IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY AND REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION-POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION FOR DETECTING ADRENOMEDULLIN IN THE CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM

Objective To demonstrate the presence of adrenomedullin in the central nervous system. Methods Using immunohistochemical method (ABC) and re verse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, the d istribution of immunoreactive (IR-) AdM and AdM mRNA was observed in t he rat and the human brain. Results Immunoreactive( IR-) AdM and AdM m RNA were detectable in almost every region of the rat brain examined, including cerebral cortex, paraventricular tissues, hypothalamus, mese ncephalon, medulla oblongata and cerebellum. The levels of AdM mRNA in paraventricular tissues and medulla oblongata were higher than those in the other brain regions. AdM mRNA was also detectable in the human brain. Conclusion The present study shows that AdM is present in the c entral nervous system, suggesting that AdM might act as a neurotransmi tter, neuromodulator or neurohormone in rats or humans.