Journal
NEUROSCIENCE
Volume 142, Issue 3, Pages 799-808Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.07.046
Keywords
cerebral cortex; hypobaric hypoxia; inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase; nitrergic system
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Exposure to hypobaric hypoxia produces neuropsychological disorders. The brain nitrergic system was investigated following hypobaric hypoxia in the presence or absence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors. Adult rats were exposed to a simulated altitude of 8325 m (27,000 ft) for 7 In and killed after 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 days of recovery. In addition to normobaric controls, three experimental groups were studied: i) subjected to hypobaric hypoxia without inhibitors; ii) subjected to hypobaric hypoxia and treated with 7-nitroindazole; iii) subjected to hypobaric hypoxia and treated with N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Cerebral cortex was assayed by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and enzymatic assays. In animals subjected to hypobaric hypoxia without inhibitors, there was an increase in neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) immunoreactivity and Ca2+-dependent NOS activity from 0 to 1 days of reoxygenation. In these animals, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and Ca2+-independent activity were undetectable, but nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity was found in some neurons. Administration of either inhibitor prevented the increase in nNOS immunoreactivity and enzymatic activity provoked by hypobaric hypoxia. Concomitantly, nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity decreased progressively. In conclusion, activation of the nitrergic system constitutes a cortical response to hypobaric hypoxia and the administration of NOS inhibitors could provide new therapeutic avenues to prevent and/or treat the symptoms produced by hypobaric hypoxia. (c) 2006 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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