Adhesion development and the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to determine whether nitric oxide (NO), a potent vasodilator and inhibitor of thrombus formation, is involved in the formation and maintenance of adhesions.

METHODS

Skin, subcutaneous tissues, peritoneum and adhesions were collected from surgical patients and total RNA was isolated. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) was performed to quantitate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and beta-actin mRNA levels.

RESULTS

eNOS mRNA levels for skin, subcutaneous tissue, peritoneum and adhesions were < or = 3.12 x 10(-4), < or = 3.12 x 10(-4), 6.24 x 10(-4) and 2.5 x 10(-3) attomoles/microl, respectively. Beta-actin mRNA levels for all tissues were between 1.25 x 10(-1) and 6.25 x 10(-2) attomoles/microl.

CONCLUSION

eNOS mRNA can be identified in tissue adhesions, and may therefore play a role in adhesion formation and maintenance.