Effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor ω-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester on silica-induced inflammatory reaction and apoptosis

摘要

BackgroundAlthough nitric oxide is overproduced by macrophages and neutrophils after exposure to silica, its role in silica-induced inflammatory reaction and apoptosis needs further clarification. In this study, rats were intratracheally instilled with either silica suspension or saline to examine inflammatory reactions and intraperitoneally injected with ω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthases, or saline to examine the possible role of nitric oxide production in the reaction.