[Changes of neuronal nitric oxide synthase-immunopositive neurons in the central amygdaloid nucleus of spontaneously hypertensive rats].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the changes of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-immunopositive neurons in the central amygdaloid nucleus of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).


METHODS
Thirty SHRs and 30 Wistar-Koyto rats (WKYs) were sacrificed at the ages of 90, 180, and 360 days respectively to observe the changes of nNOS-immunopositive neurons with ABC immunocytochemical assay.


RESULTS
No significant changes were observed in the blood pressure of WKY rats at the specified time points, when SHRs maintained significantly higher blood pressures from 20.8+/-1.1 and 26.3+/-1.0 kPa (P<0.05), gradually increasing during the development of hypertension. The nNOS-immunopositive neurons in the central amygdaloid nucleus were of moderate sizes with long intersected nerve fibers. No significant changes were found in WKY rats. The number of the positive neurons decreased with age in SHRs, especially obvious at 360 days (P<0.05), which was significantly different from that in the WKYs (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The reduction of nNOS-immunopositive neurons in the central amygdaloid nucleus of SHRs might accelerate the development of hypertension by modulating the cardiovascular function and sensory transmission.
Shen
Wei-zai
WZ
Department of Anatomy, Medical College, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou 510630, China. tshenwz@jnu.edu.cn
Guo
Guo-qing
GQ
Yu
Jing
J
D000367:Age Factors; D000679:Amygdala / Q000201:enzymology*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006973:Hypertension / Q000201:enzymology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY
D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I