Lanthanum Chloride Inhibiting Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in RAW264.7 Macrophages Induced by Lipopolysaccharide

Nitric oxide (NO) and its reaction products were key players in the pathophysiology of sepsis and shock. The present study was designed to explore the effects of lanthanum chloride (LaCl3) on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, at both gene and protein levels, in RAW264.7 macrophages induced by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunofluorescence, and western blot were employed to measure iNOS gene expression, localization, and protein expression respectively. NO production in culture supernatants was detected by the nitrate reductase method. The results showed that LaCl3 significantly attenuated the iNOS gene and protein expression, as well as NO production in RAW264.7cells induced by LPS.