[Changes of inducible nitric oxide synthase in lipopolysaccharide-mediated degeneration of dopaminergic neurons].

Objective: To explore whether the upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neurodegeneration.

Methods: 108 SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: experimental group and normal control group, and each group was sub-divided into 5 subgroups of 18 rats to undergo examination at different time points (6 h, 12 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d). LPS was stereotaxically infused into the substantia nigra (SN) of left side of the experimental rats and PBS was used instead for the control rats.