Effect of nitric oxide releasing drugs on the intensity of infection during experimental trichinellosis in mice.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to play a critical role in various physiological and pathological conditions. Apart from its physiological functions, NO indirectly participates in certain aspects of the pathology of infectious diseases. The aim of this work was to examine the influence of NO-releasing drugs on the intensity of infection in mice infected with Trichinella spiralis. The selected substances were nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, nitrendipine, sildenafil, and pentaerythritol. These were administered over a prolonged period of time: from the 3rd to the 28th day post-infection. Our study showed that NO administered during trichinellosis may enhance the infection in mice as compared to untreated controls. Thus, treatment with pentaerythritol caused a 44% increase in the intensity of infection relative to the untreated controls, sildenafil a 37% increase, and nitrendipine a 30% increase. This effect may be related to the action of NO on the host's defence mechanisms.