Distribution of nitric oxide-producing cells along spinal cord in urodeles

Abstract

Nitric oxide is a unique neurotransmitter, which participates in many physiological and pathological processes in the organism. There are little data about the neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity in the spinal cord of amphibians. In this respect, the present study aims to investigate the distribution of nitric oxide producing cells in the spinal cord of urodele and to find out the possibility of a functional locomotory role to this neurotransmitter. The results of the present study demonstrate a specific pattern of NADPH-d labeling in the selected amphibian model throughout the spinal cord length as NADPH-d-producing cells and fibers were present in almost all segments of the spinal cord of the salamander investigated. However, their number, cytological characteristics and labeling intensity varied significantly. It was noticed that the NO-producing cells (NO-PC) were accumulated in the ventral side of certain segments in the spinal cord corresponding to the brachial and sacral plexuses. In addition, the number of NO-PC was found to be increased also at the beginning of the tail and this could be due to the fact that salamanders are tetrapods having bimodal locomotion, namely swimming and walking.

Novel Insights on Nitric Oxide Synthase and NO Signaling in Ascidian Metamorphosis

“…In the vertebrate Xenopus tadpoles, NO has a role in potentiation of synaptic transmission during the descending activation of the swimming CPG. In particular, in several species of anuran and urodel amphibians NO controls the modulatory pathways to switch from ondulatory to free-swimming locomotion style during metamorphosis [ 88 , 96 , 97 , 98 ].…”

In Vitro Metabolic Stability and in Vivo Biodistribution of 3-Methyl-4-furoxancarbaldehyde Using PET Imaging in Rats

“…In addition, 13 N radioactivity from PRG150 remained in the spinal cord outside of the 60 min PET scan window, while 11 C radioactivity was depleted after 45 min. The differences in radioactive uptake could indicate NO release at multiple levels of the somatosensory nervous system including the dorsal root ganglia and the spinal cord thereby contributing to the analgesic effects of PRG150 in the rat model of PDN ,− by addressing the underlying depletion of NO bioactivity in this neuropathic pain condition …”