Abstract
We have investigated the possible presence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in brainstem preganglionic parasympathetic neurons projecting to the sphenopalatine ganglion in rabbits, using combined retrograde axonal tracing and immunohistochemistry. Retrogradely labeled neurons were observed in the ipsilateral rostral medulla and caudal pons, in a region laterodorsal to the facial motor nucleus. Double-labeling experiments demonstrated that 75 ± 5% of retrogradely labeled neurons contained NOS immunoreactivity, while all of retrogradely labeled neurons contained ChAT immunoreactivity. These observations suggest that nitric oxide could influence cholinergic transmission from preganglionic endings in the sphenopalatine ganglion.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 168-172 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Brain Research |
Volume | 769 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 19 Sept 1997 |
Keywords
- Brainstem
- Choline acetyltransferase
- Nitric oxide synthase
- Parasympathetic pathway
- Retrograde tracing
- Sphenopalatine ganglion