青白散对慢性软组织损伤模型大鼠骨骼肌一氧化氮合酶系统和一氧化氮的影响*☆

背景：对慢性软组织损伤后一氧化氮合酶系统和一氧化氮的研究目前较少。 目的：观察青白散对大鼠慢性软组织损伤模型骨骼肌中一氧化氮合酶系统和一氧化氮的影响。 方法：雄性 SD 大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、氨基胍组、青白散组。后3组采用机械损伤法制备慢性骨骼肌损伤动物模型,分别予以生理盐水 10 mL/kg,0.10 g/kg氨基胍,0.54 g/kg青白散,1次/d,连续 14 d。于给药后1,2,3周,分别检测大鼠肌组织一氧化氮含量、总一氧化氮合酶和诱导型一氧化氮合酶的活性。 结果与结论：骨骼肌损伤修复过程中,模型组大鼠骨骼肌中一氧化氮含量、总一氧化氮合酶和诱导型一氧化氮合酶的活性较对照组显著增高;而青白散组和氨基胍组大鼠骨骼肌中一氧化氮含量、总一氧化氮合酶和诱导型一氧化氮合酶的活性均较模型组显著降低。说明青白散可能通过阻抑诱导型一氧化氮合酶诱导过量一氧化氮的产生,为慢性软组织损伤的修复创造了有利条件。     

Time-related changes in constitutive and inducible nitric oxide synthases in the rat striatum in a model of Huntington's disease

Excitotoxicity and oxidative stress are mechanisms involved in the neuronal cell death induced by the intrastriatal injection of quinolinic acid (QUIN) as a model of Huntington's disease. Production of nitric oxide by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) has been proposed to participate in QUIN-induced neurotoxicity; however, the precise role of NOS in QUIN-induced toxicity still remains controversial. In order to provide further information on the role of NOS isoforms in QUIN toxicity, we performed real time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry of inducible NOS (iNOS), endothelial NOS (eNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS) and determined Ca(2+)-dependent and Ca(2+)-independent NOS activity in a temporal course (3-48h), after an intrastriatal injection of QUIN to rats. NOS isoforms exhibited a transitory expression of mRNA and protein after QUIN infusion: eNOS increased between 3 and 24h, iNOS between 12 and 24h, while nNOS at 35 and 48h. Ca(2+)-independent activity (iNOS) did not show any change, while Ca(2+)-dependent activity (constitutive NOS: eNOS/nNOS) exhibited increased levels at 3h. Our results support the participation of Ca(2+)-dependent NOS isoforms during the toxic events produced at early times after QUIN injection.     

Amyloid-β peptide activates cultured astrocytes: morphological alterations, cytokine induction and nitric oxide release

A common feature of many neurodegenerative disorders is an abundance of activated glial cells (astrocytes and microglia). In Alzheimer's disease (AD), activated astrocytes are in close apposition to and surrounding the amyloid plaques. The mechanisms by which the astrocytes become activated in AD and the consequences of reactive astrocytosis to disease progression are not known. We examined the possibility that the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide, a major constituent of the amyloid plaque, could act as a stimulus leading to activation. We found that treatment of rat cortical astrocyte cultures with aggregated Aβ 1–42 peptide induces activation, as assessed by reactive morphological changes and upregulation of selective glial mRNA and proteins, such as the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β. Aβ also stimulates inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA levels and nitric oxide (NO) release. Aβ 1–42, a major form of amyloid associated with neurotoxicity, activated astrocytes in a time- and dose-dependent manner, whereas a scrambled Aβ 1–42 sequence or Aβ 17–42 had little or no effect. We also determined that the Aβ activity can be found in a supernatant fraction containing soluble Aβ oligomers. Our data suggest that Aβ plays a role in the reactive astrocytosis of AD and that the inflammatory response induced upon glial activation is a critical component of the neurodegenerative process.     

