ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUGS SUPPRESS INJURY-INDUCED NADPH-D ACTIVITY IN CA1 PYRAMIDAL NEURONS

INDUCIBILITY Of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) or nitric oxide synthase (N OS) has been demonstrated in pyramidal neurones of the hippocampus, bu t the mechanisms of this induction are not known. The present study ai med to assess the role of anti-inflammatory drugs in injury-induced pr oduction of NADPH-d/NOS in CA1 pyramidal neurones. We found that eithe r a steroid, dexamethasone or a non-steroid, indomethacin, prevents in duction of these enzymes. We also found that NO is not necessary for t he induction. None of the three drugs used had detectable effect on th e neurones which contain constitutive NADPH-d/NOS.