PRODUCTION OF REACTIVE NITROGEN INTERMEDIATES (RNI) BY PERITONEAL-MACROPHAGES FROM RATS WITH EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE PROSTATITIS (EAP)

Peritoneal macrophages from experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) rats were examined for their capacity to secrete reactive nitrogen int ermediates (RNI), measured by the release of nitrite (NO2-). Under bas al conditions, there was a significant increase of NO2- secretion by c ells from autoimmune rats in relation to resident cells. After stimula tion in vitro with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the NO2- production was h igher in cells from autoimmune rats compared to treated and nontreated controls. The NO2- production was dependent upon the presence of L-ar ginine in the culture medium. The addition of L-N-G-monomethyl arginin e, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, to the medium reduced the a mount of measurable NO2-. Kinetic studies in cells from EAP rats showe d that in basal conditions there was an significant release of NO2- at day 7 of immunization that was maintained during the whole period stu died. After LP8 stimulation, there was a similar behavior and maximum values were reached at day 28 of immunization. These results, together with the lesion observed in the prostate gland, suggest that RNI may be of pathogenic importance in the development of early tissue inflamm ation and autoimmune disease of the prostate.