[Chronic mild stress stimulates nitric oxide production in rat brain cortex and hippocampus].
To evaluate the nitric oxide (NO) levels in rat brain cortex and hippocampus after chronic mild stress.



Sixteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into control group and model group randomly. Model rats were induced by consecutive chronic mild stress; weight gain, open field test and sucrose solution consumption were investigated before and after procedure. Nitric oxide contents in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were determined by spectrophotometric assays.



Decreased locomotion, loss of interest and anhedonia were observed in chronic mild stress rat model group. Nitric oxide contents in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were significantly higher in chronic mild stress group [(31.00 +/-2.55)nmol/mg.pro and (38.11 +/-1.73)nmol/mg.pro, respectively] than those in control group [(26.97 +/-1.38)nmol/mg.pro and (36.06 +/-0.87)nmol/mg.pro, respectively] (P <0.05).



Chronic stress can stimulate NO release, and dysfunction of nitric oxide pathway may be involved in development of depression.
Li
Hui-Chun
HC
Department of Psychiatry, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China. zrjsk@zju.edu.cn
Chen
Qiao-Zhen
QZ
Qian
Lie
L
D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*
D009569:Nitric Oxide