Region-specific alterations of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression in the amygdala of the aged rats.
Although many amygdalar functions are altered by aging, little is known about their mechanisms. As these functions are related with nitric oxide (NO), we examined neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression in the amygdala of the aged rats via immunohistochemical technique. We found that nNOS immunoreactive neurons are decreased in almost all amygdalar areas of the aged rats, while nNOS immunoreactivity of the neuropil is significantly increased in the amygdalar nuclei related with main and accessory olfactory system. These suggest altered levels of NO might provide region-specific mechanisms of many physiological and behavioral deficits of the amygdala developed by aging. However, exact effects of these changes require further elucidation.
Joo
Kyeung Min
KM
Department of Anatomy, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 28 Yongon-Dong, Chongno-Gu, Seoul 110-799, South Korea.
Chung
Yoon Hee
YH
Shin
Chung Min
CM
Lee
Yun Jung
YJ
Cha
Choong Ik
CI
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000679:Amygdala / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D000818:Animals; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; C496322:Nos1 protein, rat