title: mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and neuronal nitric oxide synthase genes in meningitis patients.
abstract: Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses with various clinical symptoms. Although meningitis is not so prevalent, it remains the most serious contagious disease. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of gene expressions of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) on meningitis patients. Using samples taken from 61 meningitis patients, inducible NOS, endothelial NOS (eNOS), and neuronal NOS mRNA levels were assessed in both blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A control group was constructed of 64 healthy persons. The gene expression analysis was made using real-time polymerase chain reaction method. There was no neuronal NOS expression in either group, whereas inducible NOS expression was detected in 40 blood samples and 12 CSF samples from meningitis patients. However, there were no marked differences between groups (p=0.5104). eNOS expression was detected in all blood and CSF samples, which was markedly higher in patients (p=0.0367). Because the increase in eNOS expression increases NO production, eNOS expression in meningitis patients is of great importance. This increase of eNOS in meningitis patients compared with healthy subjects may lead to novel treatments for reducing the severity of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biology, University of Gaziantep, Gaziantep, Turkey. oztuzcu@gantep.edu.tr
authors.forename: Serdar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oztuzcu
authors.forename: Yusuf Ziya
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Igci
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arslan
authors.forename: Ercan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sivasli
authors.forename: Esma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ozkara
authors.forename: Mehri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Igci
authors.forename: Seniz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Demiryürek
authors.forename: Beyhan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cengiz
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gogebakan
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Namiduru
authors.forename: Mehmet Yavuz
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Coskun
authors.forename: Ecir Ali
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Cakmak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008581:Meningitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C496320:NOS1 protein, human; C496319:NOS2 protein, human; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III