Delayed Treatment With Low-intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in an Irreversible Rat Model of Stress Urinary Incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcomes and mechanisms of delayed low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) in a rat model of irreversible stress urinary incontinence (SUI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups: sham control, vaginal balloon dilation + ß-aminopropionitrile (BAPN; SUI group), and vaginal balloon dilation + BAPN + treatment with Li-ESWT (SUI-Li-ESWT group). An irreversible SUI model was developed by inhibiting the urethral structural recovery with BAPN daily for 5 weeks. Thereafter, in the SUI-Li-ESWT group, Li-ESWT was administered twice per week for 2 weeks. After a 1-week washout, all 24 rats were evaluated with functional and histologic studies at 17 weeks of age. Endogenous progenitor cells were detected via the EdU-labeling method. RESULTS: Functional analysis with leak point pressure testing showed that the SUI-Li-ESWT group had significantly higher leak point pressures compared with untreated rats. Increased urethral and vaginal smooth and striated muscle content and increased thickness of the vaginal wall were noted in the SUI-Li-ESWT group. The SUI group had significantly decreased neuronal nitric oxide /tyrosine hydroxylase positive nerves ratio in the smooth muscle layers of the urethra, while the SUI-Li-ESWT group had neuronal nitric oxide/tyrosine hydroxylase+ nerves ratio similar to that of the control group. The continuality of urothelial cell lining was also improved in the SUI-Li-ESWT group. In addition, there were significantly increased EdU-positive cells in the SUI-Li-ESWT group. CONCLUSION: Li-ESWT appears to increase smooth muscle content in the urethra and the vagina, increase the thickness of urethral wall, improve striated muscle content and neuromuscular junctions, restore the integrity of the urothelium, and increase the number of EdU-retaining progenitor cells in the urethral wall.

CD73 Controls Extracellular Adenosine Generation in the Trigeminal Nociceptive Nerves.

Purinergic signaling is involved in pain generation and modulation in the nociceptive sensory nervous system. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) induces pain via activation of ionotropic P2X receptors while adenosine mediates analgesia via activation of metabotropic P1 receptors. These purinergic signaling are determined by ecto-nucleotidases that control ATP degradation and adenosine generation. Using enzymatic histochemistry, we detected ecto-AMPase activity in dental pulp, trigeminal ganglia (TG) neurons, and their nerve fibers. Using immunofluorescence staining, we confirmed the expression of ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73) in trigeminal nociceptive neurons and their axonal fibers, including the nociceptive nerve fibers projecting into the brainstem. In addition, we detected the existence of CD73 and ecto-AMPase activity in the nociceptive lamina of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (TSNC) in the brainstem. Furthermore, we demonstrated that incubation with specific anti-CD73 serum significantly reduced the ecto-AMPase activity in the nociceptive lamina in the brainstem. Our results indicate that CD73 might participate in nociceptive modulation by affecting extracellular adenosine generation in the trigeminal nociceptive pathway. Disruption of TG neuronal ecto-nucleotidase expression and axonal terminal localization under certain circumstances such as chronic inflammation, oxidant stress, local constriction, and injury in trigeminal nerves may contribute to the pathogenesis of orofacial neuropathic pain.

Age-related ultrastructural and monoamine oxidase changes in the rat optic nerve.

The aim of this paper is to study the morphology and the distribution of the monoamine oxidase enzymatic system in the optic nerve of 4 month-old Wistar (young) and 28 month-old Wistar (old) rats. The optic nerve was harvested from 20 young and old rats. The segment of optic nerve was divided longitudinally into two pieces, each 0.1 mm in length. The first piece was used for transmission electron microscopy. The second piece was stained with histochemical reaction for monoamine oxidase. The agerelated changes in the optic nerve of rats include micro-anatomical details, ultrastructure and monoamine oxidase histochemical staining. A strong decrease of the thin nerve fibers and a swelling of the thick ones can be observed in optic nerve fibers of old rats. Increased monoamine oxidase histochemical staining of the optic nerve of aged rats is well demonstrated. The increase of meningeal shealth and the decrease of thin nerve fibers of the optic nerve in old rats are well documented. Morphological, ultrastructural and histochemical changes observed in optic nerve fibers of the old rats show a close relation with aging.

Expression of ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase3 (NTPDase3) in the female rat brain during postnatal development.

Nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase3 (NTPDase3) is membrane-bound ecto-enzyme which hydrolyzes extracellular ATP, thus modulating the function of purinergic receptors and the pattern of purinergic signaling. Here we analyzed the developmental expression of NTPDase3 in female hypothalamus, cerebral cortex and hippocampal formation at different postnatal ages (PD7-PD90) by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. In hypothalamus and hippocampus, a similar developmental profile was seen: NTPDase3 gene expression was stable during postnatal development and increased in adults. In the cortex, upregulation of NTPDase3 mRNA expression was seen at PD15 and further increase was evidenced in adults. Immunohistochemical analysis at PD7 revealed faint neuronal NTPDase3 localization in a dorsal hypothalamus. The immunoreactivity (ir) gradually increased in PD15 and PD20, in clusters of cells in the lateral, ventral and dorsomedial hypothalamus. Furthermore, in PD20 animals, NTPDase3-ir was detected on short fibers in the posterior hypothalamic area, while in PD30 the fibers appeared progressively longer and markedly varicose. In adults, the strongest NTPDase3-ir was observed in collections of cells in dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, dorsal and lateral hypothalamus and in several thalamic areas, whereas the varicose fibers traversed entire diencephalon, particularly paraventricular thalamic nucleus, ventromedial and dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei, the arcuate nucleus and the prefornical part of the lateral hypothalamus. The presumably ascending NTPDase3-ir fibers were first observed in PD20; their density and the varicose appearance increased until the adulthood. Prominent enhancement of NTPDase3-ir in the hypothalamus coincides with age when animals acquire diurnal rhythms of sleeping and feeding, supporting the hypothesis that this enzyme may be involved in regulation of homeostatic functions.

Ontogenic development of nerve fibers in human fetal livers: an immunohistochemical study using neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE).

The aim of the study was to investigate nerve fibers (NF) in human fetal livers. An immunohistochemical study was performed. NF were classified into portal tract innervation (PoI) and parenchymal innervation (PaI). The hilum area showed many Pol NF at 7 GW, and NF increased with gestational week (GW). Direct innervations to biliary epithelium were recognized. In large portal tracts, a few NCAM-positive mesenchymal cells were seen at 8 GW and many mesenchymal cells were noted around 12 GW. Apparent NF emerged around 15 GW, and NF increased with GW. Many NF plexuses were seen in 30-40 GW. In small portal tracts, no NF were seen in 7-10 GW. A few NCAM-positive mesenchymal cells emerged in 11 GW, and they increased thereafter. Apparent NF were seen around 20 GW and NF increased with GW. At term (40 GW), PoI NF were still immature. Ductal plate (DP) was positive for NCAM, NSE, chromogranin and synaptophysin, and direct innervations to DP were seen. The direct innervations to developing bile ducts and peribiliary glands were also seen. PaI NF were first seen at 21 GW and was consistent until 40 GW in which a few NF were seen in PaI. These observations suggest that PoI NF arise from committed portal mesenchyme. PaI NF are very immature at 40 GW. There are direct innervations to bile ducts, peribiliary glands, portal veins, hepatic arteries, and DP.

Males, but not females, lose tyrosine hydroxylase fibers in the medial prefrontal cortex and are impaired on a delayed alternation task during aging.

The structure of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is particularly vulnerable to the effects of aging, and behaviors mediated by the PFC are impaired during aging in both humans and animals. In male rats, behavioral deficits have been correlated with a decrease in dopaminergic functioning. However, studies have found that anatomical changes associated with aging are sexually dimorphic, with males experiencing greater age-related loss than females. The present study investigated the effects of sex and aging on performance of a delayed alternation t-maze, a task mediated by the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and on tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in this brain region using adult (7 months) and aged (21 months) male and female F344 rats. There was a sex by age interaction in performance of the delayed alternation task such that adult males performed better than aged males, but aged females were not different than adult females. Adult males performed better than adult females across all delays; however, this sex difference was reversed during aging and aged males performed worse than aged females. In addition, TH immunoreactivity decreased during aging in layers 2/3 in the male, but not female mPFC. Thus females were less sensitive to the effects of aging on the prefrontal dopaminergic system and on performance of a delayed alternation task. These effects may be due to decreases in testosterone in aging males, as well as the protective effects of ovarian hormones, which continue to be secreted after cessation of the estrous cycle in aging females.

