Hypoxia-induced modification of the inositol triphosphate receptor in neuronal nuclei of newborn piglets: role of nitric oxide.

Previous studies have shown that hypoxia results in increased Ca2+ influx in neuronal nuclei and generation of nitric oxide (NO) free radicals in the cerebral cortical tissue of newborn piglets. The present study tests the hypothesis that hypoxia results in modification of the inositol triphosphate (IP3) receptor characteristics in neuronal nuclei and that the hypoxia-induced modification of the IP3 receptor is NO mediated. Studies were performed in piglets, 3-5 days old, divided into normoxic (n = 5), hypoxic (n = 5), and NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine (NNLA)-treated hypoxic (n = 5) groups.