Cisplatin treatment of rats results into a significant increase in the
activity of Ca2+-independent nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in kidneys a
nd liver. Significant enhancement of lipid peroxidation in gastric muc
osa, kidneys and liver was also observed. The administration of N-G-ni
tro-L-arginine methyl ester, an inhibitor of NOS, markedly reduced ren
al and gastrointestinal toxicity, and also decreased the content of bl
ood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and incidence of diarrhoea along
with a significant inhibition in lipid peroxidation in the target orga
ns. The present report, while demonstrating the beneficial effect of t
he blockade of NO pathways during cisplatin chemotherapy, may be helpf
ul in developing strategies for combating some of the toxic side-effec
ts of the drug.