Cholinergic innervation of human mesenteric lymphatic vessels.

BACKGROUND: The cholinergic neurotransmission within the human mesenteric lymphatic vessels has been poorly studied. Therefore, our aim is to analyse the cholinergic nerve fibres of lymphatic vessels using the traditional enzymatic techniques of staining, plus the biochemical modifications of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens obtained from human mesenteric lymphatic vessels were subjected to the following experimental procedures: 1) drawing, cutting and staining of tissues; 2) staining of total nerve fibres; 3) enzymatic staining of cholinergic nerve fibres; 4) homogenisation of tissues; 5) biochemical amount of proteins; 6) biochemical amount of AChE activity; 6) quantitative analysis of images; 7) statistical analysis of data. RESULTS: The mesenteric lymphatic vessels show many AChE positive nerve fibres around their wall with an almost plexiform distribution. The incubation time was performed at 1 h (partial activity) and 6 h (total activity). Moreover, biochemical dosage of the same enzymatic activity confirms the results obtained with morphological methods. CONCLUSIONS: The homogenates of the studied tissues contain strong AChE activity. In our study, the lymphatic vessels appeared to contain few cholinergic nerve fibres. Therefore, it is expected that perivascular nerve stimulation stimulates cholinergic nerves innervating the mesenteric arteries to release the neurotransmitter AChE, which activates muscarinic or nicotinic receptors to modulate adrenergic neurotransmission. These results strongly suggest, that perivascular cholinergic nerves have little or no effect on the adrenergic nerve function in mesenteric arteries. The cholinergic nerves innervating mesenteric arteries do not mediate direct vascular responses.

Monoamine oxidase enzymes and oxidative stress in the rat optic nerve: age-related changes.

In this study, age-related changes in the monoamine oxidases (MAO) were studied in the optic nerve (ON) of both young and aged male rats. The aim of the study was to assess the role of MAO in age-related changes in the rat ON and explain the mechanisms of neuroprotection mediated by MAO-B-specific inhibitors. Fifteen three month old and fifteen 26 month old Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The animals were killed by terminal anaesthesia. Staining of MAO, quantitative analysis of images, biochemical assays and statistical analysis of data were carried out. Samples of the ON were washed in water, fixed in Bowen fluid, dehydrated and embedded in Entellan. Histological sections were stained for MAO-enzymatic activities. The specificity of the reaction was evaluated by incubating control sections in a medium either without substrate or without dye. The quantitative analysis of images was carried out at the same magnification and the same lighting using a Zeiss photomicroscope. The histochemical findings were compared with the biochemical results. After enzymatic staining, MAO could be demonstrated in the ON fibres of both young and aged animals; however, MAO were increased in the nerve fibres of the elderly rats. These morphological findings were confirmed biochemically. The possibility that age-related changes in MAO levels may be attributed to impaired energy production mechanisms and/or represent the consequence of reduced energy needs is discussed.

[Localization of cystathionine beta-synthase in digestive tract of the masu salmon Onchorhynchus masou (Teleostei)].

By immunohistochemical method the hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-producing system was studied in digestive tract in fry and adult individuals of the masu salmon Onchorhynchus masou. The total and age-related peculiarities have been revealed in morphology, distribution, and the amount of enteral cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS)-immunopositive neurons. They have been established to be present in fry only in esophagus a stomach, while in adult fish--along the entire length of the digestive tract, the number of marked cells in esophagus, stomach, and distal intestine exceeding that in the proximal and middle intestines. In fry and in adult fish the neurons and nerve fibers are located in branches of vagus, in intermuscular and submucosal nerve plexuses, in serosal and muscle layers. There are detected uni-, bi-, and much seldom the multipolar neurons surrounded by numerous poorly and undifferentiated nerve cells. Besides, the CBS-immunopositive netve fibers were present in the subepithelial area of the duct of swim bladder.

PGP 9.5 distribution patterns in biopsies from early lesions of atopic dermatitis.

