[Expression of eNOS in the endothelial cells during the arteriogenesis of pig hind-limbs].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression and activity of eNOS during the arteriogenesis of hind-limbs of pigs. METHODS: The right femoral artery was ligated, and the left femoral artery shamly operated under routine surgical procedures. Animals were sacrificed after two weeks. The expression and activity of eNOS in collateral vessels were studied by confocal immunofluorescence with antibodies against eNOS and phosphorylated eNOS (P-eNOS) respectively. RESULTS: In normal small arteries, the expression of eNOS was very low, and the staining was very weak. In growing collateral vessels, the expression of eNOS was significantly up-regulated, showing very strong positive staining. The expression of P-eNOS was also high. Dural immunostaining showed that eNOS and P-eNOS were colocalized in the endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: eNOS is up-regulated and activated during arteriogenesis, suggesting that eNOS can exert the possible role in mediating the proliferation of endothelial cells and the inflammation, and contribute to the collateral vessel growth.