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Inhibition by spermine of the induction of nitric oxide synthase in J774.2 macrophages: requirement of a serum factor
Author(s) -
Szabó Csaba,
Southan Garry J.,
Wood Elizabeth,
Thiemermann Christoph,
Vane John R.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1994.tb13078.x
Subject(s) - nitric oxide synthase , spermine , nitric oxide , chemistry , atp synthase , pharmacology , biochemistry , medicine , enzyme , endocrinology
Polyamines are endogenous regulators of various cell functions. Nitric oxide (NO) is a cytostatic and cytotoxic free radical which is produced by the inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in immuno‐stimulated macrophages. We tested whether spermine modulates the induction of iNOS in J774.2 macrophages. Stimulation of macrophages by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or γ‐interferon increased the accumulation of nitrite in the culture medium. Spermine (10 −6 − 10 −4 m ) inhibited nitrite production without causing cytotoxicity. This inhibition of NO formation by spermine was significantly reduced when it was given 6 h after LPS. Spermine did not inhibit nitrite accumulation when foetal calf serum was omitted from the tissue culture medium. Thus, spermine is an inhibitor of the induction of iNOS, and its inhibitory activity requires the presence of a serum factor.