Enhanced forebrain nitric oxide synthase activity in epileptic fowl

• Published in: Brain research Vol. 735; no. 2; pp. 311 - 313
• Main Authors: Sandirasegarane, Lakshman, Mikler, John R., Tuchek, John M., Sulakhe, Prakash V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier B.V 07.10.1996; Amsterdam Elsevier; New York, NY
• Subjects: Animals; Animals, Newborn - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Chick; Epilepsy; Epilepsy - enzymology; Epilepsy - genetics; Forebrain; Headache. Facial pains. Syncopes. Epilepsia. Intracranial hypertension. Brain oedema. Cerebral palsy; Hereditary; Male; Medical sciences; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; Nitric oxide synthase; Nitric Oxide Synthase - metabolism; Photic Stimulation; Poultry - metabolism; Prosencephalon - enzymology; Reference Values; Seizure; Photic stimulation; Epilepsy; Forebrain; Nitric oxide synthase; Seizure; Hereditary; Chick; Nervous system diseases; Enzyme; Central nervous system; Nitric-oxide synthase; Cerebral disorder; Prosencephalon; Vertebrata; Enzymatic activity; Animal; Central nervous system disease; Chicken; Oxidoreductases; Aves
• ISSN: 0006-8993; 1872-6240
• DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(96)00595-1

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity was examined in forebrain, cerebellum and optic lobes of adult domestic fowl, having a hereditary primary generalized convulsive disorder. NOS was ∼2-fold higher in only the forebrain regions of adult epileptic fowl compared to non-epileptic (carrier) hatchmates. A significant increase in NOS was also evident in forebrains of 1-day-old epileptic chicks. Ca 2+-dependency experiments confirmed that these increments were principally due to type I NOS (NOS-1). Induction of convulsions by intermittent photic stimulation did not affect pre-existing forebrain NOS-I activity. The present data suggest that an enhanced NO signaling may ensue in selected regions of the brain as an adaptive response to hereditary epileptogenesis.