title: Neuronal nitric oxide synthase is crucial for ganglion cell death in rat retinal explant cultures.
abstract: We examined possible involvement of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) on ganglion cell death in explant cultures of neonatal rat retina. Survival of retinal ganglion cells was significantly prolonged by a broad-spectrum NOS inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methylester. NADPH diaphorase staining revealed a diffused distribution of NOS activity in neuropils of the inner plexiform layer as well as several neurons in the inner nuclear layer. Moreover, 7-nitroindazole but not aminoguanidine promoted the survival of retinal ganglion cells. These results suggest a crucial role of neuronal NOS-derived nitric oxide in retinal ganglion cell death.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Katsuki
authors.forename: Rie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nakata
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kume
authors.forename: Akinori
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akaike
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007191:Indazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D019581:Neuropil / Q000201:enzymology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007191:Indazoles; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; C496322:Nos1 protein, rat; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase; C080122:7-nitroindazole; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester