Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA and production of nitric oxide are induced by adenosine triphosphate in cultured rat microglia

The effect of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) on the expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA and production of nitric oxide in cultured rat microglia was examined. ATP induced iNOS mRNA dose-dependently (100-1000 mu M). The induction began within 1 h after addition of ATP (100 mu M) with peak expression occurring at 6 h. The release of nitric oxide to culture medium was significantly increased by the treatment with ATP (100 and 1000 mu M) for 12 and 24 h. These results indicate that ATP is a potential mediator to induce iNOS mRNA expression and NO production in microglia. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.