Hydrogen sulfide regulates the expression of nitric oxide/nitric oxide synthase system during recurrent febrile seizures

AIM: To explore the effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on nitric oxide (NO)/nitric oxide synthase (NOS) system during recurrent febrile seizures (FS). METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats aged 21 days were randomly divided into four groups: control group (37.0 ℃ water, n=8); FS group (45.2 ℃ water, n=8); FS+NaHS group (45.2 ℃ water, n=8), FS+HA (hydroxylamine) group (45.2 ℃ water, n=8). FS in rats were induced ten times in a bath of warm water, once every 2 days. The plasma level of H2S and NO was detected by the spectrophotometer method. The expression of NOS mRNA was examined by in situ hybridization. The expression of nNOS protein was observed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The plasma level of NO decreased significantly in FS+NaHS group while elevated obviously in FS+HA group compared with that in FS group. At the same time, the expression of nNOS down-regulated in FS+NaHS group while up-regulated in FS+HA group compared with that in FS group. CONCLUSION: H2S down-regulated the expression of NO/NOS system during recurrent FS.