Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology 
Volume 9 (2001), Issue 2, Pages 113-116
doi:10.1155/S1064744901000199

Adhesion Development and the Expression of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase

David M. Svinarich,1 Fadi M. Zaher,1 Lena Holmdahl,3 Nasser Chegini,2 Bernard Gonik,1 and Michael P. Diamond1

1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, C.S. Mott Center, 275 E. Hancock Ave., Detroit 48201, MI, USA
2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
3Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenske University Hospital, University of Göteborg, Göteborg, Sweden

Received 28 November 2000; Accepted 7 March 2001

Abstract

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 β-actin mRNA levels.

Results: eNOS mRNA levels for skin, subcutaneous tissue, peritoneum and adhesions were ≤ 3.12 × 10-4, ≤ 3.12 × 10-4, 6.24 × 10-4 and 2.5 × 10-3 attomoles/μl, respectively. β-actin mRNA levels for all tissues were between 1.25 × 10-1 and 6.25 × 10-2 attomoles/μl.

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