Expression of NADPH-diaphorase in nucleus tractus solitarium after peripheral injection of E. coli endotoxin in rats

摘要

1. The possibility that peripheral exogenous pyrogens can activate brainstem nuclei by abdominal viscera afferents was studied using the NADPH-diaphorase method in E. coil lipopolysaccharide treated rats with and without ibuprofen pre-treatment. 2. NADPH-d staining revealed: (i) a significant increase in the number of NADPH-d labeled neurons in the subpostremal area of the nucleus tractus solitarius lipopolysaccharide treated rats compared with control animals (p <0.05), and (ii) an almost similar number of NADPH-d positive neurons in both control and ibuprofen pretreated rats (p = 0.091). 3. These data indicate that peripheral administration of an exogenous pyrogen stimulates the synthesis of nitric oxide in the nucleus tractus solitarius, and are consistent with the hypothesis of a direct neural link between the periphery and the hypothalamus.