Nitric oxide synthase inhibition reverts muscarinic receptor down-regulation induced by pilocarpine- and kainic acid-evoked seizures in rat fronto-parietal cortex.

•Nω-nitro-l-arginine potentiates the convulsant effect of pilocarpine and kainic acid.•Pilocarpine and kainic acid induce the down-regulation of muscarinic receptors.•Pre-treatment with Nω-nitro-l-arginine prevents the reduction of muscarinic receptors induced by pilocarpine.•Pre-treatment with Nω-nitro-l-arginine greatly increase the induction of FGF2 mRNA expression by pilocarpine.