Aluminum treatment induces nitric oxide synthase in the rat brain.

In an attempt to delineate the capacity of aluminum to promote pro-oxidant events in the central nervous system, levels of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) have been determined in the cerebellum of rats exposed to an aluminum salt, either alone or in combination with an iron compound. Relatively acute treatment with aluminum over a three-day period, increased cerebellar levels of NOS. Parallel results were obtained when animals were dosed over a more extended three-week period. Dosing with an iron compound resulted in no changes in levels of this enzyme. Concurrent treatment with aluminum and iron did not potentiate the NOS-inducing effects of aluminum. By use of selective inhibitors, the specific induction of iNOS by aluminum treatment was found. The results suggest that the presence of aluminum can induce cerebellar NOS and that these changes are independent of any interaction between aluminum and erogenous iron.