Our shifting understanding of the role of nitric oxide in autoimmune encephalomyelitis: a review

Nitric oxide was first described being produced in inflammatory cells involved in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in 1992. Since then some 45 papers have appeared examining the role of NO in this central nervous system autoimmune inflammatory disease. Of the first 10 papers published all resulted in the interpretation that NO was a pathologic or “bad” molecule in the context of EAE. A few papers then began to appear suggesting that NO may not in fact always be a harmful molecule and by the end of 1997 early 1998, 22 papers suggested a destructive role for the molecule while three suggested it was protective. The past two years have seen a significant increase in reports supporting a protective mechanism for NO in EAE such that as of July 1999, 27 papers suggest a destructive and 15 a protective role for NO with a few uncommitted. This review sets out in a more or less chronological order the studies examining the role of NO in EAE and maps our changing understanding of the molecules role in this CNS inflammatory disease and by inference perhaps multiple sclerosis.     

Further evidence for a role of nitric oxide in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis: aminoguanidine treatment modifies its clinical evolution

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in inflammatory/demyelinating diseases is undergoing extensive investigation as a potential target for therapeutic intervention. However, interference with NO production has resulted in contrasting effects on the development of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), the most widely used experimental model for multiple sclerosis (MS). Purpose of this paper was both the analysis of the individual clinical evolution of EAE induced in Lewis female rats by active immunisation and the evaluation of the effect of treatment with aminoguanidine, a selective inhibitor for the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In our experimental model, relapse occurred in 66% of animals. Aminoguanidine treatment, started 3 days before immunisation, guaranteed a complete recovery from the acute phase and a delayed, milder relapse. Moreover, 79 days after immunisation inflammatory cellular infiltrates in the spinal cord were reduced. These data further support the involvement of NO in EAE evolution.     

Perivascular localization of nitric oxide synthase in the rat adenohypophysis: potential implications for function and cell–cell interaction

The possible localization of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) in proximity to the microvasculature was examined in the rat adenohypophysis using immunohistochemistry and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase histochemistry. A population of NOS-positive cells was localized in very close contact with the sinusoidal capillaries. The pattern of this perivascular localization was either unicellular, bicellular or multicellular. These observations suggest that, at least, some actions of NO in the adenohypophysis can be accounted for by a local regulation of the glandular microvasculature.     

In situ localization of nitric oxide synthase and direct evidence of NO production in rat retinal ganglion cells

The expression of isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), enzymes responsible for NO production, and the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) in rat retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) during synaptogenesis for various phases of the pre- and postnatal developmental periods were investigated. The retinas from prenatal, lactating, young, and adult rats were fixed in paraformaldehyde. The cryosections or paraformaldehyde-fixed ganglion cells purified from rat pups were immunostained for constitutive isoforms of NOS (n and eNOS) and observed with a confocal laser scanning microscope. Synthesis of NO in the RGCs was achieved by in vitro stimulation with glutamate. The intracellular NO levels were measured in real time using diaminofluorescein-2 diacetate, a fluorescence indicator of NO. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed nNOS and eNOS expressed in retinal ganglion cells during the first 2 postnatal weeks. Cultured RGCs also expressed nNOS and eNOS in vitro. Intracellular NO levels in cultured RGCs showed spontaneous fluctuation during a 20-min observation. The presence of both a non-specific NOS inhibitor, L-NAME, and a specific nNOS inhibitor, 7-NI, significantly inhibited (P<0.001) the increase of intracellular NO 6 and 8 min after the introduction of L-arginine and glutamate to the medium. This study revealed that all constitutive NOS isoforms are expressed in RGCs and demonstrated that NO is produced by nNOS mainly through stimulation by glutamate in cultured RGCs.     

3,4-diaminopyridine-evoked noradrenaline release in rat hippocampal slices: facilitation by endogenous or exogenous nitric oxide

The involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the evoked release of noradrenaline (NA) was studied in rat hippocampal slices preincubated with [³H]NA and stimulated with 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP; 200 μM) for 2 min. The 3,4-DAP-evoked [³H]overflow was enhanced by the NO synthase substratel-arginine, but not byd-arginine; it was reduced by the NO synthase inhibitorN^G-mitro-l-arginine, whichl-arginine. Also drugs known to produce NO in-vitro, like sodium nitroprusside (SNP), 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1) andS-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) enhanced the 3,4-DAP-evoked NA release. The NO scavenger hemoglobin showed no significant effects when given alone, but reduced or abolished, respectively, the facilitatory effects of SNP, or SNAP andl-arginine. The cyclic GMP derivatives 8-Br-cGMP and Sp-8-p-chlorophenylthioguanosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphorothioate (Sp-8-pCPT-cGMPS) also acted facilitatory, whereas the corresponding Rp-enantiomer of the latter compound was inactive, but antagonized the effect of Sp-8-pCPT-cGMPS. NA release evoked by 3,4-DAP (10 μM) from rat hippocampus synaptosomes was not affected byl-arginine orN^G-nitro-l-arginine but slightly increased by SNAP and Sp-8-pCPT-cGMPS. Antagonists at NMDA, non-NMDA and metabotropic glutamate receptors neither affected the 3,4-DAP-evoked NA release nor the facilitatory effect ofl-arginine. From these findings we conclude that endogenously formed NO facilitates 3,4-DAP-evoked NA release in rat hippocampus, possibly by a cyclic GMP dependent mechanism; NMDA receptor stimulation and glutamate release seem not to be involved in this phenomenon.     

Excitatory action of N-methyl- -aspartate on the rat locus coeruleus is mediated by nitric oxide: an in vivo voltammetric study

Biochemical, electrophysiological and behavioural studies have provided evidence that activation of N-methyl- -aspartate (NMDA) receptors contributes to the hyperactivity of noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC) in precipitated opioid withdrawal. Recently, it was demonstrated that central administration of nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors suppresses this hyperactivity suggesting that NO mediates the NMDA receptor activation of LC in opioid withdrawal. Using a combination of microdialysis and in vivo voltammetry, this study examined whether local application of NMDA to the LC in opioid naive animals mimics the NO-dependent LC response seen in opioid withdrawal. In the urethane anaesthetized rat, perfusion of the LC (2 μl min⁻¹) with a solution of NMDA (5 mmol) via a microdialysis probe for 9 min resulted in a rapid and robust increase (290.1±32.2% above baseline) in the catechol oxidation current (CA·OC) recorded from the LC using differential normal pulse voltammetry (DNPV). The NMDA microdialysis also produced a large increase in the blood pressure (150.4±6.9% above baseline). An injection of the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist (+)MK-801 (0.5 mg kg⁻¹ i.v.), given 45 min after the start of NMDA application, rapidly returned both the CA·OC signal and the blood pressure response to baseline levels. Pretreatment of animals with intraventricular nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, N^ω-nitro- -arginine methyl ester ( -NAME) (100 μg) significantly inhibited NOS activity in the LC, PAG-PVG and cerebellum. This dose of -NAME, administered prior to application of NMDA by microdialysis abolished the NMDA-induced rise in the CAOC recorded in the LC and the increase in systolic blood pressure. The results show that in voltammetry experiments, NMDA produces hyperactivity of LC and hypertension, responses that are dependent upon the synthesis of NO. Thus, in opioid naive rats, regional NMDA application via microdialysis mimics characteristics of the LC response that occur during the antagonist-precipitated opioid withdrawal.     

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the rat is inhibited by aminoguanidine, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase

This study assessed the role of de novo nitric oxide (NO) production in the pathogenesis of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) by using aminoguanidine (AG), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). which preferentially inhibits the cytokine- and endotoxin-inducible isoform of NOS versus the constitutive isoforms consisting of endothelial and neuronal NOS. The maximum clinical severity of EAE and the duration of illness were significantly reduced or totally inhibited by twice daily subcutaneous injection of 100 mg/kg body weight AG. Histochemical staining for NADPH diaphorase, which detects enzymatic activity of NOS, revealed positive reactivity in untreated EAE rats both in parenchymal blood vessel walls and in anterior horn cell neurons, while normal rats and rats with EAE treated with AG showed predominantly the neuronal positivity. Moreover, this NADPH staining pattern was further supported by the immunohistochemical findings that endothelial NOS (eNOS) expression was increased in blood vessels in the inflamed lesions of untreated EAE rats and that inducible NOS (iNOS) was detected in some infiltrating inflammatory cells, while treatment with AG could significantly reduce both iNOS and eNOS production. These results suggest that: (i) both iNOS and eNOS are upregulated in inflamed areas of the rat central nervous system in EAE; (ii) increased NO production plays a role in the development of clinical signs in EAE; and (iii) selective inhibitors of iNOS and/or eNOS may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of certain autoimmune diseases.     

