title: Gadolinium chloride inhibits Kupffer cell nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induction.
abstract: Kupffer cells (KC) are the phagocytic macrophages of the liver. The rare earth metal, gadolinium (GdCl3), is a lanthanide, which, after phagocytosis by the KC, has been found to alter various aspects of KC physiology. In this study, we describe for the first time that the in vivo administration of GdCl3 to rats decreases the release of NO by isolated rat KC in response to lipopolysaccharide. Western blot analysis shows decreased expression of both inducible nitric oxide synthase as well as total cellular calmodulin after GdCl3 treatment. Possible mechanisms for this phenomenon are suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Roland
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Naziruddin
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mohanakumar
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Flye
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002147:Calmodulin / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000201:enzymology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002147:Calmodulin; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D005682:Gadolinium; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D015232:Dinoprostone; C038958:gadolinium chloride