Document Detail


Inducible nitric oxide synthase is present in the rat placenta at the fetal-maternal interface and decreases prior to labour.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  9239737     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and distribution patterns of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in rat placenta during gestation and term labour. The expression of iNOS isoform was assessed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting with monoclonal antibodies. Two specific bands were detected corresponding to 135 and 124 kDa in all placenta samples. The upper band (135 kDa) was identified as iNOS due to its correspondence with the band obtained with mouse macrophages (positive control). Compared with its concentrations on day 16, iNOS decreased steadily toward the end of gestation to approximately 37% on day 20, 20% on day 22 before labour and 12% during labour (p < 0.01). The lower band (124 kDa) drastically increased (to almost double) from day 16 to day 18 but returned to initial values on day 22, during delivery. Immunohistochemical staining of placentae at day 16 and 22 using rabbit polyclonal anti-iNOS antibody revealed labelling specifically concentrated in the trophospongial cell layer, at the fetal-maternal interface. The most conspicuous iNOS staining was associated with islands of cells referred to as vacuolated 'glycogen cells'. Staining was greatly decreased during labour. The changes in placental iNOS expression suggest a 'paracrine' role for NO in regulating uterine contractility, blood flow and immunosuppression required for pregnancy maintenance. NO withdrawal at term may also be involved in the initiation of labour.
Authors:
T L Purcell; I A Buhimschi; R Given; K Chwalisz; R E Garfield
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Molecular human reproduction     Volume:  3     ISSN:  1360-9947     ISO Abbreviation:  Mol. Hum. Reprod.     Publication Date:  1997 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1997-09-24     Completed Date:  1997-09-24     Revised Date:  2005-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9513710     Medline TA:  Mol Hum Reprod     Country:  ENGLAND    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  485-91     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-1062, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Enzyme Induction
Female
Immunohistochemistry
Labor, Obstetric / metabolism*
Maternal-Fetal Exchange / physiology*
Mice
Nitric Oxide / physiology
Nitric Oxide Synthase / biosynthesis,  metabolism*
Placenta / enzymology*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Maintenance / physiology
Rabbits
Rats
Time Factors
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
10102-43-9/Nitric Oxide; EC 1.14.13.39/Nitric Oxide Synthase

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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