ABSTRACT-Administration of bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) intravenously has been noted to produce a shock state, which is characterized by hypotension and mutli-organ system failure. The aim of the present investigation was to (a) examine the influence of rolipram on hemodynamics, plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) levels, and production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the lungs, ex vivo, in LPS-treated rats, and (b) determine the cardiovascular effects of a selective a1-adrenoceptor agonist, methoxamine, in the absence or presence of rolipram in rats treated with LPS. Blood pressure, cardiac index, heart rate and arterial resistance were assessed in Long-Evans rats anesthetized with thiobutabarbital. Administration of LPS to animals resulted in a significant reduction in cardiac index over time. The administration of LPS to rats resulted in a substantial rise in the plasma levels of TNF-a. Furthermore, the injection of LPS resulted in a significant increase in the iNOS activity in the lungs. Pre-treatment with rolipram prevented the decline in cardiac index in animals that received LPS. Infusion of methoxamine into animals injected with rolipram and pre-treated with LPS did not result in significant changes in cardiac index. Pre-treatment with rolipram or dexamethasone in animals injected with LPS significantly prevented the rise in TNF-a when compared to the respective values in vehicle-treated animals. Our present observations support the view that the cardiac index can be maintained in animals treated with LPS independent of iNOS inhibition.