ABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate the changes in nNOS and iNOS expression of hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons and NO - 2/NO - 3 level of hippocampal homogenate of rats induced by stress, and to explore the effect of phenytoin on them. METHODS: Rats were subjected to forced-swimming stress, phenytoin was administered(ip) at 30 min before stress. Using the immunohistochemistry and the computerized image technique, the expression levels of nNOS and iNOS of rat hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons were assayed quantitatively, and the NO - 2/NO - 3 level of hippocampal homogenate was also measured using nitric acid deoxidize enzyme method. RESULTS: The nNOS average grey degree of hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons was significantly lower in stress group (155 42?3 77)than that in control group(164 54?4 62)and in stress plus phenytoin group(164 27?2 55)( P