eNOS Expression in the Cerebellum of Dogs Naturally Infected with Canine Distemper Virus and Realationship with Apoptosis

Abstract

Objective: In this study, the role of eNOS expression in the neuropathology of canine distemper disease was investigated. Materials and Methods: In the study, cerebellar tissues of 20 dogs brought for necropsy and diagnosed with distemper by histopathological and immunohistochemical methods were used. Cerebellum tissues from 7 dogs that died of other diseases in which the central nervous system was not affected were used as controls. All tissues were fixed in 10% buffered formalin solution for 48 h then washed thoroughly in tap water overnight. After dehydration in graded alcohols, cleared in xylene and embedded in paraffin. Paraffin blocks of cerebellum were cut at 5 μm and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed according to the manufacturer's protocol. Results: Expression of eNOS and cells undergoing apoptosis in infected tissues were increased compared to control tissues. This difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: As a result, increased eNOS expression may be one of the factors that trigger apoptosis in neuropathology of canine distemper disease. However, further studies are needed for other effects that contribute to the neuropathology of the disease