EXPRESSION OF nNOS IMMUNOC REATIVE NEURONS AFTER REPERFUSION FOR MIDDLE CEREBRAL ARTERY OCCLUSION

Objective To study the relationship between neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and cerebral ischemia. Methods A Wistar rat model of reperfusion for brain ischemia was made, the morphology of post ischemic brain tissue was investigated by H a nd E staining, the changes of nNOS were revealed by immunohistochemistery. Results The numbers of nNOS containing neurons in the ipsilateral cortex and caudoputamen increased significantly after reperfusion, which reache d the peak at three hours and started to declined six hours later. Obvious neuro nal swelling, degeneration and necrosis could be seen in ischemic areas. Conclusion The expression of nNOS increases in the early stage o f focal cerabral ischemia after reperfusion, and it may be involved in neurotoxi c action in acute phase.