title: Neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunopositive neurons in cat claustrum--a light and electron microscopic study.
abstract: Nitric oxide is a unique neurotransmitter, which participates in many physiological and pathological processes in the organism. Nevertheless there are little data about the neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase immunoreactive (nNOS-ir) neurons and fibers in the dorsal claustrum (DC) of a cat. In this respect the aims of this study were: (1) to demonstrate nNOS-ir in the neurons and fibers of the DC; (2) to describe their light microscopic morphology and distribution; (3) to investigate and analyze the ultrastructure of the nNOS-ir neurons, fibers and synaptic terminals; (4) to verify whether the nNOS-ir neurons consist a specific subpopulation of claustral neurons; (5) to verify whether the nNOS-ir neurons have a specific pattern of organization throughout the DC. For demonstration of the nNOS-ir the Avidin-Biotin-Peroxidase Complex method was applied. Immunopositive for nNOS neurons and fibers were present in all parts of DC. On the light microscope level nNOS-ir neurons were different in shape and size. According to the latter they were divided into three groups-small (with diameter under 15 microm), medium-sized (with diameter from 16 to 20 microm) and large (with diameter over 21 microm). Some of nNOS-ir neurons were lightly-stained while others were darkly-stained. On the electron microscope level the immunoproduct was observed in neurons, dendrites and terminal boutons. Different types of nNOS-ir neurons differ according to their ultrastructural features. Three types of nNOS-ir synaptic boutons were found. As a conclusion we hope that the present study will contribute to a better understanding of the functioning of the DC in cat and that some of the data presented could be extrapolated to other mammals, including human.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Histology, Medical University, 1431, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Dimka
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hinova-Palova
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Edelstein
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paloff
authors.forename: Stanislav
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hristov
authors.forename: Vassil
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Papantchev
authors.forename: Wladimir
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ovtscharoff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I