Adhesion development and the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

ObjectiveThis 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.MethodsSkin, 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.ResultseNOS 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.ConclusioneNOS mRNA can be identified in tissue adhesions, and may therefore play a role in adhesion formation and maintenance.