Nitrosative stress plays a role in calcium oxalate stone formation, as nitrosated proteins have been identified in stone formers. Nitric oxide (NO •), the common precursor for reactive nitrogen species, is synthesized in the juxtaglomerular apparatus of the kidneys. The present study is aimed to determine the role of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in an experimental hyperoxaluric condition by histological and biochemical techniques. Hyperoxaluria was induced by 0.75% ethylene glycol in drinking water. L-arginine (L-arg) was supplemented at a dose of 1.25 g/kg body weight orally for 28 days. Nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), protein content in the urine and lipid peroxidation in the kidney were determined at the end of the experimental period. Histopathological examination of the rat kidneys was then carried out. NADPH-diaphorase and eNOS expression studies were carried out in control and hyperoxaluric rat kidneys using histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. Significant amounts of NOx were present in the urine of hyperoxaluric animals when compared to control rats. Histopathological examinations revealed membrane injury, tubular dilatation and edema in the hyperoxaluric rats, whereas co-supplementation of L-arg to the hyperoxaluric rats significantly reduced these changes. The results of histochemical analysis for NADPH-diaphorase staining demonstrate the role of NOS in hyperoxaluric rats. Hyperoxaluric rats showed intense staining for NADPH-diaphorase when compared to control and L-arg co-supplemented hyperoxaluric rats. Immunohistochemical demonstration confirmed that eNOS expression was markedly increased in L-arg supplemented rats, when compared to EG treated rat kidney sections. Thus, from the present study, we conclude that supplementation of L-arg to the hyperoxaluric animals minimizes the cellular injury mediated by ethylene glycol, prevents oxidative/nitrosative damage to the membranes and reduces the incidence of calcium oxalate stone formation. © Springer-Verlag 2005.