Role of nitric oxide in pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures: age-dependent effects in the immature rat

PURPOSE: Seizure susceptibility and consequences are highly age dependent. To understand the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in seizures and their consequences during development, we investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO) in severe pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures in immature rats. METHODS: Four cortical electrodes were implanted in 10-day-old (P10) and 21-day-old (P21) rats, and seizures were induced on the following day by repetitive injections of subconvulsive doses of PTZ. The effects of NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME; 10 mg/kg) and 7-nitroindazole (7NI; 40 mg/kg), two NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors, and l-arginine (l-arg; 300 mg/kg), the NOS substrate, were evaluated regarding the mean PTZ dose, seizure type and duration, and mortality rate. RESULTS: At P10, the postseizure mortality rate increased from 18-29% for the rats receiving PTZ only to 100% and 89% for the rats receiving l-NAME and 7NI, respectively; whereas l-arg had no effect. Conversely, at P21, NOS inhibitors did not affect the 82-89% mortality rate induced by PTZ alone, whereas l-arg decreased the mortality rate to 29%. In addition, all NO-related drugs increased the duration of ictal activity at P10, whereas at P21, l-arg and l-NAME affected the first seizure type, producing clonic seizures with l-arg and tonic seizures with l-NAME. CONCLUSIONS: The relative natural protection of very immature rats (P10) against PTZ-induced deaths could be linked to a high availability of l-arg and, hence, endogenous NO. At P21, the modulation of seizure type by NO-related compounds may be related to the maturation of the brain circuitry, in particular the forebrain, which is involved in the expression of clonic seizures.     

Role of nitric oxide and melanogenesis in the accomplishment of anticryptococcal activity by the BV-2 microglial cell line

In the present paper, we investigated the involvement of cryptococcal melanogenesis and macrophage nitric oxide (NO) production in the accomplishment of anticryptococcal activity by microglial effector cells, using the murine cell line BV-2. We demonstrate that the constitutive levels of anticryptococcal activity exerted by BV-2 cells is significantly enhanced upon interferon γ plus lipopolysaccharide treatment. The phenomenon, which occurs with no enhancement of phagocytic activity, is associated with the production of high levels of NO and is abolished by addition of ^G-monomethyl-l-arginine. Comparable patterns of results are observed employing either unopsonized or opsonized microbial targets, the latter microorganisms being markedly more susceptible to BV-2 cell antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, melanization of Cryptococcus neoformans significantly reduces its susceptibility to BV-2 antimicrobial activity, regardless of the fact that activated macrophages or opsonized microorganisms have been employed. In conclusion, our results provide evidence that NO-dependent events are involved in the fulfillment of anticryptococcal activity by activated microglial cells and that fungal melanization is a precious escamotage through which C. neoformans overcomes host defenses.     

Localization of NADPH-diaphorase/nitric oxide synthase in the rat retina: an electron microscopic study

The activity of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d), a marker for nitric oxide synthase (NOS), was examined histochemically in the rat and mice retina. Mice in which the neuronal NOS gene has been disrupted (nNOS⁻ mice) were used for specificity controls. Light microscopically a few amacrine cells were heavily stained. Other cells were stained weakly or not at all. Under the electron microscope, formazan precipitates were detectable on membranes of endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear envelope, mitochondria, and, in a few cases, the Golgi complex. Bipolar, horizontal, and Mu¨ller cells, were if at all, sparsely labeled with formazan. Labeled mitochondria were observed in rod endings and in inner segments of photoreceptors. Outer segments of photoreceptors and ganglion cells were completely free of reaction product. The NADPH-d reaction in wild-type mice displayed a similar distribution pattern to that in rats. Retinaee of nNOS⁻ mice showed a complete lack of prominent NADPH-d stained (amacrine) cells. Non or a very few labeled membranes were seen.     

