The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the expression of nNOS following ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat spinal cord.

Spraque-Dawley rats (250-300 gm) were classified into two groups according to experimental methods. Control group (n = 5) received sham operation. Ischemia in experimental group (n = 5) was induced by clamping the abdominal aorta just below the left renal artery and the abdominal aorta just above the aortic bifurcation for 20 minutes followed by 20 minutes reperfusion. The spinal cord was obtained 7 days after operation. The expression of nNOS was examined in gray and white matter with confocal microscope and Image Analyzer.

There is no difference in nNOS expression of nNOS between gray and white matter in control group. Comparing to control group, experimental group showed higher levels of nNOS expression (P < 0.05).

nNOS expression increased in the rat spinal cord after ischemia/reperfusion injury. We suggest that overproduction of NO may play a role in progressive nerve cell damage.