Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase attenuates NNMU-induced alveolar injury in vivo

Research demonstrates that alveolar injury caused by N-nitroso-N-methylurethane is prolonged by administration of intraperitoneal injections of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(super w)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Evidence indicates that nitric oxide is directly involved in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Experiments using healthy Sprague-Dawley rats are described.