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Nitric oxide in the peripheral nervous system

R A Lefebvre1

  • 1Heymans Institute of Pharmacology, University of Gent Medical School, Belgium.

Annals of Medicine
|June 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary
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Nitric oxide (NO) acts as a peripheral neurotransmitter, relaxing gastrointestinal smooth muscle. This nitrergic neurotransmission involves NO synthesized from L-arginine, with its deficiency linked to certain digestive disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gastroenterology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Nitric oxide (NO) is recognized as a central nervous system neurotransmitter and neuromodulator.
  • Emerging evidence suggests NO also functions as a peripheral neurotransmitter, particularly in smooth muscle regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) as a neurotransmitter in peripheral tissues, specifically gastrointestinal smooth muscle.
  • To explore the mechanisms and implications of nitrergic neurotransmission in various physiological systems.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized in vitro and in vivo experiments with NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors to assess NO's role in nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NAChR) relaxations.
  • Employed bioassay superfusion systems to detect NO release and measured nitrite and L-citrulline as indirect indicators of NO synthesis.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Conducted immunohistochemistry using neuronal NOS antibodies and NADPH diaphorase staining to identify nitrergic innervation in myenteric plexus and smooth muscle.

    • Main Results:

    • Demonstrated that NO, synthesized from L-arginine by NOS, is a key nonadrenergic noncholinergic relaxant transmitter in gastrointestinal smooth muscle.
    • Confirmed NO release from gastrointestinal smooth muscle preparations and provided evidence for on-demand synthesis rather than storage.
    • Identified nitrergic innervation in the myenteric plexus and smooth muscle, with deficiencies observed in patients with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, achalasia, and Hirschsprung's disease.

    Conclusions:

    • Nerve endings innervating smooth muscle release NO, mediating relaxation through nitrergic neurotransmission.
    • A lack of NO release may contribute to the pathophysiology of disorders such as infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, achalasia, and Hirschsprung's disease.
    • Nitrergic neurotransmission to smooth muscle is also implicated in the respiratory tract, lower urinary tract, corpora cavernosa, and blood vessels.