Effect of exogenous nitric oxide in experimental trichinellosis.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical that has been given much attention over the past few years. It has been nicknamed a "killer" and "mediator" due to its toxic and signaling properties. Apart from its regular physiological function, NO indirectly participates in infectious diseases. Our investigations showed that NO administered as a drug may involve higher histopathological changes in infected animals and can involve higher infection. This report seems to be the first presentation of the participation of NO reactive nitrogen intermediates in the morphological transformation of muscle cells in trichinellosis.