Peripheral nerve fibres are often increased in lesional skin of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. We attempted to study nerve fibre profiles, using PGP 9.5 as neuronal marker, in early AD lesions in 10 patients, as compared to non-lesional skin in the same patients and skin from healthy controls. The number of PGP 9.5-positive nerve fibre profiles was not different in the biopsies taken from normal-looking AD skin and healthy controls. The total number of PGP 9.5-positive nerve fibre profiles in the whole skin sections was higher in both the epidermis and the dermis in the group of skin biopsies taken from early lesions of AD patients. Further, the number of epidermal PGP 9.5-positive dendritic cells was increased in AD skin. It seems reasonable that PGP 9.5-positive nerve fibres and PGP 9.5-positive dendritic cells have pathological roles in AD. The findings might serve as a basis for further studies in evaluating novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Preponderance of inhibitory versus excitatory intramuscular nerve fibres in human chagasic megacolon.

INTRODUCTION: Megacolon, chronic dilation of a colonic segment, is a frequent sign of Chagas disease. It is accompanied by an extensive neuron loss which, as shown recently, results in a partial, selective survival of nitrergic myenteric neurons. Here, we focused on the balance of intramuscular excitatory (choline acetyltransferase [ChAT]-immunoreactive) and inhibitory (neuronal nitric oxide synthase [NOS]- as well as vasoactive intestinal peptide [VIP]-immunoreactive) nerve fibres. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From surgically removed megacolonic segments of seven patients, three sets of cryosections (from non-dilated oral, megacolonic and non-dilated anal parts) were immunhistochemically triple-stained for ChAT, NOS and VIP. Separate area measurements of nerve profiles within the circular and longitudinal muscle layers, respectively, were compared with those of seven non-chagasic control patients. Additionally, wholemounts from the same regions were stained for NOS, VIP and neurofilaments (NF). RESULTS: The intramuscular nerve fibre density was significantly reduced in all three chagasic segments. The proportions of inhibitory (NOS only, VIP only, or NOS/VIP-coimmunoreactive) intramuscular nerves were 68 %/58 % (circular/longitudinal muscle, respectively) in the controls and increased to 75 %/69 % (oral parts), 84 %/76 % (megacolonic) and 87 %/94 % (anal) in chagasic specimens. In the myenteric plexus, NF-positive neurons co-staining for NOS and VIP also increased proportionally. The almost complete lack of dendritic structures in ganglia of chagasic specimens hampered morphological identification. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We suggest that preponderance of inhibitory, intramuscular nerve fibres may be one factor explaining the chronic dilation. Since the nerve fibre imbalance is most pronounced in the anal, non-dilated segment, other components of the motor apparatus (musculature, interstitial cells, submucosal neurons) have to be considered.

Increased total volume and dopamine ß-hydroxylase immunoreactivity of carotid body in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Under hypertension, it has been reported that the carotid body (CB) is enlarged and noradrenaline (NA) content in CB is increased. Therefore, it is hypothesized that morphological and neurochemical changes in CB are induced in hypertensive animal models. In the present study, we examined the morphological features and dopamine ß-hydroxylase (DBH) immunoreactivity in CB of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR/Izm) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY/Izm). The CB of SHR/Izm was elongated in terms of the cross section of center and was enlarged in the reconstructed images compared with that of WKY/Izm, and the total volume of CB in SHR/Izm (0.048 ± 0.004 mm³) was significantly (p<0.05) increased compared with the value in WKY/Izm (0.032 ± 0.006 mm³). By immunohistochemistry, immunoreactivity for tyrosine hydroxylase in CB was mainly observed in glomus cells and the immunostaining properties were similar between WKY/Izm and SHR/Izm. On the other hand, DBH immunoreactivity was mainly observed in nerve fibers around blood vessels and observed in a few glomus cells in CB of WKY/Izm. The number of glomus cells with strong DBH immunoreactivity was increased in SHR/Izm compared with that in WKY/Izm. In conclusion, the present study exhibited the enlargement of CB as three-dimensional image and revealed the enhanced immunoreactivity for DBH of glomus cells in SHR/Izm. These results suggest that the morphology of CB is affected by the effect of sympathetic nerve and that the signal transduction from CB is regulated by NA in glomus cells under hypertensive conditions.

Microanatomical and immunohistochemical study of the human lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve of forearm at the antecubital fossa and its clinical implications.

