Objective: To test the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the pathophysiology of arthritis.
Methods: Arthritis was induced in male Lewis rats by the injection of adjuvant into the base of the tail. The NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMA), was administered daily by the oral route for 19 days. Paw swelling, plasma fibrinogen levels, and urinary NO2/NO3 levels were measured to assess the effect of L-NMA on the arthritic response and whole-body NO production, respectively. On day 20, the ankle joints were processed for histopathologic evaluation.
Results: The onset of clinical symptoms was preceded by elevated biosynthesis of NO. In a dose-dependent manner, L-NMA inhibited both NO biosynthesis and paw swelling; histopathologic changes in the ankle joints were also prevented. D-NMA had no effect on the development of arthritis, while L-arginine reversed the effects of L-NMA. Fibrinogen levels in rats with arthritis were unaffected by L-NMA.
Conclusion: NO is critical to the development of both the inflammatory and erosive components of adjuvant arthritis in rats. There may be a future clinical role for suitable inhibitors of NO production or activity.