Relationship between NO changes and LTP production in rat hippocampus in vitro / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the time course of the changes in nitric oxide (NO) content and the activity of NO synthase (NOS) during hippocampal long term potentiation (LTP) in vitro . Methods The production and maintenance of LTP were detected by using extracelluar electrophysiological recording. NO content and NOS activity were determined by biochemical reaction. The expression of NOS mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization. Results Conditioning stimulation for 10 min induced LTP production and significant increases in NO content, NOS activity and expression of NOS mRNA. However, at 60 min after conditioning stimulation, LTP remained stably but NO content and NOS activity returned to the pre conditioning stimulation level. Moreover, the NOS mRNA was overexpressed at the early stage of LTP production. Conclusion Significant NO changes may occur at the early stage of LTP formation.