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Eur J Pediatr Surg 2011; 21(06): 362-365
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1285872
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Evaluation of Nitric Oxide (NO) and Nitric Oxide Synthases (NOS) in the Amniotic Fluid in an Experimental Gastroschisis Rat Model

F.L. L. Gonçalves
1   Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
,
G.F. P. de Souza
2   Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
,
A. F. Schmidt
3   Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
,
A. C. Regis
1   Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
,
M. G. de Oliveira
2   Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
,
L. Sbragia
3   Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 22 March 2011

accepted after revision 09 July 2011

Publication Date:
29 September 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Intestinal damage due to gastroschisis (G), an anomaly found with increasing incidence by pedriatic surgeons, is intimately associated with endogenous nitric oxide (NO) production and NO synthase (NOS) expression.

Aim:

Aim of the study was to evaluate NO production and NOS isoforms in the intestine and amniotic fluid (AF) using a rat model of gastroschisis.

Methods:

A gastroschisis rat model was surgically created at 18.5 days of gestation (term=22 days). 3 groups of 12 fetuses each were studied: control (C), sham (S) and (G). Morphometric data of body weight (BW), intestinal weight (IW) and the IW/BW ratio were evaluated and compared. Indirect quantification of NO (nitrite and nitrate – NOx) was analyzed by chemiluminescence, and the expression of the 3 isoforms was analyzed by Western blotting.

Results:

Group G showed an increase in IW and IW/BW compared with groups C and S. IW: G=0.27±0.06, C=0.20±0.02, S=0.20±0.02 (p<0.01); IW/BW: G=4.11±0.57, C=5.21±1.04, S=5.18±1.23 (p<0.05). NO in the G group was lower in the intestine and higher in AF, as opposed to C and S, where it had increased in the intestine and decreased in AF. Intestinal NOx: G=0.85±0.28, C=1.86±0.82, S=1.80±0.69 (p<0.05); NOx in AF: G=161.87±52.11, C=6.99±5.45, S=48.73±13.183 (p<0.001).

Conclusion:

The intestinal inflammation in gastroschisis promotes the release of nitric oxide to the environment (AF). Perhaps NO in the AF may be an inflammatory marker for G.

Key words

gastroschisis - nitric oxide synthases - experimental surgery - amniotic fluid
 

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