Origins of nitric oxide synthase-containing nerve fibers in the rat basilar artery with reference to the fine structure of the nerve fibers.

The origins of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing nerve fibers in the rat basilar artery were studied by a combination of Fluoro-Gold retrograde tracing and immunohistochemistry. After application of Fluoro-Gold onto the middle part of the basilar artery, the dye accumulated in the sphenopalatine, otic, trigeminal, superior cervical, nodose ganglia and in the spinal ganglia at level C2 and C3. Nerve cells with NOS-like immunoreactivity were detected in the above ganglia, except for the superior cervical ganglion. Neurons that showed both NOS-like immunoreactivity and Fluoro-Gold fluorescence were numerous in the sphenopalatine and otic ganglia, and less numerous in the trigeminal, nodose and spinal ganglia. Under electron microscopy, a number of unmyelinated nerve terminals with neuronal NOS-like immunoreactivity was seen in proximity to smooth muscle cells in the tunica media of the basilar artery. These findings provide morphological evidence that NOS-containing nerve fibers in the rat basilar artery have multiple origins, and suggest that the control of posterior cerebral circulation by the parasympathetic and sensory ganglia are more complex than previously considered.