Molecular changes in nNOS protein expression within the ventrolateral medulla following transient focal ischemia affect cardiovascular functions.

The majority of human strokes involve an occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and subsequent damage to the brain tissues it perfuses. We have previously reported that reflex cardiovascular changes during a static muscle contraction are attenuated following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion [A. Ally, S.M. Nauli, T.J. Maher, Cardiovascular responses and neurotransmission in the ventrolateral medulla during skeletal muscle contraction following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion, Brain Res. 952 (2002) 176-187]. We hypothesized that the attenuation is a result of altered expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) within the rostral (RVLM) and caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM). In this study, we have compared cardiovascular responses and nNOS protein expression within the four quadrants, i.e., left and right sides of both RVLM and CVLM in sham-operated rats (n = 10) and in rats with a temporary 90-min left-sided MCAO followed by 24 h reperfusion (n = 10). Increases in mean arterial pressure during a static muscle contraction were significantly attenuated in MCAO rats when compared to sham rats. The transient ischemia reduced nNOS expression within the ipsilateral RVLM quadrant compared to the contralateral RVLM or RVLM quadrants of control rats. In contrast, compared to sham rats and the right CVLM quadrant of MCAO rats, nNOS expression was significantly augmented in the ipsilateral CVLM in left-sided MCAO rats. These data suggest that the attenuation of cardiovascular responses during static muscle contraction in MCAO rats is partly due to a reduction in nNOS expression within the ipsilateral RVLM and an overexpression of nNOS abundance within the ipsilateral CVLM. Results demonstrate that nNOS expression within the medulla plays a significant role in mediating cardiovascular responses during static exercise in intact and pathophysiological conditions.