NOS2 and infectious otitis media: The inducible nitrogen oxide synthase (iNOS) producing nitric oxide (NO) is stimulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that iNOS induction is associated with host immunity, and the produced high level of NO could provide host cell toxicity and damage with its free radical.17 In addition, inhibition of COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) is related to suppressed inflammation and pain relief.18 While mRNA expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in colon tissue were the highest in the AOM/DSS control group, treatments of LG, CT, and FCT gradually reduced their mRNA expressions (Figure 2(c)).