Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is expressed when cells are induced or stimulated by proinflammatory cytokines and/or bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). iNOS is a downstream gene of the NF-κB pathway. Our previous studies demonstrated that five Nfkb genes are expressed in mouse taste epithelium and taste organoids. However, it is unclear whether activation of the NF-κB pathway could induce iNOS gene expression and increase nitric oxide (NO) production in taste buds. In this study, we investigated the expression of iNOS mRNA and protein after LPS stimulation. Our results showed that a subset of taste bud cells and taste neurons express iNOS proteins after LPS stimulation. In addition, isolated mouse taste epithelium can release NO after exposure to LPS ex vivo. In taste behavioral tests, the NO donor nitroprusside enhanced mouse aversive responses to salty, bitter, and sour taste compounds. The enhanced aversive responses were especially strong for salty taste. In conclusion, our results suggest that iNOS and NO may play a role in the inflammation-associated taste disturbances.

当细胞受到促炎细胞因子和/或细菌脂多糖 (LPS) 诱导或刺激时，诱导型一氧化氮合酶 (iNOS) 就会表达。iNOS 是 NF-κB 通路的下游基因。我们之前的研究表明，小鼠味觉上皮和味觉类器官中有五个 Nfkb 基因表达。然而，尚不清楚 NF-κB 通路的激活是否可以诱导 iNOS 基因表达并增加味蕾中一氧化氮 (NO) 的产生。在本研究中，我们研究了 LPS 刺激后 iNOS mRNA 和蛋白质的表达。我们的结果表明，一部分味蕾细胞和味觉神经元在 LPS 刺激后表达 iNOS 蛋白。此外，分离的小鼠味觉上皮在离体暴露于LPS后可以释放NO。在味觉行为测试中，NO 供体硝普钠增强了小鼠对咸味、苦味和酸味化合物的厌恶反应。对咸味的厌恶反应尤其强烈。总之，我们的结果表明 iNOS 和 NO 可能在炎症相关味觉障碍中发挥作用。