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. 2002 Jun;8(3):537-9.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v8.i3.537.

Distribution of constitutive nitric oxide synthase in the jejunum of adult rat

Yan-Min Chen  1 , Zhong-Ming Qian, Jian Zhang, Yan-Zhong Chang, Xiang-Lin Duan
Affiliations

Distribution of constitutive nitric oxide synthase in the jejunum of adult rat

Yan-Min Chen et al. World J Gastroenterol. 2002 Jun.

Abstract

Aim: To study the distribution of the constitutive nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the jejunum of adult rat.

Methods: The distribution of endothelial NOS (eNOS) was detected by immunohistochemistry. Immunofluorescence histochemical dual staining technique were used for studying the distribution of neuronal NOS (nNOS) and eNOS. The dual stained slides were observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope.

Results: Positive neuronal NOS (nNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) cells were found to be distributed in lamina propria of villi, and the epithelial cell was not stained. eNOS was mainly located in submucosal vascular endothelia, while nNOS was mainly situated in myenteric plexus. Some cells in the villi had both nNOS and eNOS. More than 80% of the cells were positive for both nNOS and eNOS, the rest cells were positive either for nNOS or for eNOS.

Conclusion: The two constitutive nitric oxide synthases are distributed differently in the jejunum of rat. nNOS distributed in myenteric plexus is a neurotransmitter in the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) inhibitory nerves. eNOS distributed in endothelial and smooth muscle cells of blood vessels plays vasodilator role. eNOS and nNOS are coexpressed in some cells of lamina propria of villi. NO generated by those NOS is very important in the physiological and pathological process of small intestine.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Immunohistochemical stain of eNOS in jejunal submucosa, showing the positive endothelium (↑) and microvascular smooth muscle (▲). × 170
Figure 2
Figure 2
Immunohistochemical stain of eNOS in jejunal villi, showing the positive cell in the proper layer (↑). × 170
Figure 3
Figure 3
Immunofluorescence histochemical double-stain in jejunum observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope, (a) showing the positive substances of nNOS were distributed mainly in myenteric plexus. × 350 (b) and (c) showing the nNOS-positive cell (▲), the eNOS-positive cell (★) and double-stained cell (↑) in the proper layer of villi. × 250
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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