Excitotoxic action of NMDA agonists on nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons: modulation by inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis

Focal infusions of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) or an endogenous NMDA agonist, quinolinic acid (QUIN), into the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) of adult Sprague-Dawley rats resulted in a dose-dependent depletion of ipsilateral striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity, a biochemical marker for dopaminergic neurons. To assess the intermediary role of nitric oxide in the neurotoxicity elicited by these toxins, their action was tested in animals treated with N^ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Systemic injections (2 injections; 8 h apart) of L-NAME (100, 150 and 250 mg/kg) produced a dose-related inhibition of cerebellar nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. The time-course of cerebellar NOS inhibition following L-NAME (250 mg/kg) was rapid in onset and lasted for at least 24 h following the second injection. An L-NAME treatment regimen of 250 mg/kg, with the second injection given 24 h prior to assessment of NOS activity, produced an 87 and 91% inhibition of cerebellar and nigral NOS activity, respectively. Intranigral infusion of 40 and 60 nmol QUIN reduced ipsilateral striatal TH activity by 62 and 75%, respectively. However, 40 and 60 nmol QUIN infusions into animals pretreated with L-NAME (250 mg/kg) reduced striatal TH activity by 83 and 96%, respectively. Intranigral infusion of 15 and 30 nmol NMDA produced a 48 and 77% decrease in striatal TH activity, respectively, whereas the same doses of NMDA given to animals pretreated with L-NAME (250 mg/kg) resulted in a 59 and 88% decrease in TH activity. Thus, both QUIN and NMDA toxicity was enhanced following L-NAME pretreatment. The destruction of the nigrostriatal pathway was verified using TH immunocytochemistry of the SNc. It was also observed that a low dose of L-NAME (1.5 mg/kg), previously shown to be neuroprotective in cerebral ischemic damage, did not influence NMDA (15 nmol) neurotoxicity. The results of this study show that extensive inhibition of NOS activity enhances NMDA receptor-mediated excitoxicity.     

诱导型一氧化氮合酶基因多态与脑卒中合并冠心病

目的 探讨诱导型一氧化氮合酶(NOS)2A基因多态与脑卒中合并冠心病发病的关系.方法 以rs28944190位点为遗传标记,采用聚合酶链反应(PCR)和限制性片段长度多态性(RFLP)检测708例脑卒中患者和235名对照组人群NOS2A基因的多态性.结果 脑卒中组和对照组的rs28944190位点等位基因、基因型频率差异无统计学意义;以是否合并冠心病对病例组人群进行分层后,cocaphase分析表明合并冠心病的脑卒中组rs28944190位点的C等位基因频率(23.9%)较单纯脑卒中组(16.6%)明显增高(x2=5.629,P=0.018,OR=1.580,95%CI 1.083～2.306),这种差异在男性患者更加明显(x2=8.592,P=0.003,OR=1.983,95%CI 1.255～3.134).卡方检验表明合并冠心病的脑卒中组AC+CC基因型的频率(47.9%)明显高于单纯脑卒中组(30.8%,x2=10.761,P=0.001,OR=2.065,95%CI 1.34～3.19),在男性患者差异更加明显(x2=15.762,P=0.000,OR=2.985,95%CI 1.74～5.12).结论 NOS2A基因与脑卒中的发病可能无关,但可能与合并冠心病的脑卒中发病相关.     

Neuropeptide-containing neurons in the endopiriform region of the rat: morphology and colocalization with calcium-binding proteins and nitric oxide synthase

The endopiriform nucleus, further divided into dorsal and ventral parts, and the neighbouring pre-endopiriform (pEn) nucleus form a region of highly heterogeneous structure involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes. Nonpyramidal neurons of this region containing three neuropeptides-somatostatin (SOM), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-were examined in this study. Their colocalization with three calcium-binding proteins-parvalbumin (PV), calbindin D28k (CB), calretinin (CR), and with nitric oxide synthase (NOS), was investigated by qualitative and quantitative methods. The results are summarized as follows: (1) all studied substances are distributed in neurons of the entire region, (2) SOM-ir neurons constitute the most numerous neuropeptide-containing population, whereas NOS-ir neurons make up the largest population of all studied, (3) colocalizations are found in the endopiriform region (Enr) (SOM with CB, PV and NOS; VIP with CR; NPY with NOS and NOS with CR), (4) heterogeneity of the endopiriform region appears in the differences of cells' shape distributions of single-labeled (SOM-, CR-PV-ir) and double-labeled (SOM/CB-, SOM/PV-, NPY/NOS- and NOS/CR-ir) neurons, as well as in differentiated percentage values of SOM/NOS, NPY/NOS and VIP/CR double-labeled neurons in three studied parts; additionally, differences in distribution of immunoreactive neuropil elements between parts of the region are observed. Numerous regional differences concerning neuronal morphology and immunocytochemical characteristics justify further division of the endopiriform region into distinguished parts. Some immunocytochemical features of the neurons in studied region may contribute to the role in epileptogenesis.     

Cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate-mediated neuroprotection by nitric oxide in dissociated cultures of rat dorsal root ganglion neurones

In dissociated cultures of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) derived from 15-day-old rats, many neurones expressed nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and this expression was found to be reduced by nerve growth factor. The application of blockers of NOS caused selective death of those neurones expressing NOS. The soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) blocker ODQ also caused neuronal death. The appearance of the neurones undergoing cell death was typical of apoptosis. This suggests that NO has a neuroprotective action in DRG neurones which is probably mediated by its activation of cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate. These observations are discussed in relation to the developmental and neuropathic changes in NOS expression by DRG neurones.     

中国人内皮型一氧化氮合酶基因G894T多态性与脑梗死相关性的Meta分析

目的综合评价中国人内皮型一氧化氮合酶基因G894T(Glu298Asp)多态性与脑梗死的关系。方法搜集国内外公开发表的有关中国人内皮型一氧化氮合酶基因G894T多态性与脑梗死关系的研究文献,剔除不符合要求的文献,应用Meta分析软件RevMan5.1,对各研究结果进行异质性检验及数据合并,应用RevMan5.1和Stata11.0评估发表偏倚。结果共有11篇文献纳入Meta分析,累计病例组1768例,对照组1818例。合并基因型(GT+TT)/GG的OR值为1.46,95%CI为1.24～1.73(P<0.00001),合并基因型TT/GG的OR值为2.18,95%CI为1.32～3.61(P=0.002),合并基因型GT/GG的OR值为1.41,95%CI 1.18～1.67(P=0.0001),合并等位基因T/G的OR值为1.65,95%CI 1.28～2.12(P=0.0001)。结论中国人内皮型一氧化氮合酶基因G894T(Glu298Asp)多态性与脑梗死的发病具有相关性。携带基因型TT、GT及等位基因T可增加患脑梗死的风险。     

LPS/IFN-gamma cytotoxicity in oligodendroglial cells: role of nitric oxide and protection by the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10

Proinflammatory mediators have been implicated in demyelinating disorders, including multiple sclerosis, whereas it has been proposed that the anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin- (IL-) 4 and IL-10 participate in disease recovery. The present study analysed the effect of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) on proliferation and survival of progenitors and differentiated oligodendrocytes. We also investigated the presence of receptors for IL-4 and IL-10 in oligodendroglial cells and explored a possible protective action of IL-4 and IL-10 in cultures following LPS/IFN-gamma. Finally, the role of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) on cell viability and the modulatory action of IL-4 and IL-10 on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression were also analysed. We report that LPS and/or IFN-gamma reduced proliferation and viability of oligodendroglial cells. Cell death, presumably by apoptosis as evidence by TUNEL and Annexin V binding, was observed following LPS/IFN-gamma, progenitors being more sensitive than differentiated cells. At both developmental stages, LPS/IFN-gamma-treated cultures expressed iNOS protein and released micromolar concentrations of NO. In progenitors, LPS/IFN-gamma-mediated cell damage was partially dependent on endogenous NO production, whereas NO was fundamental for cytotoxicity of differentiated oligodendrocytes. Both cell types expressed mRNA for IL-4 and IL-10 receptors and expression of IL-10 receptors at the protein level was also demonstrated. Treatment with either cytokine inhibited the expression of iNOS resulting from the proinflammatory stimulation. IL-10 was more effective than IL-4 in suppressing iNOS expression and, interestingly, IL-10 conferred protection against oligodendroglial death evoked by LPS/IFN-gamma. Our data raise the question of whether IL-10 may play a protective role in demyelinating diseases, not only downregulating the function of inflammatory cells but also promoting survival of progenitors and differentiated oligodendrocytes.