NOS2 and infection: Inducible NO synthase (iNOS) inhibition by dexamethasone promoted an increase in the survival rate of P. berghei-infected mice and data suggested the participation of oxidative stress in brain as a result of plasmodial infection, as well as the inhibition of brain NO synthesis, which promoted survival rate of almost 90% of the animals until the 15  th day of infection, with possible direct interference of ischemia and reperfusion syndrome, as seen by increased levels of uric acid.