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Functional activity and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in muscle of the isolated distal colon of mdx mice
Author(s) -
Vannucchi Maria Giuliana,
Corsani Letizia,
Azzena Gian Battista,
FaussonePellegrini Maria Simonetta,
Mancinelli Rino
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.20010
Subject(s) - nitric oxide synthase , nitric oxide , western blot , motility , immunohistochemistry , medicine , endocrinology , gene isoform , biology , myocyte , muscular dystrophy , pathology , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , gene
The inducible isoform of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS), expressed in endothelium, epithelium, and inflammatory cells, produces a large amount of NO. Previous studies on mouse intestine indicate that a muscular iNOS may have a role in the storage of intraluminal content. In this study we investigated the presence and function of iNOS in the colonic smooth muscle cells of 2‐ and 12‐month‐old dystrophic ( mdx ) mice. By using an in vitro isovolumic technique, and immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis, we demonstrated that iNOS is expressed and active in the smooth muscle cells of normal mouse and defective in young adult (2‐month‐old) mdx mice. Therefore, an altered activity of the muscle iNOS might explain the motility disorders observed in the colon of mdx mice and, from a clinical point of view, the impairment of intestinal function in dystrophic patients. Muscle Nerve 29: 795–803, 2004