Changes in the Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity in the Spinal Cord after Multiple Cauda Equina Constrictions in the Experiment

Česká verzia

Authors: J. Kafka ¹; N. Lukáčová ²; D. Čížková ²; J. Maršala ²
Authors place of work: Neurochirurgická klinika FNLP, Rastislavova 43, Košice ¹; Neurobiologický ústav SAV, Šoltésovej 4, Košice ²
Published in the journal: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2007; 70/103(5): 505-511
Category: Original Paper

Podporené VEGA grantom 2/3217/23, 2/5134/25 a APVV grantom 51-01-3002.

Summary

Nitric oxide (NO) is known as a signalling molecule playing an important role in the pathophysiology of many neurodegenerative disorders. However, little is known about the role of NO in the pathogenesis of cauda equina syndrome. In the present study we investigated calcium-dependent nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in the Th1–Th12, L1–L3 and L4–L7 spinal cord segments divided into dorsal, medial and ventral parts and, neuronal NOS immunoreactivity (nNOS-IR) in L4–L7 segments after surgically-induced multiple cauda equina constrictions (MCEC) in the dog and after survival of experimental animals for 2 and 5 days. A significant increase of calcium-dependent NOS activity was noted in the dorsal part of thoracic and upper lumbar segments 2 days after MCEC. However, at 5th day the enzyme activity in the dorsal part of both above mentioned spinal cord segments was significantly decreased. No significant changes were noted in the dorsal part of L4–L6 segments. In the medial part of L4–L7 segments taken 2 days after MCEC, calcium-dependent NOS activity was only transiently enhanced; the value returned nearly to control level within 5 postconstriction days. MCEC, lasting for 2 days did not caused changes in enzyme activity in medial part of thoracic and upper lumbar segments. Significant differences were noted only 5 days after MCEC. The effect of MCEC on calcium-dependent NOS activity in the ventral part of thoracic, upper and lower lumbar segments was similar, showing a significant increase of enzyme activity in all segments studied, except for its decrease in the upper lumbar segments 5 days after postconstriction. The increase of calcium-dependent NOS activity in the lower lumbar segments correlates with increased number of NOS-IR neurons located in laminae VIII and IX and enhanced expression of NOS-IR axons in the ventrolateral column.

Key words:
cauda equina syndrome – nitric oxide synthase – spinal cord – dog

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