Pro-inflammatory cytokines and lipopolysaccharide synergize to induce L-arginine transport and iNOS activity in vascular smooth muscle cells

The interactions between proinflammatory cytokines and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on L-arginine transporter and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activities were examined in rat cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. 2. LPS induced a concentration (0.01 - 100 μg ml-1) and time- (8 - 24 h) dependent stimulation of nitrite production which was accompanied by a parallel increase in Larginine transport.