A detrimental role for nitric oxide synthase-2 in the pathology resulting from acute cerebral injury

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) synthesized from the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS-2) has been suggested to play both beneficial and deleterious roles in various neuropathologies. To define the role of nitric oxide in traumatic brain injury, we subjected male mice lacking a functional NOS-2 gene (NOS-2-/-) and their wild-type littermates (NOS-2+/+) to mild or severe aseptic cryogenic cerebral injury. Expression of NOS-2 mRNA and protein was observed in NOS-2+/+ animals following injury. Lesion volume (as measured by histology and brain imaging) and neurological outcome (using motor and cognitive behavioral paradigms) were assessed at various times after injury. While magnetic resonance i..