Protein expression levels of Arg I and iNOS in the peripheral LNs. Expression of Arg I in the LNs was positive in the (A) control group and strongly positive in the (B) asymptomatic group and (C) symptomatic AIDS group. Expression of iNOS in the LNs was strongly positive in the (D) control group, and positive in the (E) asymptomatic group and (F) symptomatic AIDS group. Arrows indicate positive staining using the Polink-2 plus® Polymer HRP Detection system (magnification, x200). (G and H) Immunohistochemical scores for the expression levels of Arg I and iNOS in the superficial LNs of the control group, asymptomatic group and symptomatic AIDS group. Values are expressed as the mean standard ± deviation from at least three experiments. *P<0.05. Arg, arginase; iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase; LN, lymph node; AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome.