Effect of dietary black rice outer layer fraction on inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in apoE-deficient mice

AIM: To explore the effect of dietary black rice outlayer fraction (BRF) on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, and elucidate the possible mechanism of BRF anti-atherogenesis in apoE-deficient mice. METHODS: After 16 weeks intervention by 5% BRF, aortic iNOS activity in different groups was determined by RIA. iNOS mRNA expression in aorta were analyzed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Mice in BRF group showed weaker expression of iNOS mRNA and lower iNOS activity than those in positive and WRF group (P＜0.05). No significant difference was observed between positive group and WRF group (P＞0.05). CONCLUSION:The supplementation of BRF has dra- matically reduced aortic sinus atherosclerotic plaque areas compared to WRF in apoE-deficient mice and its action of ant-atherogenesis may be attributed to its inhibition of iNOS activity and iNOS mRNA expression.