Antioxidant properties of glutamine and its role in VEGF-Akt pathways in portal hypertension gastropathy

Figure 4 Representative expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, vascular endothelial growth factor, Akt and nitrotyrosine determined by immunohistochemical analysis of gastric tissue from rats in the sham-operated group, the partial portal vein ligation group and rats subjected to partial portal vein ligation and glutamine treatment. A: An increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression was observed in the partial portal vein ligation (PPVL) group compared with the sham-operated (SO) group. The PPVL + glutamine (G) group showed reduced expression of this enzyme vs the PPVL group; B: An increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was observed in the PPVL group vs the SO group. The PPVL + G group did not show a reduction in the expression of VEGF vs the PPVL group; C: An increase in Akt protein expression was found in the PPVL group vs the SO group. The PPVL + G group showed a reduction in the expression of this enzyme vs the PPVL group; D: An increase in nitrotyrosine expression was observed in the PPVL group vs the SO group. The PPVL + G group showed reduced expression of this enzyme vs the PPVL group. Analysis of the field was carried out precisely in the submucosal region, where there is evidence of edema and vasodilatation. eNOS staining; original magnification × 10. ^aP < 0.05 vs the SO group.