The nitric oxide synthase expression of rat cortical and hippocampal neurons changes after early lead exposure

ASIA SELVÝ´N-TESTA*, FRANCISCO CAPANI, C. FABIA´N LOIDL, JORGE PECCI-SAAVEDRA

Neuroscience Letter

Año: 1997 vol. 236 p. 75 - 78

The effect of lead exposure in nitric oxide synthase containing neurons (nNOS) within rat cortex and hippocampus was studied. Lead administration (1 g% lead acetate in drinking water) was commenced prior to mating and continued until 30postnatal (PN) days. Immunohistochemical studies using antibody to nNOS showed, after lead treatment at PN21–PN30, a reduction in neuronal size and optical density (OD) of nNOS+ cells. In both regions, non-pyramidal immunoreactive neuronsexhibited smaller soma size and less developed dendrites. A significant difference in cell areas and OD of lead exposed versuscontrol rats and no variation in the number of nNOS+ neurons was seen. Morphological modifications after early lead exposure,induced nNOS reduction in NOS expressing neurons thereby interfering in NO synthesis+ cells. In both regions, non-pyramidal immunoreactive neuronsexhibited smaller soma size and less developed dendrites. A significant difference in cell areas and OD of lead exposed versuscontrol rats and no variation in the number of nNOS+ neurons was seen. Morphological modifications after early lead exposure,induced nNOS reduction in NOS expressing neurons thereby interfering in NO synthesis