Elevation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in the mouse brain after chronic nonylphenol exposure.

Abstract

The present study was performed to investigate the effects of chronic administration of nonylphenol (NP) on the expression of inflammation-related genes in the brains of mice. NP was given orally by gavages at 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/d. The expression of inflammatory enzymes, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting assays. The nitric oxide (NO) level and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity were also measured by biochemical analyses. The results showed that NP at a high dose (200 mg/kg/d) significantly increased the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in both the hippocampus and cortex. In parallel with the increase in iNOS expression, the NO level was significantly greater at the dose of 200 mg/kg/d, compared to the control. The activity of NOS was also increased in the brain of mice at the dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg/d. These findings demonstrate that NP may have the potential to induce the chronic inflammation or cause neurotoxicity in the mouse brain.

• Authors: Yan-Qiu Zhang, Zhen Mao, Yuan-Lin Zheng, Bao-Ping Han, Ling-Tong Chen, Jing Li, Fei Li
• Journal: International journal of molecular sciences (Int J Mol Sci) Vol. 9 Issue 10 Pg. 1977-88 (Oct 2008) ISSN: 1422-0067 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 19325730 (Publication Type: Journal Article)