Immunohistochemical Expression of NO-synthase Constitutive Isoform (cNOS)in Mammals Normal Prostate and in Human Prostatic Obstructive Hyperplasia

The aim of present study is to investigate the immunohistochemical identification of cNOS-containing prostatic structures in various species and in hyperplastic human prostate. We used specimens of rat, guinea pig and hamster. Human prostatic specimens were removed from patients suffering of prostatic hyperplasia. The study was processed by ABC method. Immunohistochemical staining with anti nNOS antibody revealed the existence of strong reactivity in numerous ganglionic cell bodies and varicose nerve fibers in the fibromuscular stroma, in smooth cells around acini and in blood vessels endothelium. Surprisingly nNOS immunoreactivity appears in the glandular epithelium. In the hyperplastic prostate the nitroxidergic innervation of stroma and glandular epithelium is almost absent. These data provide a morphological evidence for a segmental differentiation of NOS-containing prostatic structures and consequently suggest that in the prostate NO plays selective neural and paraneural roles in the control of blood flow, smooth-muscle tone (relaxation) and secretory function. Further immunohistochemical studies are carrying out to elucidate the prostatic role in aging, after hormonal perturbation and pathological processes.