Reis Maria Emanuela Martins Dos, Araújo Lucimário Thiago Félix de, de Andrade Wylqui Mikael Gomes, Resende Nayra da Silva, Lima Ruthnaldo Rodrigues Melo de, Nascimento Expedito Silva do, Costa Miriam Stela Maris de Oliveira, Cavalcante Judney Cley
Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Department of Morphology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Department of Morphology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
Brain Res. 2018 Apr 15;1685:60-78. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.01.020. Epub 2018 Feb 10.
Nitric oxide (NO) is a highly soluble and membrane-permeable neurotransmitter, so it does not need to be packed in vesicles or have a membrane receptor. In the nervous system, NO is synthesized by the neuronal form of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme and has been considered as a local neurotransmitter. NOS distribution is widespread in the nervous system of various vertebrate species, which may explain its participation in many functions such as memory, blood pressure regulation and sexual behavior. Here we used immunohistochemistry against NOS and NADPH diaphorase histochemistry to map the distribution of NO in the diencephalon of the rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris), a rodent endemic to the Brazilian Northeast. Rock cavy has crepuscular habits and is adapted to ecological conditions such as heat and scarcity of water and food. This study found that NOS distribution was more concentrated in the hypothalamus of this animal. Among the hypothalamic nuclei, the median preoptic, supraoptic, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, ventral and dorsal premammillary nucleus, supramammillary nucleus, lateral mammillary nucleus and dorsal hypothalamic nucleus had the largest collections of NOS immunoreactive (NOS-ir) neurons. Some nuclei of the thalamus and epithalamus such as the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus, the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus, the medial geniculate nucleus and the lateral habenula showed NOS-ir neurons. This distribution is similar to that described in other rodents, indicating that NO also has an important role in rock cavy's physiology.
一氧化氮（NO）是一种高度可溶且能透过膜的神经递质，因此它无需包装在囊泡中或具有膜受体。在神经系统中，NO由一氧化氮合酶（NOS）的神经元形式合成，并被视为一种局部神经递质。NOS分布广泛于各种脊椎动物的神经系统中，这或许可以解释它参与诸如记忆、血压调节和性行为等多种功能。在这里，我们使用针对NOS的免疫组织化学和NADPH黄递酶组织化学来绘制NO在岩豚鼠（Kerodon rupestris）间脑的分布，岩豚鼠是巴西东北部特有的一种啮齿动物。岩豚鼠有黄昏活动习性，适应诸如炎热以及水和食物稀缺等生态条件。本研究发现，NOS分布在这种动物的下丘脑更为集中。在下丘脑核团中，视前正中核、视上核、下丘脑室旁核、下丘脑腹内侧核、腹侧和背侧乳头前核、乳头体上核、外侧乳头体核以及下丘脑背侧核拥有最多的NOS免疫反应性（NOS-ir）神经元。丘脑和上丘脑的一些核团，如丘脑室旁核、腹侧外侧膝状体核、内侧膝状体核和外侧缰核，也显示出NOS-ir神经元。这种分布与其他啮齿动物中所描述的相似，表明NO在岩豚鼠的生理过程中也具有重要作用。
