system following esophageal acid stimulation in rats

AIM: To determine the distribution of neurons expressing c-Fos and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the central nerve system (CNS) following esophageal acid exposure, and to investigate the relationship between c-Fos and NOS. METHODS: Twelve Wistar rats were randomly divided into two equal groups. Hydrochloric acid with pepsin was perfused in the lower part of the esophagus for 60 min. As a control, normal saline was used. Thirty minutes after the perfusion, the rats were killed and brains were removed and processed for c-Fos immunohistochemistry and NADPH-d histochemistry. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and respiratory rate (RR) during the experimental procedures were recorded every 10 min. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in BP, H