Changes in the intraneural anatomy with age can cause poor prognosis of nerve repair in patients after nerve injury. The occurrence of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome-Type II, secondary to peripheral nerve injury, is common. The purpose of this study is to asses changes in cross-sectional anatomy of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve of forearm (LCNF) at the antecubital fossa in the fascicular, nonfascicular components (adipose and nonadipose tissue), and sympathetic fibers area with respect to age. For the purpose of the study, 32 human (37-88 years) fresh cadaveric LCNF were collected from left-antecubital fossae and processed for histological, morphometric analysis [total cross-sectional (Asc), fascicular (Af), and nonfascicular area (Anonf)], and immunohistochemical method (tyrosine hydroxylase) for sympathetic fibers. The LCNF's average total cross-sectional area was 3.024 mm(2), and fascicular area was 0.582 mm(2). The average number of fascicles per mm(2) was 3.09. The cross-sectional area in the nerve was mainly occupied by nonfascicular connective tissue (80.75%). There was increased adipose tissue deposition (48.48% of Asc) and decreased collagen fibers (32.24% of Asc) in interfascicular domains without any definite relationship with age. The average sympathetic fiber area was 0.026 mm(2) within the nerve fascicular area without any correlation with age. In LCNF, there was more adipose tissue and less collagen fibers deposition in the interfascicular domains of all age cases, and this may act as an obstacle for nerve fiber regeneration on using LCNF as an interpositional nerve graft.

Nuclear-cytoplasmic localization of acetyl coenzyme a synthetase-1 in the rat brain.

Acetyl coenzyme A synthetase-1 (AceCS1) catalyzes the synthesis of acetyl coenzyme A from acetate and coenzyme A and is thought to play diverse roles ranging from fatty acid synthesis to gene regulation. By using an affinity-purified antibody generated against an 18-mer peptide sequence of AceCS1 and a polyclonal antibody directed against recombinant AceCS1 protein, we examined the expression of AceCS1 in the rat brain. AceCS1 immunoreactivity in the adult rat brain was present predominantly in cell nuclei, with only light to moderate cytoplasmic staining in some neurons, axons, and oligodendrocytes. Some nonneuronal cell nuclei were very strongly immunoreactive, including those of some oligodendrocytes, whereas neuronal nuclei ranged from unstained to moderately stained. Both antibodies stained some neuronal cell bodies and axons, especially in the hindbrain. AceCS1 immunoreactivity was stronger and more widespread in the brains of 18-day-old rats than in adults, with increased expression in oligodendrocytes and neurons, including cortical pyramidal cells. Expression of AceCS1 was substantially up-regulated in neurons throughout the brain after controlled cortical impact injury. The strong AceCS1 expression observed in the nuclei of CNS cells during brain development and after injury is consistent with a role in nuclear histone acetylation and therefore the regulation of chromatin structure and gene expression. The cytoplasmic staining observed in some oligodendrocytes, especially during postnatal brain development, suggests an additional role in CNS lipid synthesis and myelination. Neuronal and axonal localization implicates AceCS1 in cytoplasmic acetylation reactions in some neurons.

Interactions between orexin-immunoreactive fibers and adrenaline or noradrenaline-expressing neurons of the lower brainstem in rats and mice.

Orexins are expressed in neurons of the dorsolateral hypothalamus and their axons widely distribute throughout the central nervous system. The noradrenergic cell groups of the lower brainstem belong to the targets of these orexin projections. Double immunostainings for orexin and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT), as well as orexin and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were applied to demonstrate the orexinergic innervation of catecholamine cell groups in the lower brainstem of the mouse and the rat. In various densities, networks of orexin-positive fibers and terminals were present on neurons of each adrenaline (C1, C2, C3) and noradrenaline (locus coeruleus, A1, A2, A4, A5 and A7) cell groups. The most dense networks of orexin fibers and terminals were detected in the locus coeruleus, the subcoeruleus area, and in the nucleus of the solitary tract. By using confocal microscope to analyze triple immunostainings we could detect that about two-third of the orexin-PNMT or orexin-TH immunopositive close contacts contained synaptophysin (a presynapse-specific protein) in the C1, C2 and C3 adrenaline, or in the A1, A2 noradrenaline cell groups, respectively. Orexin-immunopositive axons in the C1, C2, as well as A1, A2 and A6 cell groups have been examined by an electron microscope. Relatively few asymmetrical (excitatory) synaptic contacts could be demonstrated between PNMT- or TH-positive dendrites and orexin terminals, although the vast majority of orexin-positive axons was located in juxtaposition to PNMT- or TH-positive neurons.

