EFFECT OF ADVANCED GLYCOSYLATION END-PRODUCTS ON THE INDUCTION OF NITRIC-OXIDE SYNTHASE IN MURINE MACROPHAGES

We studied the role of advanced glycosylation end products on the indu ction of nitric oxide synthase in peritoneal mouse macrophages previou sly exposed to modified BSA. A dose-dependent increment in the nitric oxide production induced by LPS and IFN-gamma was observed when cell c ultures were pretreated with modified BSA for 48 hours. In addition, t he up regulation of nitric oxide production was also time-dependent, b eing maximal at 24-48 hours. Experiments carried out in the presence o f neutralizing antibodies to IL-1 and TNF-alpha, suggested that up reg ulation was not due to the capacity of modified BSA to induce both pro inflammatory signals. The up regulation of nitric oxide production was paralalled with an increase in iNOS mRNA. (C) 1996 Academic Press, In c.