Stress-related glucocorticoids and glutamate release have been implicated in mood
disorders such as depression. Since glutamatergic mechanisms activate nitric oxide
synthase (NOS), we examined protein expression of neuronal NOS (nNOS) and
inducible NOS (iNOS) in the cytosolic fraction of prefrontal cortex and hippocampus
of rats exposed to acute, chronic and combined stresses (chronic stress followed by
acute stress). While nNOS protein expression was high in all animal groups in both
brain regions, iNOS protein expression was increased only in prefrontal cortex
following chronic isolation indicating state of oxidative/nitrosative stress. Moreover,
serum corticosterone level, as a marker of neuroendocrine stress response, revealed
deregulated HPA axis after chronic isolation stress. Data have shown the ability of
hippocampus to maintain homeostasis (redox balance) after exposure of animals to
chronic isolation stress, while iNOS may be implicated in the progression of
neurotoxicity in the prefrontal cortex.Physical chemistry 2012 : 11th international conference on fundamental and applied aspects of physical chemistry; Belgrade (Serbia); 24-28 September 201