Immunoreactivity for high-affinity choline transporter colocalises with VAChT in human enteric nervous system.

Cholinergic nerves are identified by labelling molecules in the ACh synthesis, release and destruction pathway. Recently, antibodies against another molecule in this pathway have been developed. Choline reuptake at the synapse occurs via the high-affinity choline transporter (CHT1). CHT1 immunoreactivity is present in cholinergic nerve fibres containing vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) in the human and rat central nervous system and rat enteric nervous system. We have examined whether CHT1 immunoreactivity is present in nerve fibres in human intestine and whether it is colocalised with markers of cholinergic, tachykinergic or nitrergic circuitry. Human ileum and colon were fixed, sectioned and processed for fluorescence immunohistochemistry with antibodies against CHT1, class III beta-tubulin (TUJ1), synaptophysin, common choline acetyl-transferase (cChAT), VAChT, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). CHT1 immunoreactivity was present in many nerve fibres in the circular and longitudinal muscle, myenteric and submucosal ganglia, submucosa and mucosa in human colon and ileum and colocalised with immunoreactivity for TUJ1 and synaptophysin confirming its presence in nerve fibres. In nerve fibres in myenteric ganglia and muscle, CHT1 immunoreactivity colocalised with immunoreactivity for VAChT and cChAT. Some colocalisation occurred with SP immunoreactivity, but little with immunoreactivity for VIP or NOS. In the mucosa, CHT1 immunoreactivity colocalised with that for VIP and SP in nerve fibres and was also present in vascular nerve fibres in the submucosa and on epithelial cells on the luminal border of crypts. The colocalisation of CHT1 immunoreactivity with VAChT immunoreactivity in cholinergic enteric nerves in the human bowel thus suggests that CHT1 represents another marker of cholinergic nerves.

Resection of the nerves bundle from the sphenopalatine ganglia tend to increase the infarction volume following middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Blocking or impairment of the sphenopalatine ganglia (SPG) is an effective therapy of cluster headache and other pain syndromes. Contrarily, unilateral SPG-stimulation reduces infarction size in the rat permanent suture model. Well, what are the effects of the SPG damage on the following brain ischemia? This study was aimed to investigate the effects of resection of the nerves bundle from the SPG of rat on the brain lesions following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and evaluated the roles of the nitric oxygen synthase (NOS) immunoreactive perivascular nerves of cerebral arteries in MCAO. We found that 7 days after bilateral resections of the nerves bundle from the SPG, the NOS activity perivascular nerves in the middle cerebral arteries disappeared, and the infarction volume and the TUNEL positive cells increased significantly after 24 h MCAO, which implicated that the NOS contained nerves from the SPG maybe have an important role in the MCAO.

[Nitric oxide in the mechanisms of afferent innervations of arteries of the brain].

Structural elements of afferent innervations of brain arteries in rats such as receptors and nervous fibers, neurons of ganglia jugularis unit and the nucleus of a single way were investigated with the help of histochemical and electron cytochemical methods. The presence of three types of receptors and afferent fibers has been established in vessels. Neurons with positive reaction to NADPH-diaphorase have been allocated in the ganglia jugularis unit and the nucleus of a single way (17.4 and 24.5% accordingly).

Nitroxidergic nerve fibers of intracerebral vessels.

Light and electron histochemical methods were used to study the structure and distribution of neurons containing NADPH diaphorase and their processes in the parietal area of the cortex in rats. Most neurons were found to be characterized by tight associations with intracerebral vessels. The smallest distances between the axon plasmalemma and the smooth myocytes of intracerebral arteries in the cerebral cortex were at least 0.3-0.5 microm. Neuron bodies were located at functionally important locations of vessels (sites at which subsidiary vessels branched off, the origins of arterioles), and their processes accompanied vessels, densely entwining the vessels with their branches. Neurons whose dendrites contacted the bodies or process of above- or below-lying neurons often sent nerve conductors to arteries, veins, or capillaries. Thus, nitroxidergic neurons or groups of these neurons may monitor the state of the circulation at different points in the vascular bed, functioning as local nerve centers.