[Role of nitric oxide in immunological liver injury in mice].

OBJECTIVE

To study the role of nitric oxide (NO) in mouse immunological liver injury.

METHODS

Injection of either bacille calmette guréin (BCG) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alone in mice was used to induce moderate increase of plasma NO level and liver damage were seen after the

RESULTS

Administration of LPS following BCG injection resulted in remarkable elevation of plasma NO level and severe liver damage. The elevation of NO level and liver damage induced by BCG or BCG + LPS were not affected by administration of L-arginine, and substrate of NO synthase. Inhibition of NO synthase by NG-monomethyl-arginine (NMMA) decreased the elevated plasma NO without effect on the elevated plasma GPT and GOT levels induced by BCG injection. The BCG + LPS induced elevation of plasma GPT and GOT levels were more pronounced after NO production was inhibited by NMMA treatment. The action of NMMA mentioned above was partially reversed by simultaneous administration of L-arginine.

CONCLUSION

NO plays a protective action against liver injury induced by BCG + LPS in mice.