title: Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in transplanted rat liver and its inhibitory effect.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is reported that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) plays an important role in rejection. This study was designed to observe the expression of iNOS in the transplanted liver tissues and the effect of aminoguanidine(an inhibitor of iNOS) and FK506(immunosuppression) on acute rejection after liver transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  All rats were divided into four groups: homogeneous (LEW-LEW), acute rejection (BN-LEW), aminoguanidine (BN-LEW), and FK506 (BN-LEW). In the last two groups the drugs were used in heterogeneous rats after liver transplantation. The expression of iNOS in liver tissues of all groups was investigated immunohistochemically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the acute rejection group, the expression of iNOS was extremely positive compared to the other three groups. The difference was statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During the process of acute rejection in rat orthotopic liver transplantation, the enhanced expression of iNOS correlates to the severity of rejection. Aminoguanidine and FK506 can inhibit the expression of iNOS and palliate acute rejection.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China. wgymd@sina.com
authors.forename: Guang-Yi
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Bai
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Xiao-Hong
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006146:Guanidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D051381:Rats; D011914:Rats, Inbred BN; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006146:Guanidines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496318:Nos2 protein, rat; C004479:pimagedine; D016559:Tacrolimus