Nitric oxide is a neuromodulator in cat pancreatic ganglia: histochemical and electrophysiological study

L. Sha, S. M. Miller, J. H. Szurszewski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study examined the distribution of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity in cat pancreatic ganglia and the electrophysiological effects of nitric oxide (NO) donors, NO and the effect of endogenously released NO. The majority (64%) of pancreatic ganglion neurons stained positive for NADPH-d. Large nerve trunks contained numerous non-varicose NADPH-d positive fibers. NADPH-d positive nerve fibers within individual ganglia were varicosed. l-Arginine, sodium nitroprusside and NO, applied in the vicinity of the impaled neuron, evoked a hyperpolarizing response and initiated fast excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in the majority of neurons tested. The hyperpolarizing response was not affected by low Ca2+ (0.1 mM), high Mg2+ (15 mM). Pretreatment with nitro-l-arginine increased the amplitude of slow EPSPs in about 50% of neurons tested. These results support the hypothesis that NO plays a role in ganglionic transmission in the cat pancreas.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)77-80
Number of pages4
JournalNeuroscience Letters
Volume192
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 9 1995

Keywords

  • NADPH-diaphorase
  • Nitric oxide
  • Pancreatic ganglia
  • Parasympathetic ganglia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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